Former Cleveland Indian Jim Thome to have street named after him in home town

Sep 23, 2011; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians designated hitter Jim Thome (25) raises his batting helmet in the air as fans give him a standing ovation in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Former Indians slugger Jim Thome is a legendary figure in the eyes of many fans. Last year, Cleveland built a statue for him outside of Progressive Field. Now, he will have a street named after him -- in his home town of Peoria, IL.

From the Peoria Journal Star:

State lawmakers unanimously voted Tuesday to rename part of U.S. Route 24 after retired Major League Baseball star Jim Thome.

The resolution, which passed 96-0 in the state House, would designate Route 24 between South Adams Street in Bartonville and Griswold Street in Peoria as the Jim Thome Highway.

Thome attended Limestone High School and Illinois Central College, both located in Peoria, before being drafted by the Indians in 1989.

The future Hall of Famer played for seven different teams over his 22-year major-league career, including 12 seasons with Cleveland. His 612 career home runs are the seventh-most of all-time.

(h/t Peoria Journal Star)