MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Frank Thomas hit his 500th home run Thursday, routinely putting his head down as he rounded the bases while joining one of baseball's most elite clubs.
The Toronto slugger became the 21st major leaguer to reach the career mark, a milestone that has always meant an eventual spot in the Hall of Fame.
Thomas hit a three-run shot in the first inning, connecting against Minnesota's Carlos Silva and sending a 1-2 pitch an estimated 396 feet into the left-field stands.
The Metrodome crowd responded with a standing ovation for the two-time AL MVP. Thomas made little display while taking his home run trot as Toronto players spilled out of the dugout to congratulate him.
That Thomas did it in the Metrodome was fitting. He hit his first career home run at the ballpark against Gary Wayne while with the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 28, 1990. Thomas has 16 homers overall at the stadium.
The 39-year-old Thomas is in his first season with the Blue Jays. He played last year in Oakland.
Next on Thomas' ascent on the career home run list are Eddie Murray (504), Mel Ott (511) and Ernie Banks and Eddie Mathews (512 each). Also within reach of 500 this year are Alex Rodriguez, Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez.
Thomas entered Thursday with four home runs in his previous nine games.
The Big Hurt has hit 50 career homers against the Twins, his most against any team and the most by an active player against Minnesota. Rocky Colavito hit 52 against the Twins and Mickey Mantle and Reggie Jackson each hit 51.
The seventh overall pick by the White Sox in 1989, Thomas spent 16 years in Chicago and established many franchise bests, including 448 home runs, 1,465 RBIs and 3,949 total bases. His .427 on-base percentage and .568 slugging percentage are also franchise bests.
But an injured ankle limited Thomas to 108 games in his final two seasons and led to a falling-out with the team.
After joining Oakland as a free agent, Thomas hit 39 home runs and drove in 114 runs last year in helping the A's reach the AL Championship Series. He signed with the Blue Jays as a free agent on Nov. 17, 2006
Props to him. In the mid 90's you couldn't find a better pure hitter. Even though he pisses me off alot with his bullshit....I am still a big fan. Should be first ballot.
Just barely though, had to run down to my seat. Wasn't there a minute before it happened... I knew it was going to happen though. I just felt all shaky and excited right before, just felt like something was about to happen.
I was standing up and clapping before it was officially out, and people are looking at me like a retard (wearing the Kirby Puckett jersey). A lot of the people at the game didn't understand what happened.
The mental giant who caught the ball gave it away for a free Twins jersey.
Definitely one of the most memorable games I have been to. I will be lucky to see a 500th hr again, me thinks.
