Minnesota Twins' Jim Thome looking strong in MLB Spring Training
Jim Thome has gone through a lot during this offseason and one of his prime concerns is getting back to his feet before the regular league season kicks off in April. The Minnesota Twins’ player has been on a long recovery route from plantar faciitis on his
left foot. The designated hitter came to the camp three days before the official spring training period for the entire squad begins.
Thome has been one of the key players from the mix of Joe Mauer, Francisco Liriano and Justin Morneau to return from injury. On Sunday, Jim wasted no time in registering his influence on the camp. He went straight to the batting cage to prepare for the upcoming
challenge in the American League.
Thome said, "I feel great. I was telling somebody, I think this winter for me was a little different, just in a sense that I got to move around more than normal. My foot finally healed."
The designated hitter signed a one-year deal with the Twins this year, which was worth $3 million. The player smashed 25 home runs during the regular season campaign in 2010. His total tally is up to 589 and there is a lot of hype surrounding his pursuit
for a 600th home run.
However, Thome played down the excitement. He said, "I know from getting close to 500 ... it does intensify it, and gets to the point where the media asks you questions about it. My thing with that is, you can't let it dominate every day."
The player can achieve the magical 600 figure in 2011 if plans to hit like last year. The veteran slugger has a lot to offer to the Twins, even if he’s not present on the field.
"You do your job, you try to win games, you try to do what you can that day to help each other win, and not try to hit homers," Thome said. He added, "You can't try to hit them, because that's when you'll go the other way.”
Thome went on to say that working hard and staying healthy would definitely get the job done next season. Being in top form and letting other things play out is how Jim Thome is looking to head into the 2011 season.
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