Though it can’t be that horrible, Philadelphia has a reputation for being a difficult city to play in.
If so, why did Aaron Nola accept a lower salary to remain a member of the Philadelphia Phillies?
After the 2002 season, Jim Thome, the Hall of Famer of MLB, could have played anywhere. At that time, he was a 32-year-old free agent fresh off an incredible 52-homer season in which he finished seventh in the American League in terms of MVP, leading the league in slugging percentage (.677) and OPS (1.122
It goes without saying that that winter, he was in high demand.
He discussed his decision to sign with the Phillies in an interview with MLB Network on Wednesday.
Thome gave several reasons for his decision, and in December of that year he inked a six-year, $85 million contract with Philadelphia. He brought up Citizens Bank Park, which would open in 2004 but was still under construction at the time. In addition, he spoke about the team’s “vision” and, most all, its members.
Thome’s move to Philadelphia was a significant adjustment at the time.
At that moment, having been selected by the Cleveland Guardians in the 1989 draft, he had played his whole twelve-year career with the team. In addition to become one of baseball’s top sluggers and being a vital component of two AL pennant victories there in the 1990s, he made three consecutive All-Star teams from 1997 to 1999.
For Thome, joining the National League was a significant step, but it turned out to be beneficial for both parties. With 47 home runs in 2003, he quickly took the majors by storm. The next year, he smacked 42 home runs, earning a spot on the first and only NL All-Star team.
The Phillies moved Thome to the Chicago White Sox following his injury-plagued 2005 season in order to clear space at first base for Ryan Howard, who scored
The slugger even returned to Philadelphia during his final season in 2012, signing as a free agent following the 2011 season.
Even now, more than two decades after Thome first joined the Phillies, his love for the organization is still evident.
