One Hall of an argument

Readers have their say

Thome might become a shoo-in

Jim Thome is not done yet. He has two more potential years on the White Sox alone.

He is still putting up good power numbers from the left side, a perfect DH scenario. It is not inconceivable that he hits another 100 home runs, at which point he becomes a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame.

Yes, he hasn't had MVP years at first base, but there was stiff competition.

However, as so many managers and teammates have stated, he plays the game right and deserves the accolades.

Hans Albers

Roselle

Thome epitomizes a Hall of Famer

How do you define a Hall of Famer? You base your decision on a person's talents, both on the field and with their peers.

I feel that we've seen many reasons why Jim Thome deserves to be on that elite list of Hall of Famers. Not only has he done something in his baseball career that very few have accomplished in getting 500 home runs, he's shown that he plays from the heart.

He's a role model to all kids and a teammate who many players call a friend. He plays with heart and soul and gives his all with each and every bat he takes.

Not many men in baseball signify the meaning of a Hall of Famer, but the White Sox are truly blessed to have such an excellent example on their team named Jim Thome.

His presence on the field and off has left no doubt in anyone's mind that Thome belongs in the Hall of Fame.

Thanks Jim for making the 2007 season so special. May your "Field of Dreams" lead you to the ultimate home run, a place in Cooperstown!

Paula Ellison

North Aurora

Looking back on Thome's career

Jim Thome should no doubt be a Hall of Famer. As a lifetime White Sox fan, I've seen him kill us for many years. We saw first-hand how he can destroy a team with his bat.

Many people must not remember that Thome has only been a DH for the past couple of years. In Cleveland and Philadelphia, he played first base on a daily basis.

Also, in what is considered the steroid era, nobody ever associated the good ol' country boy from Peoria to be a user.

Anthony Caponigri

Addison

Was Thome ever the best at position?

If Jim's Thome's numbers add up when his career is over, he should get in. I have always felt that to get in the Hall of Fame you needed to be the best at your position at least a couple of times during your career. I am not sure Jim has been there.

Also, there are too many guys not in the Hall of Fame who were (e.g. Andre Dawson, Ted Kluszewski, Ron Santo, Fred Lynn etc.).

Larry Eichman

Addison

Let's focus on Santo, not Thome

I'd find it very hard to induct a DH for the latter part of his career into the Hall of Fame, especially with a person so much more deserving on the other side of town,

Ron Santo is the epitome of Chicago baseball and just as much a likable guy, but as we have seen over the years, being likable does not get you into the Hall of Fame.

I do not want to take anything away from Thome's career -- it has been outstanding. But for someone who does not play a defensive position and only bats, I do not find this as being able to be rewarded a spot in the Hall of Fame. Who's next, Frank Thomas?

Again, the first 5-10 years were great, but of those years still not deserving of the Hall, this should be based on a career, not a few years or 500 home runs.

John Bell

Waukegan

Clarification note: In 17 seasons, Thome has been involved in 9,417 putouts and 1,563 assists with 1,594 games at first or third. In 15 seasons, Santo collected 2,100 put outs and 4,717 assists with 2,130 games at third and 2,201 overall. Thome's career fielding percentage is .988, and Santo's is .954. Santo's career BA is .277 with 342 HR and 1,331 RBI. Thome's career BA is .281 with 503 HR and 1,392 RBI through Saturday.

Voting early and often for Thome

Jim Thome most definitely should be in the Hall of Fame. Less than 1 percent of major-league players have done/will do what he has accomplished. That's amazing in and of itself.

He is truly one of the "good guys" in a league of over-priced, ego-inflated players. He plays for the love of the game and for the fans.

If I were a resident of Chicago (and a voting member of the Hall), I would vote early and vote often for Jim Thome.

Michael Ryba

Naperville

Being a phony DH disqualifies Thome

Just because someone hits 500 home runs … if his only position was the phony DH -- where a player sits warming a spot on the bench and gets up three or four times a game to try to hit a ball but never touches the ball, fields it, throws it -- and yet he's called a ballplayer.

I don't think that's a Hall of Famer, certainly not in the same league as Babe Ruth. I can't believe the American League is still using 10 men to play a nine-man game. That's not how the original game was developed and played, and it's time they go back to the real thing.

Ray Godfrey

Hoffman Estates

Be patient with promising Hawks

What's my assessment of the Blackhawks' roster? Promising, yet fragile.

• Martin Havlat and Tuomo Ruutu must stay healthy!

• Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are the real deal but not saviors.

• Nikolai Khabibulin absolutely has to play like the highest-paid goalie in the NHL.

• A green "D" has to ripen.

• Some young forwards not named Kane/Toews have to step up.

• Most important, Wirtzford (Bill Wirtz and Bob Pulford) has to be patient. This team didn't sink to the bottom of the sewage tank in two or three years, and it's going to take at least that long for them to come back, and that's if they push the right buttons!

T.A. Rosenthal

Dorsey, IL