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Chicago White Sox honor Hall of Famer Jim Thome

Manager Rick Renteria likes to say the Chicago White Sox learn from playing quality teams like the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians, whom they faced in back-to-back series on their current homestand.

The rebuilding Sox got another lesson Saturday night, when new Hall of Famer Jim Thome was honored before their game against the Indians.

Thome's former White Sox teammate Mark Buehrle, who ranks sixth in franchise history with 161 wins, also was part of the on-field pregame ceremony.

"These are guys that have shown you, in their time at the major-league level, how elite they were," Renteria said. "It's important for everybody to understand that they were a huge impact to this organization as a whole and a huge impact to the game of baseball in general.

"It's nice to be able to have them around and talk to these guys. They certainly appreciate everything they had and the opportunities that were given to them and that they earned as they continued to battle through their careers. It's something for these guys to take note of and use and appreciate and be thankful that we have guys that are willing to come around and share their experiences and thoughts."

Thome has been busy for weeks, and he is still trying to completely grasp the significance of being inducted, on the first ballot, into the Hall of Fame two weeks ago.

While he spent the majority of his career with Cleveland, Thome played for the Sox from 2006-09 and hit 134 of his 612 career home runs with them.

"I look forward to tonight," Thome said before being honored at Guaranteed Rate Field. "This is so special. This is my family, this is where I work, this is where we live. I think you all know my relationship with Mr. (Jerry) Reinsdorf. This is really special.

"Next weekend's going to be in Cleveland, which will be incredibly special there. And then Minnesota, we look forward to Minnesota, that journey we went through at that time.

"It's all very cool, but maybe when it's all done you sit back and you go, 'Wow. This really happened over the last month and a half.' "

Thome played for the Indians, Phillies, White Sox, Dodgers, Twins and Orioles over his 22-year career.

Since July 2, 2013, the Peoria native and Burr Ridge resident has been a special assistant with the Sox.

"I look forward to getting back in town and seeing our young, great prospects," Thome said. "I'm going to Instructional League, I look forward to that, that's always one of the highlights.

"The draft is another one of my highlights. And just sitting with Kenny (Williams) and Rick (Hahn) and Jerry and discussing all the things and how this organization is going to go forward, to be a part of that is very special.

"They've given me the opportunity to be around the game in that capacity, which I've got to say is very fun. I really have enjoyed it."

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