Jim Thome did wonders Wednesday for the White Sox’s advance ticket sales this weekend.
The expectation intensified when Thome swatted his 499th career home run in the Sox’s 7-4 victory over Cleveland. Thome lined Jake Westbrook’s 2-0 pitch inside the right-field foul pole in the fourth inning. He’ll resume his pursuit of No. 500 Friday night against the Los Angeles Angels and former Cleveland teammate Bartolo Colon, whom he has never faced.
“It has been pretty awesome,” Thome said. “I guess it’s kind of reality now. It’s getting close.”
Thome has provided the bulk of the entertainment in an otherwise dismal Sox season. Aside from Mark Buehrle’s no-hitter on April 18, there have been few highlights at U.S. Cellular Field.
Manager Ozzie Guillen hopes his players appreciate Thome’s milestone the same way he appreciated being part of Tom Seaver’s 300th career victory and Dennis Martinez becoming the winningest Latin American pitcher in the majors.
“Every time Thome hits a home run, it makes it easy to come to this room and talk about the game,” Guillen said after the Sox (62-84) avoided a sweep by the first-place Indians.
The Sox’s traditional Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day promotion is Friday, but Thome will be the main attraction.
He admitted he tried to end the suspense by swinging for the fences in his final two Wednesday at-bats. And many fans let out a collective groan when he shattered his bat in the fifth inning, even though the swing produced a two-run single during a three-run rally that expanded the Sox’s lead to 5-1.
“I was trying to get a pitch to drive,” Thome said. “One I almost fouled out of the stadium. There’s a lot of emotion that goes through you. That’s what makes it so tough to do — control your emotions and keep them in, but be ready to hit.”
Thome’s cheering section included his wife, father, daughter and sister.
“My little girl [Lila] was there, jumping around,” Thome said. “I was looking at my dad and my sister. That’s the great thing about baseball. It kind of brings your family together. The tradition … you come together, not only as teammates, but family as well.”
After Thome hit No. 499, fans stood each time he came to the plate and a batboy supplied home plate umpire Gerry Davis with balls that were secretly marked.
Thome and the Sox hope to announce plans soon to reward the fan who retrieves the 500th homer by compensating him or her for the official ball that Thome plans to deliver personally to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Juan Uribe, meanwhile, cranked a solo homer against the Indians, his third in two days. He needs one more to reach 20 for the third time in four seasons.
“This kid can go out there and do some damage,” Guillen said. “The potential he has, he should be better than what he is.”
There’s no question, though, about Thome’s current home run pace. He has hit eight in his last 24 games. Thome is 10-for-23 lifetime against Westbrook, with three homers and 10 RBIs.
The Sox have scheduled a Jim Thome bobblehead promotion for Sunday. Thome wants to hit his 500th homer at U.S. Cellular Field.
“It will be cool,” Thome said. “Hopefully it will happen here. The White Sox fans deserve it.”
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mgonzales@tribune.com
