CLEVELAND -- Jim Thome's Hall of Fame tour is coming to Cleveland.
Two weeks after being inducted in Cooperstown and one weekend after being celebrated in Chicago, Thome will be honored by the team he spent 13 seasons of his 22-year career with. Throughout their weekend series with the Baltimore Orioles, the Cleveland Indians will pay tribute to Thome, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as a first-ballot selection last month.
The festivities will kick off following the Indians' Friday night matchup, when they'll host a "Jim Thome themed fireworks celebration." Friday also marks Sugardale Dollar Dog Night with $2 domestic beers in the Right Field District from 5-7 p.m. The first 10,000 fans will receive an Indians yard flag, presented by Progressive.
The celebration will continue on Saturday, with replica versions of Thome's navy Cleveland jersey being given to the first 20,000 fans in attendance, courtesy of Car Parts Warehouse. Prior to the 4:05 p.m. first pitch, the Indians will host a pregame ceremony celebrating Thome's induction, which the 5-time All-Star will attend.
Playing for Cleveland from 1991-2002, as well as an additional season in 2011, Thome hit .287 over the course of his Indians career to go along with a franchise record 337 home runs and 937 RBIs. Throughout the entirety of his career, Thome amassed 612 home runs, a .276 batting average and 1,699 RBIs.
Inducted into Cooperstown with a Cleveland block 'C' on his ballcap, Thome thanked Northeast Ohio during his nearly 20-minute speech.
"What can I say about Cleveland?" Thome said. "My time in Northeast Ohio shaped the person that I am today."