The Thome Question
When Jim Thome stepped to the plate Wednesday, he heard the sound of boos. He's got to be used to it by now.

Cleveland fans have never taken personal greed well. With Thome back at Jacobs Field, only now in White Sox-black, the fans have let him have it.

My memory fails me as to whether Thome came to Cleveland during his years in Philadelphia. I seem to think he did not, because it was a big deal when he returned last season, when playing for Chicago.

Personally, I think Thome should be cheered by Cleveland fans. Not because he's a great guy or because of his accomplishments while wearing blue and red. He should be cheered because, honestly, he did the Indians a favor by spurning their offers and going to Philadelphia.

On Dec. 6, 2002, Thome signed a contract with the Phillies, which was no doubt front page news. But buried somewhere underneath was a transaction made that day by the Indians.

While the Indians said goodbye to one power hitter, they said hello to another. In perhaps the best trade of his career, General Manager Mark Shapiro robbed the Texas Rangers. He traded catcher Einar Diaz and Ryan Drese for Travis Hafner. The Tribe also got some guy named Aaron Myette, but he gets eliminated from most discussions, like the guys that went along with Paul Revere.

It's possible that had the Indians signed Thome, they never would have traded for Hafner -- though it's unlikely Shapiro knew what he was getting in Travis.

At this point in their careers, I'd take Hafner over Thome, especially with the knowledge that Hafner will be under contract for another four years.

Back to Thome. He pledged love and loyalty to Cleveland, but took the dollar. I can't blame him for that, because I've never been in his position. No one will pay me $13 million to do anything (with the possible exception of keeping quiet). Fans will boo Thome because he left. Like Manny Ramirez. Like Albert Belle. Like C.C. Sabathia (Oh wait, not for two years).

If Thome gets it worse than the others that left (and I'd argue Belle was treated far worse), it was because the fans really believed he was different. That's why, five years later, he still hears it from the fans. Even if, in retrospect, his decision was best for him, and the organization.

I guess no good deed does go unpunished.