Great for Jim, but I just wasn't that excited about it.
I still don't understand why he has a trophy. Great player, a clear hall of famer, but I don't think he should have a statue up. Bob Feller? I totally get it. Won a championship for the city, regarded as not only a hall of famer, but one of the greatest pitchers to ever take the mound. Also gave up many years of his prime to go defend his country in WWII. Totally understand that one.
I think him leaving the way he did also should be a knock against him. Thome said you'd have to rip the jersey off his back for him to leave the Indians, then he blamed his wife when he skipped town. I'm over it, because free agency has gotten a lot more common since then, but I still think it's a bit ridiculous for him to have a statue.
I've been a firm believer that Sandy Alomar has stuck around for as long as he has, because I believe there is an agreement he's taking the team over when Tito decides he wants to retire.
If he can have success as a manager, combined with how good he was with the Indians, maybe one day they can put one up for him.
I'm not trying to rain on Thome, from what I have heard, he's a great guy, and was a great hitter for a pretty long time.
Also, for anyone who has never been to Cooperstown, make the trip. I went when I was 12 and didn't really appreciate anything. I'm not much of a baseball fan anymore outside of watching the Indians, but I still would go again if I could make it work. The town is so cool, the museum itself is just walls and walls of amazing stuff.
