Hall of Famer Jim Thome is coaching his son Landon, a freshman second baseman at Nazareth, this spring as the Roadrunners seek to defend their Class 3A title. One player that the Roadrunners are excited to have back is LHP. While Thome is mainly known for his time with the Cleveland Indians, he later played for several other teams in the latter half of his career, including the Chicago White Sox. Roadrunners | Nazareth Academy Athletics Website. Jim Thome played in the major leagues from 1991-2012. and a trip to the Hall of Fame for his trouble. Support Nazareth. Jim Thome, back in uniform as an assistant at Nazareth, prepares to coach his son in the state semis Chicago S-T 38 minutes ago 0 shares 1 views Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest Email Jim Thome, back in uniform as an assistant at Nazareth, prepares to coach his son in the state semis Published 38 minutes ago Full Article You might like Powered by: 8to18 Media, Inc. Nazareth Academy. He hit .379 last season with a .479 OBP, 10 doubles, four home runs, 34 RBIs and 38 runs. Nazareth Academy? Quote Tweet. Jim Thome first-ballot Hall of Famer, 22-year MLB veteran, five-time All-Star, owner of 612 career home runs to rank eighth all-time wears the Naz uniform proudly as a member of the teams coaching staff. Lucas Smith texted me after we lost and said, Is it time to panic yet? Milano said. He then joined the Chicago White Sox staff as a special assistant to general manager Rick Hahn. CLEVELAND GUARDIANS Jim Thome part of baseball coaching staff at Illinois high school his son attends Anthony Gharib USA TODAY 0:00 0:30 Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Thome is back making an impact on the diamond more than 10 years since his final major league game. Jim Thome, back in uniform as an assistant at - One News Page Tree-stump legs covered in old-time stirrup socks that meet his Nazareth Academy baseball pants just below the knee. I have to remind the kids, this is a first-ballot Hall of Famer we have in our dugout and our practices., As much as Thomes ability to teach the game, Milano appreciates his willingness to share his wealth of experience at the highest levels, telling us about facing Randy Johnson and Justin Verlander, and sitting down and having dinner with Joe Torre and Buck Showalter.. Regardless, its a new year and Nazareth will have to go out and do it on the field once again. Relax. A state tournament is a big stage for a high school freshman, but Landon was up to it. I try to simplify it for him, Jim Thome said. He's also the son of MLB Hall of Famer Jim Thome. A sua casa de praia no Farol de So Thom! The Roadrunners are primed for another strong year, returning virtually everyone from their State Title team, except now a year older and with more experience. 5 Huntley, Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. The Nazareth 2022 season was a special, potentially unexpected year, depending on who you ask. . Ive told my wife weve talked about this, things go very quick with your kids, right? Still, he finds time to coach his son, the starting second baseman for Nazareth (34-6) which beat Graysake Central 7-2 to win consecutive state championships at Duly Health & Care Field. Naz is blessed!! Its right up there, he said, smiling as a celebration unspooled around him. Everyone else on the roster is seemingly a year older now with invaluable playoff and state final experience under their belt. theres nothing better. Cox hit .358 with an OBP of .492 and 13 doubles in 2022. The moment, Thome said, was a match for any hed experienced as one of baseballs great players and most exemplary citizens. 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Jim Thome played in the major leagues from 1991-2012, earning five All-Star nods and a trip to the Hall of Fame for his trouble. 7 Mundelein, Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 4 Lincoln-Way West, Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. Jim Mattson on Twitter: "Jim Thome is going to the State Championship Jim Thome, back in uniform as Nazareth assistant, prepares to coach son They have the arms to get through a tough one-and-done playoff scenario. With his recent job, he seems to be inching toward one day manning a clubhouse himself. Fiore and Reifsteck, the No. That, plus notes on Lyons and more from Bob Narang. Nazareth played five seniors at state but have 10 players signed or verbally committed for college baseball, five to NCAA Division I programs seniors Brabham (Morton), Sebastian Gutierrez (Parkland), Sam Wampler (St. Ambrose), Joey Bennett (Aurora) and Redmond Murphy (Central); junior Lucas Smith (Illinois-Chicago); sophomores Nick Drtina (Louisville), John Hughes (North Carolina) and Cooper Malamazian (Indiana); and freshman Jaden Fauske (Louisville). Landon Thome savors Nazareth's state title. Having his dad, Jim Thome Instead, Thome is coaching his son, Landon, a freshman second baseman at Nazareth Academy High School in LaGrange Park, Illinois, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Jim Thome, back in uniform as Nazareth assistant, prepares - Flipboard Nazareth assistant coach Jim Thome and his son, 2nd baseman Landon Thome are semi-final winners and onto the IHSA 3A Title Game. Jim Thom poses with his family at the 2019 MLB Red Carpet Show. Nazareth Academy Baseball on Twitter: "Jim Thome, back in uniform as an 'Stay in the moment. Nazareth's Landon Thome wins state title with dad, Jim Thome 2 Nazareth Academy, Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. Everything you need to know about our upcoming trip to Normal next Tuesday. While the Cubs in a sense are the more frustrating of the two teams, the situation is much more complicated on the South Side. Nazareth Academy Baseball (@Baseball_Naz) / Twitter The Roadrunners are also plenty deep on the mound with all kinds of high-end talent as well. A legacy and career as strong as Jim's in baseball makes it difficult for anyone to live up to, let alone his son. Hed gone through the ritual in two World Series, 15 other postseason events, five All-Star games and 22 Opening Days. You see their eyes light up and just the stories of telling them about the big leagues, these kids are very smart. 2023 www.pjstar.com. 14 Lockport Township, Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. He also added four doubles and 19 RBIs as well. a 29-year-old former White Sox draft choice out of Nazareth Academy who batted .326 for the Phillies' Class AA Reading club . Crains contributor Dan McGrath is president of Leo High School in Chicago and a former Chicago Tribune sports editor. OMeara came out of the bullpen in the state championship game last spring and did not allow a hit while striking out three in 1.2 innings pitched. More than 10 years since he played in his last MLB game, Jim Thome has returned to the game. Crain's contributor Dan McGrath is president of Leo High School in Chicago and a former Chicago Tribune sports editor. The Roadrunners finished second in 2015, third in 2018 and 2012 and fourth in 2011 also with a program best 34-7 record. Obviously, Im a parent as well, Thome said. The Roadrunners wont forget their 6-5 sectional semifinal victory over Lemont after trailing 5-0 and down to their last strike five times. Hes also a studio analyst for the MLB Network and serves as president of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association. They concluded with a program best 17-game winning streak. Read up on some of the players that stood out to our scouting staff from this past weekend's Illinois Evolution Series. can all play first base if they are not needed on the mound or in the outfield. One of the lone seniors on the roster, RHP. Kouris has a 6-foot-2, 195-pound, physical frame and strong arm that we have seen sit 84-86 mph in the past. Polling Place: Did Northwestern do the right thing in firing football coach Pat Fitzgerald? OMeara, still uncommitted, has ran his fastball up to 87 mph in front of us and he registered a 1.58 ERA in 35.1 innings pitched in 2022. Hughes has seen time on varsity since he was a freshman, but missed a good chunk of last year due to injury. Jun 13, 2022. Nazareth Academy - Faculty / Staff Directory And then I work two or three times a month at the [MLB] network in New York, so Im all baseball.. Yet another name to keep an eye on is recent transfer INF/RHP Andrew Kouris who has above-average tools for a sophomore and has a strong arm on the mound as well. Where they are at, at the high school level, if you can help them in little things of their game, if they go on to college, and one thing has improved, we can give them that will help them, thats what its about. We play for all of the young kids that watch and cheer us on and want to be a Roadrunner. Moments after the Roadrunners 5-1 championship victory in the IHSA Class 3A state finals over Chatham Glenwood in Joliet, Nazareth coach Lee Milano again referenced the midseason story he told his players about buffalo and cattle. And watching that process, that journey youve got to embrace every moment with your kids and enjoy it. Another left-hander on staff who was bitten by the injury bug last year is junior Luca Fiore. Ive got to say he works extremely hard. Shortly after Nazareth won its second straight Class 3A state title on June 10, freshman second baseman Landon Thome posed for photos with the championship trophy. As someone who has talked to Thome on many occasions about baseball, I can verify this knowledgeable impact. While hes yet to achieve the slugger level his father did in MLB, Landon is batting .330, with 25 RBI and eight doubles for the defending Class 3A champion Roadrunners. White Sox Special Assistant Jim Thome, a five-time All Star player, will serve up frothy margaritas and other libations with a smile during Guest Bartender Night at Cine, 29 E. In the middle of a deep run, the high school team is now two wins away from winning its second-consecutive Class 3A championship with Landon, who is batting .330 with 25 RBIs and 26 runs scored. Hes a young kid that really loves to play the game and has been given an unbelievable opportunity around a ton of great players., Guardians news:The Guardians' duo of rookies in the rotation are pushing the issue for the veterans. Illinois Baseball News | Prep Baseball Report Tournaments News Draft HQ Players Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. Jim Thome, back in uniform as an assistant at Nazareth, prepares to Jim Thome is going to the State Championship! Nazareth Academy? The Roadrunners broke a scoreless tie with five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning behind runs batted in from sophomore Luca Fiore (single), Reifsteck (single), Brabham (sacrifice fly) and Drtina (single) and a two-out delayed double steal with Drtina and Malamazian from third. Frosh/Soph: 3:00pm-6:00pm Valenta Stadium, Boys Golf (V/FS)- Monday + Tuesday, August 7 + 8, ** tryout fee of $35.00 (18 holes) for each tryout date, Girls Golf (V/JV)- Tuesday + Wednesday, August 8 + 9, Boys Soccer (all levels)-Monday, August 7, 5:00pm-8:00pm John Michalek Field/Valenta Stadium, Boys Cross Country (V/JV)- Monday,August 7, 8:00am-10:00am West gate of Valenta Stadium (by gazebo), Girls Cross Country (V/JV) - Monday,August 7, 8:30am-10:00am West gate of Valenta Stadium (by gazebo), Girls Tennis - Monday - Friday,August 7-11, Varsity: 9:00am-12:00pm Nazareth Tennis Courts, JV: 3:00pm-5:00pm Nazareth Tennis Courts, Girls Volleyball - Monday - Wednesday, August 7-9, Incoming 9th + 10th graders: 3:00pm-5:00pm Rooney Gym, 11th + 12th graders (and/or returning varsity players): 12:30pm-2:30pm Rooney Gym, Sideline Cheer (V/JV) - Tuesday, August 8, Current IHSA physical must be on file before August 7. OMeara came out of the bullpen in the state championship game last spring and did not allow a hit while striking out three in 1.2 innings pitched. Dan McGrath: Is it over yet? That same philosophy rings true for Thomes work with Nazareth Academy baseball, where his son, Landon, is a freshman playing for an Illinois high school championship varsity program. I just went with an approach to stick the bat out and [the ball] went between first and second, Fiore said. His message was more mental/psychological than tactical/technical. Cox went 2-0 in 2022 with a final line of 31 IP, 19 H, 7 ER, 17 BB, 38 K, and a 1.58 ERA. Thome concluded his impressive career with 1,699 RBIs over 2,543 games with a slash line of .276/.402/.554. Andsubscribeto get it regularly in your inbox. After retiring from baseball in 2012, Jim joined the Chicago White Sox staff as a special assistant to general manager Rick Hahn. Jim Thome coaching son in baseball at Illinois high school Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. This time in my life, Im very fortunate, right? Thome told MLB.com during an interview before the start of the 2023 Major League Baseball season. ", If you give a kid some insight and he has a little success, then you see a smile on his face . Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), The Nazareth Academy baseball team took home its first-ever IHSA state baseball championship on June 11, topping Chatham Glenwood 5-1 in the finals. Just watching that last strike is something you always dream of. Reds' hype star is Rookie of the Year favorite after two M Mets appear open for business as sellers and big names might not be safe, Is All-Star righty Mets' future ace? Fauskeand sophomore Collin Roche should also do the majority of the catching throughout the year. Thompson is yet another talented young bat the Roadrunners will have at their disposal this coming spring. Jim Thome poses with his family during the MLB Red Carpet Show in 2019. They let me be around Landons game, and watching him, and Im very thankful that theyve done that to give me the opportunity.. Illinois Baseball News | Prep Baseball Report Jim Thome returns to the diamond, coaching son's team He said embrace the moment. This time around, he is primed and ready to impact the top of the staff. I just wanted to meet him, McCormick said. Ted Piton Jim Thome is a busy guy these days. Dont panic. And we won 17 in a row and won it all., Five-run fifth inning ices 17th straight win for Nazareth Academy. He toed the rubber in the state championship game and earned a win, tallying 61.1 innings in total this spring. Jim Thome returns to the diamond, coaching son's team RHP. Jim Thome, back in uniform as an assistant at Nazareth, prepares to coach his son . Jos Tom is on Facebook. Once he retired, Jim made his aspirations clear about possibly becoming a manager. I try to simplify it for him, the older Thome said. 2,582 were here. He also runs his fastball into the upper-80s and he struck out 26 in 18.2 innings pitched. Fiore has a loose, lively arm with the ability to spin the baseball at an above-average clip. I try to simplify it for him, Ive got to say he works extremely hard. The Louisville commit earned Second-Team All-State Honors after racking up 12 wins and breaking a 25-year school record at Nazareth in the process. Last August, as Thome watched the Houston Astros take batting practice before a game at Guaranteed Rate Field, Astros outfielder Chas McCormick sought him out for a handshake and a moment. Coxshould impact the lineup everyday, while also being one of the top arms. Cheri Foster @CheriFo32315736 . All rights reserved. Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. The five-time All-Star is president of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association and an analyst for MLB Network. And as his dad, Im really, really proud of him. I feel totally blessed to be able to do this with my son and these kids. Hes expected to make a full recovery. First discovered around 1470, So Tom was not officially settled until the 1490s by Portuguese explorer Alvaro Caminha, who received the island as a land grant from the Portuguese Crown. MLB Photo (via Getty Images) The high school team is in the midst of a good run and is two wins away from winning its second straight Class 3A title with Landon batting .330 with 25 RBI and 26 RBI. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Fauske, one of the top prospects in the 2025 class, ended up hitting .393 in 61 at-bats with 13 walks and only five strikeouts as a freshman. Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Thomeis back making an impact on the diamond more than 10 years since his final major league game. Jim Thome. The left-handed hitter has shown an extremely mature approach at the plate in previous looks with impressive bat to ball skills, and his present ability looks to be able to make a varsity impact immediately. He became an assistant coach for Nazareth this spring, calling it "a lot of fun" and "special." For his part, Thome is loving his new role. Smith is a table setter in their lineup, plays with an edge, likes the big moment and is a well above-average defensive center fielder. I grew up in the Philly area, and Jim Thome was my favorite player.. (BILL STONE/Contributor), Tornado tears through suburbs, narrowly missing Brookfield, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. On the mound he has a heavy, sinking fastball that sits in the upper-80s with a tight slider. Home - Nazareth Academy High School With Hughes back and healthy, he adds some high-level depth to the defending 3A State Champions and will likely be relied on heavily to lead the staff - and if he can produce the way he has shown he is capable of, the Roadrunners will have a true workhorse to rely on down the stretch. Jim Thome played in the major leagues from 1991-2012,earning five All-Star nodsand a trip to the Hall of Fame for his trouble. Positionally, they look as strong as last year with senior CF Lucas Smith headlining the group. Following his illustrious playing career, he joined the White Sox as general manager Rick Hahns special assistant before taking his assistant coaching role at Nazareth. He is now an assistant coach for his son Landon's high school baseball team. 4 player in the state, has a well above-average skillset to pair with MLB bloodlines. Over the next two weeks, leading up to opening day, well be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2023 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, counting down through the official PBR Illinois Preseason Power 25 Rankings. Jim Thome. He toed the rubber in the state championship game and earned a win, tallying 61.1 innings in total this spring. He has a batting average of .330 with 25 RBIs and 26 runs. This time around, he is primed and ready to impact the top of the staff. 08 Jun 2023 20:17:20 Thompson is yet another talented young bat the Roadrunners will have at their disposal this coming spring. Its insane. Jim Thome coaching his son's team at Nazareth Academy | Crain's Chicago This story was excerpted from Scott Merkins White Sox Beat newsletter. Smith stood out all of 2022 for the Roadrunners and earned Third-Team All-State Honors. These days Thome splits his time between several jobs. Powered by: 8to18 Media, Inc. Nazareth Academy. The Hall of Famer and former White Sox slugger is a special assistant to Sox general manager Rick Hahn, president of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association and part of the MLB Network broadcast team. Whoever came up with country strong as a description for Jim Thome should know the label still fits. The first name to mention is RHP/1B. But he has no regrets about adding another line to his resume this spring: assistant baseball coach at Nazareth. Another turning point came May 3. We had an idea they would be a team to watch, putting them at No. 11 Providence Catholic, Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. Jim Thome is back in blue and playing for gold. Site By: PUREi, Two youngsters to keep an eye out for this spring are INF. Please scan and email updated physicals to Kim Connell at. The 52-year-old Peoria native and Baseball Hall of Famer was in a baseball uniform this weekend as an assistant for LaGrange Park Nazareth,. Thome also holds the role of president of the MLB Players Alumni Association and works as an analyst for MLB Network. 1209 W. Ogden Avenue, La Grange Park IL 60526. Not when the old days were more fun. And obviously, the toughest was Randy Johnson. Looking at this Roadrunner squad on paper there are not many weaknesses or holes to fill. With Hughes back and healthy, he adds some high-level depth to the defending 3A State Champions and will likely be relied on heavily to lead the staff - and if he can produce the way he has shown he is capable of, the Roadrunners will have a true workhorse to rely on down the stretch. They are seen by the U.S. as a way to help bolster Ukraine in its offensive. Assistant Varsity: Michael Bowden. From L to R Jim Thome first ballot MLB HOF Rudy Luna - 7 year assistant Michael Bowden 1st round draft former MLB pitcher Lee Milano - Head Coach Joe Milano- Head Scout John Saraceno- 20 year assistant Rod Molek- IHSBCA HOF @PBRIllinois" There isn't a better staff around. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Baseball Hall of Famer will coach his son, Landon, a freshman second baseman, at Nazareth Academy High School in LaGrange Park, Illinois. Landon is in his first high school season, batting .330 with 26 runs, 25 RBIs and eight doubles headed into the state finals. He loves the game, loves to play the game. Fall Sport athletes must be registered onlineand have an updated physical on file prior to their first practice. And watching that process, that journey youve got to embrace every moment with your kids and enjoy it. The amount of talented position player depth across the field is once again evident and should be leaned on as a strength of the club. The first state championship trophy in Nazareth Academy baseball history briefly had another distinctive feature Saturday. Milano coached them all, compiling 531 victories in his 23rd season as head coach. I cant thank Rick Hahn, Jerry [Reinsdorf], Kenny Williams enough for allowing me working and being around this, but also juggling the fact that I love to be at the ballpark and help our guys there. (BILL STONE/Contributor) Cluster bombs are munitions that open in the air and release scores of smaller bomblets. Nazareth Academy Baseball on Twitter: "There isn't a better staff And this has been so special.. The fans were great, loud. Thome retired in 2012 after a 22-year career during which he hit 612 home runs, good for eighth all-time. You should see, on the left-side of the infield a lot, along with. Nazareth's Landon Thome wins state title with dad, Jim Thome The list includes serving as the special assistant to White Sox general manager Rick Hahn, the president of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association and coaching baseball where his son Landon plays second base at Nazareth Academy High School, according to, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The Roadrunners are also plenty deep on the mound with all kinds of high-end talent as well. In his small sample size in 2022 Huges struck out 21 and walked two in 13.2 innings pitched. 3 St. Laurence, Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. Fiore has a loose, lively arm with the ability to spin the baseball at an above-average clip. Freshman, Thome, mentioned as a newcomer to watch, also has a chance to see some time at second base. We had an idea they would be a team to watch, putting them at. Hall of Famer Jim Thome coaching baseball at HS where his son plays Hes a young kid that really loves to play the game and has been given an unbelievable opportunity around a ton of great players.. Roadrunners | Nazareth Academy Athletics Website. OMeara, still uncommitted, has ran his fastball up to 87 mph in front of us and he registered a 1.58 ERA in 35.1 innings pitched in 2022. For all of his fame, Milano added, Thome remains as approachable as anyone. A number of sophomores were heavily relied on throughout the year and freshman Jaden Fauske earned a spot in the everyday lineup by the end of the year. We play for all of the guys that have been in the program all of the years. . Thome said there can be extra pressure when one of your coaches happens to be your father, especially one with the baseball legacy Thome has. That extends to the old-school, high-socks look he sports in his Nazareth uniform. Alongside Smith in the outfield you should see junior Cole Reifsteck competing for an everyday spot in the outfield. Dan McGrath: Pat Fitzgerald was Northwestern football, and that was his downfall. Cox went 2-0 in 2022 with a final line of 31 IP, 19 H, 7 ER, 17 BB, 38 K, and a 1.58 ERA. Before state, Nazareth received a visit from former Chicago White Sox player Jim Thome, the Hall of Famer with 612 career home runs. Nazareth Academy won the Illinois Class 4A baseball state championship today. To read the full newsletter,click here. However, Thome isn't stepping. He made his debut for Wrexham in a 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers in a pre-season friendly. 1-ranked '23 has made over the course of his famous prep career. (2024; North Carolina). "I've tried to get to know each one of our kids, learn what makes them tick and then remind them of something that might help .