Landon Thome drafted in first round by Sox, making Hall of Famer father proud

By Jeff Vorva

On June 5, 1989, a small gathering of family members in Peoria celebrated when Jim Thome was drafted in the 13th  round of the Major League Baseball Draft by Cleveland.

On July 11, 2026, a much bigger gathering was at Jim and Andrea Thome’s Burr Ridge home as his son, Landon, was drafted in the Competitive Balance A round – 34th  overall – by the Chicago White Sox, a team Jim played with from 2006-2009. Jim is also a special assistant to the general manager of the Sox.

Jim couldn’t estimate how many people were there to share in Landon’s joy that day. Maybe 40? Maybe 50? Could it have been 60? Heck, he lost count.

Long before becoming a first-round draft pick, a young Landon Thome was already a devoted White Sox fan.
Photo courtesy of the Thome family

One thing he did know is the explosion of cheers once Landon’s name was announced was loud.

Once Landon heard his name, his head dropped with relief and he shot up and hugged his mother, Andrea, and then Jim and then a bunch of other well-wishers.“The love and the excitement and the thrill that it was the White Sox was great,” Jim said. “His friends and family were rooting for him all of this time, so it was very cool and special.”

Landon was at Rate Field the day after the draft to meet with the media, and he was still pumped up.

“It’s a dream come true,” Landon said. “I’ve been growing up and coming to games here since I was a little kid. And to hear my name called by the White Sox…I’m just ready to get to work and do everything I can to help the city and help this team.”

After talking to the press, he took part in a first-pitch ceremony. The first-round and overall No. 1 pick in the draft, Roch Cholowsky, was also there and threw to Hall of Famer Harold Baines.

Landon fittingly threw his pitch to Jim.  

The elder Thome concedes he was much more nervous on his son’s draft day than his own.

“The dynamic of it has totally changed,” Jim said. “I remember them calling my house – which was my parents’ house. Now it’s televised. The transformation of the draft and the building up to the draft is just so great. What a cool thing baseball has done. It’s cool to see him live his dream.”

Landon was happy he could bring excitement to his father.

Landon and his family watch the MLB Draft from their Burr Ridge home before celebrating when the White Sox selected him with the 34th overall pick.
Photo courtesy of the Thome family

“That was probably the most nervous I’ve ever seen him,” Landon said of Jim. “I tried to keep as relaxed as possible, but I was feeling those nerves, too.”

Landon spent four years playing on varsity for Nazareth Academy as an infielder while Jim was an assistant coach to legendary head coach Lee Milano.

In 2023, Landon’s freshman year, the Roadrunners won the Illinois High School Association Class 3A state championship with a 7-2 victory over Grayslake Central in Joliet.

Astonishingly, it was the first championship on any level that Jim won.

“I’ve been to some World Series, but I never won a World Series,” Jim said after the state title game. “To help these kids as they have gone through the long grind is really cool.”

Landon continued to make his mark, winning many state and national awards over the years, including the Gatorade Illinois Baseball Player of the Year. He capped off his high school career with a senior season in which he hit .535 with nine home runs and 35 RBIs. He scored 63 runs, and stole 54 bases, and set multiple school records.

“In more than 30 years of coaching at Nazareth Academy, I can confidently say Landon is one of the finest young men I have had the privilege to coach,” Milano said. “It’s a true reflection of his family and the values they have instilled.”