EAST PEORIA, Ill. – The baseball and softball diamonds at Illinois Central College are now officially the Thome Fields.
Our news partner 25 News reports Baseball Hall-of-Famer Jim Thome was back at ICC Wednesday for a dedication ceremony. He played baseball and basketball for a year at ICC in 1988 before starting out in the minor leagues moving then, of course, to the majors.
“I needed to be at home my Freshman year; and, man, am I so proud that I stayed,” said Thome. “Looking back, it was the best decision I ever made, and it all started here.”
ICC officials say they hope Thome’s story will be an inspiration to not just student athletes, but to all students.
“What I take away from my time here is this was my path. This is where I should have gone,” said Thome. “My comfort level needed to stay in Peoria after high school.”
Thome, by the way, is holding out hope the Chicago White Sox will play in the World Series this year.
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