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      CLEVELAND - Jim Thome has swung back to the Cleveland
Indians.


      The slugger accepted a trade from Minnesota on Thursday night to
return to the Indians, the team he started with and one hoping its
career home run leader can help them run down the first-place
Detroit Tigers in the AL Central.


      A unexpected season full of surprises and comeback wins for the
Indians, has the most improbable return of all.


      As he's done on more than 600 career homers, Thome has rounded
the bags and is coming home.


      Thome spent 12 seasons with Cleveland from 1991-2002, hitting a
team-record 334 homers and helping the Indians get to two World
Series. He hit 52 in his final season before signing as a free
agent with Philadelphia, a decision that angered many Indians fans
who will have to welcome him back.


      "He's excited," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said.

"He's fired up to come back and join the team. I am hopeful and
confident that fans will embrace him wearing an Indians uniform
again. He's not only an exceptional player but a person as well.
Even if he wasn't a person that hit 600 home runs, he's just a
great person."


      Earlier this month, the five-time All-Star became the eighth
player in history to hit 600 homers.

      The 40-year-old Thome waived a no-trade clause in his contract
to clear his return to the Indians, who have been in contention all
season but have lost six of their last seven games amid a rash of
injuries. Thome's arrival will soften the loss of designated hitter
Travis Hafner, who is on the disabled list and may need
season-ending foot surgery.


      The Indians put a claim in for Thome on Wednesday, two days
after the Twins waived him. Once the Indians were awarded Thome,
the clubs had 48 hours to work out a trade. The Twins will receive
a player to be named by Oct. 15.


      Antonetti hopes Thome will arrive in time to be in the Indians'
lineup Friday night. Antonetti doesn't expect Thome to play every
game.


      "We will have to manage his playing time," Antonetti said.
"He's certainly not an everyday player at this point. We'll work
with Jim on this. We'd like to have him out there to impact the
team as often as we can. Every game for the team is meaningful. We
are trying to win as many games as possible and we'll see where
that takes us."


      Thome's bat once helped Cleveland twice get close to its first
Series title since 1948, and now the Indians hope it still has a
little magic.


      "What If?" team president Mark Shapiro tweeted, using the
team's 2011 motto. "Jim Thome came home."


      After finishing 25 games out in 2010, the Indians weren't
expected to contend this season, but have been at or near the top
of their division since April. However, as August drains to its
final days, the Indians have slipped back in the standings and
trail the Tigers by 6½ as they enter a three-game series against
Kansas City.


      The Twins are 16 games behind, which is why they decided to part
with Thome, who has also played for the Chicago White Sox and Los
Angeles Dodgers.


      On his most recent visit to Cleveland, the Peoria, Ill., native
said he would relish a chance to finish his career where it began.
Thome's return will probably give the Indians an immediate
attendance boost, and may help some of the fans who couldn't
forgive him for leaving despite saying his Indians jersey would
have to be torn off for him to go anywhere else.


      A skinny third baseman when he came up, Thome, along with fellow
All-Stars Sandy Alomar Jr., Albert Belle, Kenny Lofton, Manny
Ramirez and Carlos Baerga formed the core of the Indians' teams
that dominated their division in the `90s and went to the World
Series in 1995 and 1997 - losing both times.


      Thome's big swing, a blend of quickness, power and
follow-through, and his aw-shucks attitude, made him one of
Cleveland's most popular players. That changed, though, following
the `02 season.


      As a free agent, Thome turned down a generous, long-term
contract from the Indians - who even offered to build a statue in
his honor - for a chance to win in Philadelphia. At the time, he
felt the Phillies were closer to a title than the Indians, who were
in the early stages of a massive rebuilding project.


      Thome had a memorable first season in Minnesota, leading the
team with 25 homers in just 276 at-bats with the Twins in 2010. His
aching back felt better than it had in years, and he was energized
by the youthful energy surrounding him as he helped the Twins run
away with the division crown.


      Thome had several suitors as a free agent in the offseason. He
ultimately decided to return to the Twins, thinking a nucleus of
Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Michael Cuddyer would help him
capture the World Series championship that has eluded him all these
years. But his second season in Minnesota hasn't gone nearly as
well. He has struggled with injuries to his back, toe and
quadriceps that have slowed that mighty left-handed swing of his,
and Mauer and Morneau have also been out for long stretches.


      Thome surpassed the 600-homer mark with two blasts at Detroit
earlier this month, one of his only highlights this season.


--- AP Sports Writer Jon Krawczynski in Minneapolis contributed to
this report.

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