Thome returns to Philly as key LA cog

PHILADELPHIA -- Jim Thome had played three years of a seven-year contract for the Phillies when they were faced with one of those decisions that set the course of a franchise for years to come.

Trade 13-year veteran Jim Thome or trade Ryan Howard?

What now looks like a no-brainer actually had the Phillies somewhat divided internally. Thome was coming off elbow surgery. While he was sidelined, Howard hit 22 homers in an 88-game audition. But no club made an offer for Howard that the Phillies felt was worth taking.

Dodgers at a glance 2009 record: 95-67 2008 record: 84-78 NL West champs NL best record NLCS matchup: Phillies at Dodgers Postseason tix: Buy now WHO ARE THESE GUYS? • Loney: Taking good swings • Kuo: Long road back • Thome: Back in Philly • Loney: Building resume • Bullpen: Led by Broxton • Torre: Rep precedes him • Blake: Chemistry guy • Kershaw: Game 1 nod? • Dodgers: Eyes on prize • Kemp: Path of the pros • Furcal: Back healthy • Kershaw: Like Koufax • Hudson: Keeping head up • Billingsley: Unknown role • Ethier: Slump over • Torre: Tough decisions • Kershaw: Elite comparisons • Kemp: Nearly elite • Kershaw: Path to the pros • Billingsley: Fate in balance • Ethier: Aims to improve • Torre: Back to playoffs • Kershaw: Ready to rock • Rotation: Plenty of options • Kemp: Chasing LA history • Bullpen: Dominant pair • Honeycutt: Pitching guru • Kemp: Tools to match talent • Ethier: Walk-off wonder • Billingsley: Vying for spot • Ethier/Kemp: Dynamic duo • Torre: Another pennant race • Pierre: Receives high praise • Kershaw: Beyond his years More Dodgers coverage • Dodgers, Broxton stung by Phils in ninth Game 4 remains unkind to Broxton Phillies have Dodgers in tight spot Dodgers attempt to shake off heartbreaker With season on line, LA turns to Padilla Dodgers overwhelmed in Game 3 Wolf to put fond memories aside Kuroda makes no excuses for performance Runs hard to come by for Dodgers Beyond Game 4, rotation a question Dodgers ready to weather chill in Philly Kuroda gets ball for Game 3 Temperatures will be a challenge Rally revives Dodgers, evens NLCS Dodgers can't recover from Phils' homers Sherrill's rough inning costly Kershaw unravels quickly in Gm. 1 For starters, Dodgers have options October continues to be Torre's time After sweep, Dodgers reload rotation Sweep deal: Dodgers return to NLCS Dodgers hope party isn't last of 2009 Manny's big game a great sign Sweep leaves LA waiting on Rox, Phils Padilla silences critics with gem Dodgers excited, but keep eye on prize Affable Padilla on top of his game Torre, the person, leads way Dodgers stun Cardinals in ninth From walk to walk-off, Blake set stage Kershaw comes of age in Game 2 start Holliday takes place in long line of 'goats' Padilla grateful for 'second life' in LA Cards focused, but history against them Kemp, bullpen pull through in Game 1 Kershaw ready to grow up on big stage Short turnaround awaits NLDS foes Dodgers, Cardinals break left-on-base mark Middle of defense turns tables fast Billingsley gets call for Game 4 No surprises as Dodgers set roster Call to Wolf is easy decision One win nets Dodgers division, home-field Dodgers end drama, wrap up NL West Dodgers' division lead whittled to one Dodgers leave SD without division title LA drops chance to clinch NL West Ohman undergoes shoulder surgery Bucs keep Dodgers' celebration on ice Dodgers stunned; West party on hold Dodgers clinch postseason berth Playoffs await after win over Bucs Dodgers denied in playoff clinch attempt Wolf rolling as postseason beckons Blake playing it careful with hamstring Dodgers trim playoff magic number to one Billingsley sharp, LA not in loss to Nats Postseason magic number down to two Dodgers beat Giants' ace to stay on track Kershaw says he's ready to go Ethier blossoms into prime-time player Billingsley confident turnaround is coming Kershaw pitching beyond his years Ethier helps Dodgers pad West lead Dodgers shut down by former ace Penny Dodgers leave Giants reeling in NL West Dodgers protect lead with Kuroda's help Bauman: Pitching will carry Dodgers Messy ninth inning costs Dodgers

So, Thome was moved to the White Sox after the 2005 season in a trade that brought Aaron Rowand to the Phils. And with Howard in the middle of their lineup, the Phillies have won a World Series and three consecutive National League East titles, while Howard won the MVP award in his first full Major League season.

Thome returns to Philadelphia for the first time in the postseason as an important bit player with the Dodgers, a pinch-hitter whose clutch single was a big part of their 2-1 comeback win in Game 2 of the NL Championship Series.

"I always respected what he did," manager Joe Torre said. "You get to know players when you play against them for a number of years. But to have him in our clubhouse and see how much more he was than just a player, which has really, I think, helped the core of this group."

Thome said he wasn't bitter then and isn't now that the Phillies went with a young star over an aging one.

"The bottom line -- Howard needed to stay," said Thome. "He was an up-and-coming star. You could tell the kid was special. I don't think it was a bad move. Actually, they gave me the opportunity to go back to Chicago. At that time in my career, my mom had just passed away from lung cancer and it was a chance to be closer to my dad. It helped revitalize my family. So in that way, the Phillies took care of me. They were class from top to bottom."

Standing in the visitors dugout at Citizens Bank Park during a Saturday workout, Thome said the way he wound up in a postseason in Philadelphia is "a little weird."

"It's definitely a good feeling when you can come back and see people you have been around," said Thome. "With that said, I want to win every game against them now. My time here was great. The intensity, the atmosphere of baseball in Philadelphia, the whole organization treated me so well, it was a great experience, a great three years."

The year before his elbow injury, Thome slugged 42 homers for the Phillies. His first year with the White Sox, Thome also had 42 homers. Injuries and time have conspired to reduce Thome's production the past two years and he was dealt to the Dodgers on Aug. 31 to provide a threatening left-handed bat off the bench and an uplifting presence in the clubhouse.

Limited with a lingering foot injury, Thome seems to be hitting with only his upper body. He hasn't hit a homer with the Dodgers and can't run fast enough for a double.

Nonetheless, he said he expects the foot to heal over the winter and hopes to continue playing as a designated hitter next year, when he will turn 40.

"I want to keep playing," Thome said. "Other than the foot thing, I feel good."