In a sports world that is increasingly about money I’ve always been a fan of the Indian’s Jim Thome — he’s a guy that just loves playing, and more importantly loves playing for the fans in Cleveland. An interview in the Cleveland Plain Dealer makes me respect the guy even more. Some interview highlights:
Q. Favorite player outside the Indians clubhouse?
A. Beyond the guys I’m close to in the game, like Richie Sexson, I’d say Shea Hillenbrand of the Red Sox… He’d be on my All-Animal Team any day.
Q. All-Animal Team?
A. Yeah, you know, guys who are wild men on the field, crashing into walls and always getting dirty. Animals.
Q. You are driving a new Hummer. Why the Hummer?
A. It’s a manly car. It’s green and I can take it in the woods and, you know, run over trees.
Q. If you were commissioner for a day, what is the first change you would make?
A. Have an off-day every week and play a doubleheader on Sunday. Players get a regular day off, and fans get to see two games for the price of one.