Jim Thome to Throw Out First Pitch of World Series Game 7

CLEVELAND, OH - Former Indians hitter Jim Thome is coming back to Progressive Field to throw out the first pitch of Game 7 of the World Series. The decision was announced this afternoon. Travis Hafner, another former Tribe slugger, will deliver the ball.

The team announced the decision amid more speculation that Charlie Sheen may have received the honor. Sheen tweeted a picture of a packed travel bag saying he was on his way to Cleveland. Some fans began thinking it was a sign he was being called upon in the team's moment of need.

Instead, the Indians turn to a beloved, but controversial, figure from the team's past. Some in the Twitter-sphere have called Thome the predecessor to LeBron James in 2010 because both players unceremoniously bolted from their Cleveland teams after having excellent stints.

The team announced the decision to go with Thome on Twitter.

The reaction was...mixed.

There were positive tweets about Thome but they were drowned out, at least in the immediate aftermath of the announcement.

Photo from Flickr, by Erik Drost