2003 Award Honoree

Jim Thome
Philadelphia Phillies
Major League Baseball
2002 Roberto Clemente Award Winner

First baseman Jim Thome of the Philadelphia Phillies has a passion for the game of baseball, an affinity for good sportsmanship and a commitment to his community. To honor these qualities, Major League Baseball named Thome the recipient of the 2002 Roberto Clemente Award presented by John Hancock.

A $25,000 donation from John Hancock was made in Thome's honor to the Steve Palermo Chapter of the National Paralysis Foundation in Leawood, Kansas. Thome chose to donate the money in the name of his nephew, Brandon Thome, who is battling a spinal cord injury and currently is unable to walk. John Hancock also made a $30,000 contribution in Thome's name to Roberto Clemente Sports City, a multipurpose sports and education center in Puerto Rico.

"This is a tremendous honor, to be considered in the same class as Roberto Clemente," said Thome. "He is a hero and role model for all of us who play the game and strive to be as good a player and person as he was. I have never thought of my time in the community as work, but as my responsibility to spread my good fortune to those around me who are more deserving. I'll cherish this award for the rest of my life."

Thome has served as the honorary cochair of the United Way Home Run Derby for the past five seasons. The program has helped raise nearly $200,000 for the United Way's youth programs since 1996. He has helped raise over $300,000 for the Children's Hospital of Illinois in Peoria, Illinois. The Sporting News named Thome "Good Guy" for his charitable efforts. Other charitable activities have included participating in the First Energy Grand Slam Summer Literacy Program with his wife, Andrea, and he served as the honorary captain for CapCure for Prostate Cancer Awareness in 2001.

Thome spent 12 productive seasons with the Cleveland Indians before signing as a free agent with the Phillies before the 2003 season. In 1996, Thome was instrumental in leading the Indians to their first World Series appearance since 1954. Thome also had an outstanding 2002 season, culminating with a .304 batting average, a franchise-record 52 home runs and 118 runs batted in.

Jim and Andrea have one daughter, Lila.