Former MLB star Jim Thome, one of the most feared sluggers of his time, is actually said to be a very nice person outside of the diamond.
The 51-year-old was enjoying retirement (and a place in the National Baseball Hall of Fame), but he will now have a big responsibility in his hands: being a baseball ambassador.
The MLBPAA (no, it’s not the Players Association!) announced him as their new president.
MLBPAA means Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association.
The organization, according to its official website, has the intention “to promote the game of baseball, raise money for charity, inspire and educate youth through positive sport images and protect the dignity of the game through former players.”
Thome Will Have Big Shoes To Fill
Thome fits the job description, as it’s hard to think of someone better to promote the game of baseball and educating young audiences about the game.
“We are thrilled to announce Jim Thome as our new president! Jim will assume the duties of president immediately under the guidance of former president Brooks Robinson,” the MLBPAA wrote via Twitter.
We are thrilled to announce Jim Thome as our new president! Jim will assume the duties of president immediately under the guidance of former president Brooks Robinson. pic.twitter.com/LdBEQNDXKb
— MLBPAA (@MLBPAA) February 23, 2022
The MLBPAA has its headquarters in Colorado Springs and has almost 9,000 members at the moment.
Some of the members are “former and current Major League players, umpires, managers, coaches, front-office personnel and fans.”
Before Thome’s arrival, Robinson guided the MLBPAA with Bob Boone, George Brett, Carl Erskine, Chipper Jones, Barry Larkin, Edgar Martinez and Robin Yount presiding as Vice Presidents.
Thome was one of the most successful sluggers of the 1990s and 2000s.
He retired with 612 home runs, one of the few members of the 600-home run club.
In 2018, he was voted to the Hall of Fame as a first-ballot newcomer.
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