By: Matt Rappa, managing editor 
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies have announced that former first baseman Jim Thome will be the 38th inductee of the franchise's Wall of Fame on Friday, August 12, prior to a 7:05 p.m. game against the Colorado Rockies.
Thome, 45, will forever be enshrined with fellow former teammates Pat Burrell (2015) and Mike Lieberthal (2012), as well as manager Charlie Manuel (2014) and broadcaster Harry Kalas (2009). He was nominated through fan voting, a process which began Feb. 11 on phillies.com.
"It is extremely humbling and gratifying to be given this honor by the great fans of Philadelphia," Thome told MLB.com. "I always enjoyed playing here, and to join the generations of Phillies' greats on the wall is just so special."
Via a team press release:
In two separate stints with the Phillies (2003-05, 2012), Thome hit 101 home runs, drove in 281 runs and slugged .541 over 391 games. His 47 home runs during the 2003 season led the National League and helped him to a fourth-place finish in MVP voting. The following year, Thome was selected to his fourth career All-Star Game and became the second Phillie since 1930 to record back-to-back 40-home run seasons.
The left-handed slugger reached several career milestones while playing for the Phillies, most notably hitting his 400th career home run on June 14, 2004 at Citizens Bank Park. In 2012, Thome became the fourth player in MLB history to hit 100 home runs with three different teams, and also set an MLB record by hitting his 13th career walk-off home run.
Other members of the 2016 Wall of Fame ballot included: RHPs Steve Bedrosian (1986-89), Larry Christenson (1973-83), Gene Garber (1974-78), Jim Konstanty (1948-54), Ron Reed (1976-83), Rick Wise (1964; 1966-71), infielders Fred Luderus (1910-20), Manny Trillo (1979-82), Scott Rolen (1996-02), Pinky Whitney (1928-33; 1936-39) and manager Jim Fregosi (1991-96).
Thome benefited from a rule change that allowed him to be eligible for the Wall of Fame. Prior to this season, the Phillies required five or more years of service for position players, however the five-time All-Star only donned red pinstripes for less than four full seasons. The requirement has since been lowered to four or more years of service.
