HR0777 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0777 LRB100 18463 ALS 33678 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Jim Thome on his election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Jim Thome grew up on the South Side of Peoria and played baseball in the West Peoria program; he attended Limestone Community High School in Bartonville, where he received All-State honors as a shortstop; and

WHEREAS, After his high school graduation, Jim Thome played baseball at Illinois Central College, where he was drafted in the 13th round by the Cleveland Indians in 1989; he rose quickly through the minor leagues and got his first call to the majors in September 1991; he would go onto play 22 seasons, 13 with the Indians, before his retirement; a third baseman for his first six seasons, he moved to first base and later became primarily a designated hitter; in 2014, the Indians erected a statue of him, which greets fans on the plaza just beyond the centerfield gates at Progressive Field in Cleveland; and

WHEREAS, Jim Thome retired after the 2012 season; during his career, he accumulated a .276 batting average, 2,328 hits, 1,699 RBI, and 612 home runs, the eighth most in baseball history; he reached the postseason ten times and hit 17 home runs, which tied him for seventh all-time; and

WHEREAS, During his career, Jim Thome earned the Silver Slugger Award, American League Comeback Player of the Year, and the Roberto Clemente Award; he was also elected to five all-Star game rosters; and

WHEREAS, Jim Thome is one of only 54 first ballot Hall of Fame players; he and his wife, Andrea, live in suburban Chicago with their children, Lila and Landon; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Jim Thome on his election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, in his first year of eligibility, and we recognize his long, successful career; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Jim Thome a symbol of our esteem and respect.