Limestone alum Jim Thome continues to climb Major League Baseball's all-time home-run list. He recently hit number 513, passing Hall of Famers Ernie Banks and Eddie Matthews. This is part one of Thome's interview with News 25 Sports Director Lee Hall

News 25: As we interview you today, you are in first place. That's got to be a sweet feeling for you.

Thome: "You know, it is. It is. You know, we've started off pretty well, and it's fun. It's been great. For the most part we've been playing pretty well. It is early and we understand that. You know, it's a long year but we like where we're at so far. We'll hopefully keep this thing rolling."

News 25: Tell me about some of the new guys you've added like Swisher and a couple of others. They've really come in and made a good contribution haven't they?

Thome: "They have. They've brought a lot of energy to our club. They're good people. They're good players. You know when you mix in all those intangibles we're seeing what those guys bring to our club and it's great."

News 25: You have been on a bit of a tear yourself lately. You had the thing, the incident with the umpire. We don't see that from you a lot. That fire burns pretty bright in there doesn't it?

Thome: "Well, it does you know. Any time you put a uniform on you compete. I think that says a lot about our club, that we're here this year to play and come out and show a little fire. Again, things happen. You move on and go on. It's just something, you try to move on and not hold any grudges."

News 25: Well, anyone that's a competitor knows that feeling. Did it spark you, and was there an underlying message there. You guys kinda thought you were getting squeezed (by the umpires) there a little bit. Was it the kind of thing that fired up your team too?

Thome: "I think it fired us up. You don't ever go into a game and say you're going to argue balls and strikes, it just happens. No hard feelings against anybody and move on. If it showed some fire to some other guys, great. That's what we want."