MINNEAPOLIS -- Jim Thome is no longer with the Twins, but the celebrated slugger still wanted to show his appreciation to the organization with a special gesture on Tuesday.

Thome, who was traded to the Indians late in the season and is now with the Phillies, expressed his gratitude toward the organization via a conference call during an all-staff meeting at Target Field.

And he kept an old tradition alive, as he sent every member of the front office, including scouts, Minor League staff and grounds crew a personalized autographed copy of a photo from when he hit his 600th home run on Aug. 15. He did the same with the White Sox when he hit No. 500 in 2007.

"It's a pretty special keepsake," Twins president Dave St. Peter said. "And it's just another example of the class act that Thome is."

-Rhett Bollinger minnesota.twins.mlb.com/