Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Thome, a special assistant to Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz, received criticism from Cleveland Guardians fans and media for wearing all black at Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday. Thome's wife, Andrea, shot back at critics on X after the game. 

Two of the most egregious posts came from Cleveland media personality Jason Lloyd and a fan who posted a petition calling for the removal of Thome's statue outside Progressive Field in Cleveland. Thome spent his first 12 seasons with Cleveland. 

After Thome played three seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, the White Sox traded center fielder Aaron Rowand for the Hall of Famer. Thome spent over three seasons with the White Sox before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the 2009 trade deadline. Thome is iconic with the Guardians and the White Sox. 

Thome holds Guardians records with 337 home runs, 1,008 walks, 1,400 strikeouts and one HR in every 14 at-bats. During his White Sox tenure, Thome hit .265 with 134 HRs and 369 RBIs. Thome hit his 500th HR with the White Sox and an iconic blast in the 2008 blackout game to help clinch the 2008 American League Central Division over the Minnesota Twins.

Andrea Thome calls out criticism

Thome called out criticism by stating, "People upset with my husband for rooting for the team that drafted our son, has employed him since 2013, and is where we’ve lived since 2006. We can be devoted Chicago White Sox fans and still be grateful for our time in Cleveland...How fun to have both teams in the playoffs."

Jason Lloyd comments

Andrea Thome's response to online criticism about rooting for the White Sox was not directed toward Lloyd, but it indirectly tore his narrative apart. Lloyd's comments about Thome fail to mention his connections to the White Sox. 

Lloyd posted on X:
"I have a lot of respect for Jim Thome, but it's disappointing to see him wearing all black at the game today. There isn't a statue of him in front of that ... stadium in Chicago."

Lloyd stating that it's disappointing for Thome to wear all black at Game 3 of the American League Division Series ignores the fact that he played for the White Sox, currently works for them and that his son Landon was a second-round pick in the 2026 Major League Baseball draft.