Hillerich & Bradsby Co. • 800 W. Main St. • Louisville, KY 40202 • (502) 585-5226 • www.slugger.com Media contact • Rick Redman • [email protected] • (502) 585-5226
THOME IS A THROWBACK, WIELDING A BIG LOUISVILLE SLUGGER ON WAY TO 600 HRS LOUISVILLE, KY (August 16, 2011) - Jim Thome is a big man who swings a big bat. He crushed his 599th and 600th career home runs with his maple M356 Louisville Slugger last night in Detroit.
“Jim Thome is a throwback to another era. Our Louisville Slugger bat order records show that he consistently orders bats from us that are 34-1/2 inches long and 32 ounces,” said the company’s Manager of Professional Baseball Chuck Schupp. “That’s longer and heavier than most MLB players today.”
The majority of today’s hitters want light bats like the aluminum ones they grew up swinging. At 6’3”, 250 pounds, Thome’s power comes from his ability to wield a bigger bat than most guys in the big leagues. He is the eighth player in Major League Baseball history to reach 600 career homeruns. Five of those eight, including Thome, signed contracts with Louisville Slugger, while the other three players swung Louisville Slugger bats most of their careers.
“Once again, Louisville Slugger proves why it is synonymous with baseball and baseball bats,” “No other baseball equipment company even comes close to the achievements set with Louisville Slugger bats over the history of baseball.”
In addition to Thome - Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Ken Griffey, Jr., and Alex Rodriguez have all been under bat contracts with Louisville Slugger, celebrating its 127th year in professional baseball this season. And what a season it’s been! Long-time Slugger contract player Derek Jeter also reached a major milestone, surpassing the 3,000 hit mark with his trusty P72 Louisville Slugger bat. It’s the only model Jeter has ever used.
“It’s an honor for Louisville Slugger to be so woven into the fabric of baseball,” Schupp said. “Besides all the home run records and 3,000 hit club members, we were with Ted Williams when he hit .406 and with DiMaggio during his 56 game hit streak. Louisville Slugger signed Jackie Robinson before he was ever called up to break the color barrier. We were with Mantle and Maris in the 1961 homerun chase, and with Cal Ripken, Jr. for his 2,632 consecutive games. Louisville Slugger has been associated with more history and accomplishments in baseball than other equipment makers combined.”
COMMEMORATIVE THOME 600 HR BAT AVAILABLE Fans can own a piece of Jim Thome’s historic achievement. A limited edition commemorative Jim Thome 600 Home Run and career highlights Louisville Slugger bat is available at www.BigTimeBats.com .
*ATTENTION EDITORS: An image of the Jim Thome limited edition commemorative 600 HR bat is available by contacting Rachel Feldman at: [email protected] .
About Louisville Slugger® Louisville Slugger® is the Official Bat of Major League Baseball® and is a name synonymous with America’s pastime. Originating in 1884, Louisville Slugger bats graced the hands of the greatest players in baseball history, including Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron, to name a few. Sixty percent of MLB players today swing Louisville Slugger bats including Derek Jeter, Dustin Pedroia, Joey Votto, Jim Thome and Troy Tulowitzki. Louisville Slugger also makes TPX® baseball equipment for college, high school and youth players, as well as TPS® equipment for slow-pitch and fastpitch softball. Louisville Slugger is a brand of the Hillerich & Bradsby Co., a fifth generation family-owned business that also owns and operates Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory and makes PowerBilt® golf clubs and Bionic® Gloves for a variety of sports and hobbies.