MLB: Indians unveil Jim Thome statue at Progressive Field

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Cleveland • Jim Thome's point-the-bat hitting stance, a powerful symbol of the most successful era in Cleveland Indians history, is now a permanent fixture at Progressive Field. The Indians unveiled the statue Saturday to honor the franchise's leader in home runs. Thome hit 337 homers for Cleveland, playing for the Indians from 1991-2002 and again in 2011.

Thome joins some select company. His statue stands in the team's Heritage Park behind center field and is adjacent to one honoring Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller.

With Thome in the lineup, the Indians won six AL Central titles, advanced to the World Series in 1995 and 1997 and played in front of 455 consecutive sellout crowds.

Thome had a most unique stance. He would point his bat toward the pitcher to get ready, then pull it back and prepare to swing.