Jim Thome the new president of MLB Players Alumni Association

Hall of Famer Jim Thome, who spent four brief but memorable seasons of his 22-year career with the Phillies, was announced Wednesday as the new president of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association.

Thome replaces a fellow Hall of Famer, Brooks Robinson, who was president for 33 years.

The organization has existed since 1982, with Robinson, Jim Kaat and Jim Hannan preceding Thome as president.

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Among the MLBPAA's goals are advancing and encouraging baseball and its values, helping former big-leaguers with marketing opportunities and contributing to charitable causes.

Thome was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018, receiving 90 percent of votes. He hit 612 home runs (eighth all-time), 101 as a Phillie. His signing in December 2002 sparked a new era of hope for Phillies baseball and he led the majors with 47 home runs in his first season here, also driving in a career-high 131 runs.

He hit 42 homers the next year but was plagued by injuries in 2005, ultimately being traded to the White Sox that November in exchange for centerfielder Aaron Rowand in a move that also opened up first base long-term for Ryan Howard.

Universally well-liked throughout baseball, Thome has been a member of the MLBPAA since 1999 and in 2011 was the first winner of its Brooks Robinson Community Service Award, given to a current or former major-league player, manager or coach who "exemplifies the unselfish and humble attitude of Brooks Robinson, bettering the lives of the youth in his community."