Here's to you Jimmer: Master of Mashed 'Taters

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With home run 600 looming in the near future, I found it only fitting to dedicate this post to the man behind the magic. As Jim Thome prepares to join a group only seven other players are a part of, we celebrate one of the classiest, most powerful men behind the bat today.

Michael Cuddyer pitching against the Rangers is definitely one of my top Twins moments, but my hands-down favorite goes to Jim Thome and his 585th home run last Labor Day against the Royals. I was out in the main concourse at Target Field trying to locate a corn dog with my friend when I noticed JimJam was on deck. I found the nearest viewing area, which happened to be next to a couple of 10 year-old boys and their Boys and Girls Club mentor. There, we dangled our arms over the limestone wall in center field (sorry, guys in light blue shirts) and watched the spectacle unfold. 

Thome came up to bat, at which point I exclaimed to the nearest youngster, "hey kid, watch this! He's about to hit that flag pole over there!" He rolled his eyes as he turned to his friends and started laughing, which didn't last long. I almost peed my pants at what happened next. Not only did the guy hit his 585th home run, he'd also hit the flag pole, just as I had predicted. My beer went flying onto a corn dog or two and my crazy Jim Thome Home Run dance ensued. Mushy corn dogs and an empty beer...a small price to pay for one of the most amazing and unforgettable moments of my life!

This weekend I turned to Twitter for some feedback on the Twins' most lethal weapon. "If you could the guy in one word, what would it be? Favorite Thome memory?" Here's some of my favorite replies:

@MorganFox19: He is the definition of a true professional. He represents baseball better than everyone. Favorite memory? Walk off against Chicago.

@Lecroy24Fan: One word: TATERMASHER. Favorite memory is the walkoff vs ChiSox. 

@FroznPondrings: Dangerous. Sitting upper deck in left field watching the flight of his walk-off vs. the White Sox last season.

@dougan36: incredible. Favorite moment hitting the flag pole is right ip there. But just how classy the future HOF. #thomemyhomie

With a little less than a month to go until he celebrates his 20th Anniversary playing in the big leagues, (September 4th, 1991 vs.  Minnesota Twins) Thome has accomplished so much with his (almost) 600 career home runs. Here's a look inside what makes him so special:

In 598 Home Runs:

• Among active players, Thome sits 2nd only to Alex Rodriguez in total home runs scored, and
• 8th on the all-time home run list
• 34HR hit with the Minnesota Twins, 57HR hit against the Twins while on an opposing team.
• 12 home runs have been walk-offs, 57 were game tying, and 167 pushed his team ahead
• 45 games showcased 2 Jim Thome home runs, and in 2 games, Jimmer hit 3HR
• 82 HR hit when the count was 3-2
• 122 HR hit in just 3 pitches, 33HR hit with 7+ pitches
• 3.51% of Thome's total HR's were hit at Target Field. Compare that to Jacobs Field at 31.1%. Don't worry Twins Fans, that's still 10 MORE home runs than what he's hit at Yankee Stadium. If we add HR hit at the Metrodome, Thome's Total HRs  in Minnesota Jumps to 8.1 % of all home runs hit.
• Thome homers have been hit in 38 ballparks
• Thome has hit 9HR off of Rick Reed, followed by 8HR off Roger Clemens and 7HR off of Justin Verlander
• 485HR off RHP and 113 off LHP
• The 4th inning is Jimmer's power inning. 87 homers were hit in th 4th, followed by 76 in the 1st.
• Fan favorite HR: 8/17/10 12th career walk-off home run, tying Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth (to name a few) for most walk-off HR's.
• 1st HR of his Major League Career: 10/4/91 Cleveland vs. Yankees off of Steve Farr
• 500th HR: 9/16/2007 (walk-off) White Sox vs. Angels
• 598th HR: 8/4/2011 vs. Angels (Dan Haren, P)

When the moment arrives, it is sure to be pure magic. Congratulations, Jimmer.