Bridgeport in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Jim Thome Home Runs

Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 7, 2024

1. Jim Thome Home Runs Marker

Inscription. On June 4, 2008, Chicago White Sox slugger Jim Thome became the first player ever to hit a baseball onto the Fan Deck of U.S. Cellular Field as the Sox beat the Kansas City Royals. He duplicated the tape-measure feat on September 30, 2008 as the White Sox beat the Minnesota Twins, 1-0, in a one-game playoff to win the American League Central Division championship.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Baseball Hall of Famers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 4, 2008.

Location. 41° 49.772′ N, 87° 37.969′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Bridgeport. It can be reached from 35th Street 0.2 miles Dan Ryan Expressway (Interstate 90/94), on the right when traveling east. The marker is at the base of the Fan Deck, on the left side facing towards home plate, in center field at Guaranteed Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox baseball team. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 333 West 35th Street, Chicago IL 60616, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Walter William Pierce (a few steps from this marker); Carlton Ernest Fisk (a few steps from this marker); Saturnino Orestes Armas "Minnie" Miñoso Arrieta

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(a few steps from this marker); What Is a "Chicago Style" Hot Dog? (a few steps from this marker); Jacob Nelson "Nellie" Fox (within shouting distance of this marker); Luis Aparicio (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles A. Comiskey (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Comiskey Park Shower (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. U.S. Cellular Field was the name of this stadium from 2003 until 2016. It was known as Comiskey Park from its opening in 1991 until 2003. It was renamed Guaranteed Rate Field before the 2017 season, and Rate Field since 2025, after the company it was named after rebranded.

Regarding Jim Thome Home Runs. One of the most fearsome sluggers of his era, Jim Thome was still a revered power hitter when he was acquired by the White Sox in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies in November of 2005. Thome, a native of Peoria, Illinois, spent most of four seasons with South Siders, hitting 134 of his 612 career homers in a White Sox jersey, the most dramatic being the one referenced

Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 7, 2024

2. Jim Thome Home Runs Marker

on this plaque, in a September 2008 one-game tiebreaker. In the 7th inning of that game, the 37-year-old Thome launched the ball into the Fan Deck, breaking a scoreless tie and accounting for the only run of a 1-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins, which clinched a White Sox berth in the American League playoffs. The White Sox ended up losing their Division Series matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays in four games. Thome was traded in August of 2009 to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and would continue playing until the 2012 season. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.

Also see . . .
1. (Video) Jim Thome crushes a go-ahead solo homer in the 7th of 2008 AL Central tie-breaker game. (Submitted on June 8, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Baseball Reference: Jim Thome. (Submitted on June 8, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
3. MLB Blog: Behind the Ballpark. A look at some of the landmark spots at Guaranteed Rate Field, including the Thome plaque. (Submitted on June 8, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 7, 2024

3. Jim Thome Home Runs Marker

The center field camera operators face the field, in front of the marker.

Jim Thome as a member of the White Sox image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith Allison (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons, August 27, 2008

4. Jim Thome as a member of the White Sox

Thome was with the White Sox from the beginning of the 2006 season until being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 31, 2009.

Guaranteed Rate Field image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 7, 2024

5. Guaranteed Rate Field

The Fan Deck referenced on the plaque is in center field, just beneath the scoreboard.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 359 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 8, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on September 29, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5. submitted on June 8, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.