Knowing that this may very well likely be the final week Thome will ever wear an MLB uniform again, the Indians did something extraordinary to honor him: they revealed plans to erect a statue in center field near Heritage Park, where he hit the longest home run in Jacobs/Progressive Field history at 511 feet. The statue will have him in an Indians uniform, with his signature high socks, pointing his bat out to right field, a gesture he borrowed from the character "The Whammer" (who was modeled after Babe Ruth) in the film The Natural.
It was a stunning moment not just for Thome, but for the crowd in attendance as well. Almost 37,000 fans were in awe when the statue was first revealed, which quickly turned to cheers, and a standing ovation. This is an unprecedented moment not just in Cleveland sports, but baseball history as well. I cannot think of another time when an active player in any sport was honored with a statue at their respective teams stadium; only one stands in Cleveland, and that is for the late great Bob Feller.
My initial reaction to the statue was positive. Thome was a huge part of the Indians success in the '90's; in a 2003 poll, Thome was voted the most popular sports figure in Cleveland history. He was the cause of the "socks up" rally that dominated the late '97 season and post-season. This is not to mention the numerous benefits, charities, and donations he made to Cleveland foundations over the years. The idea of honoring him with something more than just a retired number seemed like a given, and a statue was, it seems, a clear choice for the Indians organization.
But, after having it sink in for a few innings, and after, my initial thought began to wander. The only two sports figures, that I can think of at least, that have their own statues in Cleveland are Bob Feller, and Jesse Owens. Both men, in their respective sports and in different ways, are not just great athletes, but American heroes. Owens overcame the tribulation of race and hatred during the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, where Hitler was determined to show the "superiority" of the white race. Owens won four gold medals that summer and is arguably the best athlete in history. Feller signed up for active duty in the U.S. Military on December 8, 1941, becoming the first athlete to do so after the attacks on Pearl Harbor the previous day. He sacrificed four years of the prime of his career to serve his country, losing out on statistics that, barring injuries, with consistency, could have gotten him another 100 wins, or so.
Feller is the more important story for Cleveland here. Not to discount Owens achievements, but there are numerous memorials for him around the country. Also, he attended Ohio State University, not exactly close to Cleveland, Ohio. Feller, although born in Iowa, was, and always will be, a Clevelander. He spent his entire 18 year career in an Indians uniform, and was an active figure in the club right up until his passing in December. Honoring him with a statue outside of the stadium was the right and honorable thing to do.
 |
| Thome thanking the fans at the ceremony. |
I suppose one of the main reasons the Indians honored Thome with the statue is that Thome was considered, during the prime of his career, a sort of successor to Feller. Both were born and bred on farm houses; both were discovered by the Indians, and grew up right before Cleveland's eyes. Of course, the biggest difference is that Thome left, and Feller stayed.
But this is not as big a deal to me as it is to many in Cleveland. After the 2002 season, Thome asked the Indians for a 6 year deal. This would have essentially been his last contract, enabling him to retire at the end of the 2008 season, if he so desired, or ask for another 3-4 year contract, for less money. The Indians offered him 5 years/$60 million, and refused to budge. Thome decided to sign with the Phillies instead. Granted, they offered him $15 million dollars more than the Indians, with the 6 years he wanted, but I put just as much blame on the Indians for not giving him the extra year as I do for Thome leaving. Back at his first press conference with the Phillies, he was visibly shaken by not being with the Indians, coming to tears at several points. I always respected Thome, and welcomed him back with cheers every time he returned to Cleveland, whatever uniform was on his back.
In a way, I think it's difficult to justify honoring Thome with a statue, when his number is not even retired yet. Of course, there's no doubt that will happen almost immediately after he retires, but still. It also is kind of a slap in the face to the other great players the Indians had in the '90's. One could argue that Sandy Alomar, Jr. had just as much of an impact on the Indians as Thome. Alomar was, after all, the MVP of the 1997 All-Star Game, which was held in Cleveland. Ironically enough, Thome was in the Home Run Derby that year. He didn't hit a single one out. Alomar now resides as the first base coach for the Tribe, and (wouldn't this be something?) has hinted at the idea of being a manager one day.
Don't forget about Omar Vizquel, arguably the best defensive shortstop in the history of baseball this side of "The Wizard", Ozzie Smith. Or Kenny Lofton, who thrilled the fans with his awesome speed night after night. Who could ever forget him stealing second base, then proceeding to score from second on a passed ball two pitches later, in Game 6 of the 1995 ALCS? Even Manny Ramirez, who, granted, probably wouldn't be welcome in any ballpark at this point, displayed one of the sweetest swings in all of baseball, beginning at the tender age of 21.
The list goes on. Albert Belle ("I've got your power right here!"), Roberto Alomar (part of the best 2B-SS defensive duo probably, ever), Orel Hershiser ("Take that! Take that!"), Jose Mesa (His saves, and blown saves...), Eddie Murray (getting hit #3,000), Carlos Baerga (all those chains!). Even good ol' Wayne Kirby, who maybe didn't have as big an impact these other players did, but can say for the rest of his life that, in a stadium where walk-off wins make up a part of its history, he had the first, in the first ever regular season game played at Jacobs/Progressive Field.
I could argue that many of those players deserve a statue in Progressive Field as well. This is in no way to discount what Thome did for the Indians, but how can someone like Kenny Lofton feel? Or Omar, who was probably the fan favorite for all the years he was here. He was never booed when he left, and still gets cheers every time he comes back. In a way, the statue almost felt a little like an apology to the years of boos Thome recieved when he came back, rather than a thank you.
Also, to me, statues are reserved for the true legends of the game. Feller was that without a doubt in anyone's mind. Can we truly, without conviction, say the same about Thome? Can we justify having a statue of Thome, and not of say, Frank Robinson, who in 1975, became the first African-American manager in baseball? Or Larry Doby, who was the first African-American ballplayer in the American League? That list of Indians legends could go on for hours.
But, I really cannot sit here and say it's "wrong" to give Thome a statue. Maybe I'm also overanalyzing it a bit. He will no doubt be remembered as one of the greatest Indians in history, and will be remembered as a slugger who, in a time when steroids were a huge part of the game, played the game the honorable way. He's the kind of hero Cleveland needs at this point, and one that we can look up to for the many years to come. Unlike the Feller and Owens statues though, Thome's is not a definitive 'yes', but a resounding 'oh, that's nice'.
What do you think of the Thome statue? Is it a good idea, a bad one, too soon, or the perfect send off?
