Frank Thomas hits 500th home run

Toronto Blue Jays'Frank Thomas joined a select group of major leaguers Thursday afternoon, belting his 500th career home run in Minnesota.

The designated hitter drilled a 1-2 pitch from Twins starting pitcher Carlos Silva an estimated 396 feet over the left-centre field fence for a three-run shot and a 4-0 Toronto lead in the first inning.

"I said, 'Let's just get a hit right here.' That's when home runs happen, when you're really not trying to do too much," said Thomas, who began the at-bat averaging .182 this season with runners in scoring position. "He [Silva] hung a slider over the corner and I stayed with the pitch."

Thomas, who received a standing ovation from the Metrodome crowd,became the 21st player to reach the exclusive club and first in Blue Jays history.

He later drove in Toronto's fifth run, with a double in the third inning, and struck out twice. In the ninth inning, Thomas was ejected from the gameby home plate umpire Mark Wegnerfor arguinga strike three call.

"I'm probably the first to get 500 home runs and get thrown out of the ball game," Thomas said. "That's something I didn't want to happen, but the moment just got the best of me.

"I've still got hunger and desire. You saw that in the ninth inning. I still care. The game wasn't over in my opinion, and I was up there to battle."

Thomas shook his head in amazement when he thought about joining the likes of Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Harmon Killebrew in the 500 club.

"It's an unbelievable class of talent," he said. "I saw a lot of them play. I have the utmost respect, and I'm very happy to be here because it takes a long time to hit 500 home runs and I think I've paid my dues long enough through numerous injuries.

"At one point, I didn't think I'd ever get here because of the ankle. I'd never be back on the field."

The Big Hurt, who signed a two-year, $18-million USfree-agent contract with Torontolast winter, has hit five homers over the last 11 games and 13this season.

Todd Eisenlohr, sitting in the fifth row and wearing a jersey of Twins player Jason Bartlett, caught the ball in his glove.

"I lost it in the roof as it was coming down," Eisenlohr said. He said he traded the souvenir ball for an autographed ball, bat and jersey.

That Thomas did it in the Metrodome was fitting. He hit his first career home run at the ballpark against Gary Wayne while with the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 28, 1990, and has 16 homers overall at the stadium.

Thomas, 39, has slumped much of the season but has been back on his game lately, driving the ball with authority on the few occasions pitchers have given him something to hit.

In the third inning Thursday, Thomas doubled to right field, scoring Vernon Wells with Toronto's fifth run.

Cincinnati Reds centre-fielder Ken Griffey Jr. was the last player to reach the 500-homer plateau, ripping a solo shot off St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Matt Morris on June 20, 2004 at Busch Stadium.

Thomas has a chance to climb the all-time ranks quickly. Eddie Murray is next with 504 home runs, Mel Ott is 19th with 511, and Ernie Banks and Eddie Mathews are tied for 17th at 512.

Texas Rangers slugger Sammy Sosa hit his 600th career homer on June 21, a markThomas has saidis his next goal.