Former Knights player Thome, other Charlotte celebs, to throw first pitches

CHARLOTTE — Former Charlotte Knights player and future National Baseball Hall-of-Famer Jim Thome will throw out a ceremonial first pitch on Knights Opening Day this Friday at BB&T Ballpark. Friday marks the Knights official return home to Charlotte.

Thome will be among many Charlotte celebrities throwing out a first pitch prior to the team's first game in Charlotte since the 1988 season.

During his 1993 season with the Knights, Thome hit a league-best .332 with 25 home runs and 102 RBIs. He was named the International League's Most Valuable Player at the end of the season. That season, the Knights won a franchise record 86 games and their first Governor's Cup Championship.

Channel 9's Charlotte Knights opening day stadium guide (PDF)

This will be Thome's first time back with the Knights since the 2007 season; he played in five games during a Major League rehab assignment with the club.

During his 22-year Major League career, Thome batted .276 with 612 home runs, 1,699 RBIs, 1,583 runs scored and 1,747 walks in 2,543 games. He played for many teams, including Cleveland, Philadelphia, the White Sox, Los Angeles- NL, Minnesota and Baltimore.

Thome was named to the All-Knights Stadium Team in April 2013. The team recognizes the best players in Knights franchise history.

He currently works for the Chicago White Sox as a special assistant to senior vice president and general manager Rick Hahn.

Click here to read the Knights story about Jim Thome and Opening Day activities.

WSOC