GaryMrMets
07-06-2004, 01:48 AM
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/s070504a.htm
Thome Phils' lone star
Monday, July 5, 2004
First baseman makes fourth All-Star squad
By JESSICA RYAN
Courier-Post Staff
PHILADELPHIA
Jim Thome remembers playing baseball as a young boy in his backyard and hoping that one day he too would be an all-star.
Sunday, Thome was the lone player of the Phillies to make the All-Star roster.
And even though the Phillies first baseman was selected as an American League All-Star from 1997-99 when he played for the Cleveland Indians, it's still just as special being selected as a reserve on the National League roster for the July 13 game set in Houston, Texas.
"It's nice when you get recognized and people think that highly of you," Thome said. "I've always looked at it as a pleasure and an honor when you get to represent your city."
This will be Thome's first appearance in the All-Star Game as a National League representative and as a Phillie.
Thome is hitting .299 after Sunday's 5-2 win against the Baltimore Orioles. He's hit 27 homers this season, including 15 in the month of June.
"You're only as good as the people around you," Thome said. "Hitting around those guys (Bobby Abreu and Pat Burrell) has been a lot of fun."
Thome is looking forward to a special fun and relaxing three days in Houston.
"It's a time that's very fun for your family and for you to see the best players in the world," he said.
During that three-day span, Thome is also looking at the possibility of participating in the Home Run Derby. He made it to the final in 1998 in Colorado where he came in second to Ken Griffey, Jr.
"They're great," Thome said about the Home Run Derby. "The fans love it and I've had some fun times in them."
Phillies manager Larry Bowa felt as though right fielder Abreu should have been recognized as an All-Star and even went online and voted himself.
"I voted for five guys on our team," Bowa said.
At "The Park": With the win on Sunday, the Phillies have won seven of their last nine home games. They improved their overall home record to 23-18.
In home games, Eric Milton leads the staff with a perfect 6-0 record while Thome leads the club in homers with 15.
Bats are back at home: In their last seven games, the Phillies are hitting .323 (86-266) with 18 doubles, one triple and 13 homers. They've raised their overall average at "The Park" by 15 points from .243 to .258 within the last seven games.
The Phillies have scored 62 runs in the last seven games including 44 runs earlier in the week in their four-game series with the Expos.
It's the first time the Phillies have scored that many runs in a four-game series since 1932 when they scored 49 against the Pirates.
Interleague: The Phillies are 9-8 in Interleague play with just one game remaining, a makeup game against the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 30.
Thome Phils' lone star
Monday, July 5, 2004
First baseman makes fourth All-Star squad
By JESSICA RYAN
Courier-Post Staff
PHILADELPHIA
Jim Thome remembers playing baseball as a young boy in his backyard and hoping that one day he too would be an all-star.
Sunday, Thome was the lone player of the Phillies to make the All-Star roster.
And even though the Phillies first baseman was selected as an American League All-Star from 1997-99 when he played for the Cleveland Indians, it's still just as special being selected as a reserve on the National League roster for the July 13 game set in Houston, Texas.
"It's nice when you get recognized and people think that highly of you," Thome said. "I've always looked at it as a pleasure and an honor when you get to represent your city."
This will be Thome's first appearance in the All-Star Game as a National League representative and as a Phillie.
Thome is hitting .299 after Sunday's 5-2 win against the Baltimore Orioles. He's hit 27 homers this season, including 15 in the month of June.
"You're only as good as the people around you," Thome said. "Hitting around those guys (Bobby Abreu and Pat Burrell) has been a lot of fun."
Thome is looking forward to a special fun and relaxing three days in Houston.
"It's a time that's very fun for your family and for you to see the best players in the world," he said.
During that three-day span, Thome is also looking at the possibility of participating in the Home Run Derby. He made it to the final in 1998 in Colorado where he came in second to Ken Griffey, Jr.
"They're great," Thome said about the Home Run Derby. "The fans love it and I've had some fun times in them."
Phillies manager Larry Bowa felt as though right fielder Abreu should have been recognized as an All-Star and even went online and voted himself.
"I voted for five guys on our team," Bowa said.
At "The Park": With the win on Sunday, the Phillies have won seven of their last nine home games. They improved their overall home record to 23-18.
In home games, Eric Milton leads the staff with a perfect 6-0 record while Thome leads the club in homers with 15.
Bats are back at home: In their last seven games, the Phillies are hitting .323 (86-266) with 18 doubles, one triple and 13 homers. They've raised their overall average at "The Park" by 15 points from .243 to .258 within the last seven games.
The Phillies have scored 62 runs in the last seven games including 44 runs earlier in the week in their four-game series with the Expos.
It's the first time the Phillies have scored that many runs in a four-game series since 1932 when they scored 49 against the Pirates.
Interleague: The Phillies are 9-8 in Interleague play with just one game remaining, a makeup game against the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 30.