I sign every autograph I can for kids because I remember myself at that age. I think it's ridiculous that some guys won't sign for a kid.

Thome experienced stiffness in his lower back in a game against the Chicago Cubs on April 28. He hit his 599th and 600th career home runs (in two straight at bats) at Comerica Park on August 15 making him only the eighth player to achieve that home run total. When Thome returned to the Indians in 2011 the club again sported the high socks as a tribute to Thome.

He is seventh all-time for most career home runs with 612 and 24th all-time for runs batted in (RBIs) with 1699. In 1996 Thome won the Silver Slugger Award and in 2006 he won the Comeback Player of the Year Award. He was traded to the White Sox before the 2006 season and played in Chicago for three more seasons where he joined the 500 home run club.