Minnesota Twins designated hitter Jim Thome gives the thumbs-up to...

Minnesota Twins designated hitter Jim Thome gives the thumbs-up to someone in the stands before facing the Cleveland Indians in a baseball game in Cleveland. (Aug. 14, 2011) Credit: AP

Minnesota slugger Jim Thome has become the eighth player to hit 600 home runs, connecting twice against the Detroit Tigers on Monday night.

The 40-year-old Thome hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning for No. 599, then came to bat again in the seventh. He hit a 2-1 pitch from Daniel Schlereth over the fence in left field, then circled the bases as the Detroit fans gave him a standing ovation.

Thome became the second-fastest hitter to reach the milestone, hitting his 600th homer in at-bat No. 8,137. Babe Ruth needed only 6,921 at-bats.

His 64 home runs against Detroit are his most against any team.
 

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