THE DATE was June 19, 2010. Jim Thome came to the plate in the top of the ninth as a 39-year-old pinch-hitter for his latest team, the Twins, trailing 9-4. The 45,254 in attendance at Citizens Bank Park that afternoon rose to their feet in unison, a long and well-deserved standing ovation for one of the most popular players to ever wear the Phillies uniform, traded away five seasons before as part of the youth movement that would eventually produce five consecutive division titles.
Slideshow Phillies fans showed class cheering for Utley
Thome stepped out of the box a few times to acknowledge the crowd that day, then did exactly what every fan there hoped he would.