Phillies History: Black Friday Jim Thome trade transformed baseball in Philadelphia

Fansided | November 28, 2025

This was a Black Friday deal the Phillies had to make, and we're glad they did.

June 12, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Jim Thome (25) in the on-deck circle during the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Twins won 11-7. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images | Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

It was Black Friday, Nov. 25, 2005, when the Philadelphia Phillies made a trade that altered the franchise as fans knew it. It has been 20 years since Phillies general manager Pat Gillick chose to trade Jim Thome, one of the brightest spots on an otherwise bleak early 2000s roster, to the Chicago White Sox.