With a career batting average of .276 and 612 home runs, Jim Thome terrorized MLB pitchers during his 22-year career.

James Howard Thome, the youngest of five children, was born on August 17, 1970, in Peoria. Thome went to Limestone High School, attended Illinois Central College and was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 1989.

Though his professional career got off to a rocky beginning, Thome eventually retooled his swing and made his major league debut in September of 1991. Following the ‘91 season, Thome suffered from injuries but continued to rise through the Indians’ organization to earn a starting spot on the roster in 1994. The Cleveland Indians advanced to the World Series in both the 1995 and 1997 seasons, but lost the series both times. During that time, Thome routinely led the team in home runs, batting average and walks. In the seasons following their 1997 run to the championship, the Indians weren’t as successful, but Thome was able to hit 20 or more home runs in seven consecutive seasons despite suffering a broken hand.

After leaving the Indians organization, Thome went on to play for the Philadelphia Phillies, the Chicago White Sox, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Minnesota Twins, the Cleveland Indians and the Baltimore Orioles. Thome’s 612 home runs landed him a seventh place spot on the all-time home run list. His 337 home runs for the Cleveland Indians are the most in franchise history. He will be eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.

Learn more:
Read his stats and bio here

After 13 previous attempts, a group of 164 skydivers from across the globe broke the world record for the largest ever vertical skydiving formation on Friday. Jumping from seven different aircraft, all flown in pre-determined patterns and altitudes, the skydivers flew head-down and formed a giant flower before breaking away and activating their parachutes.

The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (World Air Sports Federation) was on hand to verify the jump met the standards necessary to break the former world record title, which was set in 2012 by 138 skydivers. 

The jump took place over Skydive Chicago, a skydiving center located in Ottawa.

Learn more:
Read more: 164 skydivers smash head-down world record in Illinois, some hitting speeds exceeding 200mph – U.S. News & World Report
Looking to skydive in Illinois? Check out Skydive Chicago located in Ottawa

If you want to read a great American fantasy, science fiction, horror or mystery novel, one of Ray Bradbury’s books may be the choice for you.

Bradbury, born in Waukegan, is an American novelist, short-story writer, essayist, playwright, screenwriter and poet. He is well known for Fahrenheit 451, which some call his masterpiece. He is also known for books such as The Martian Chronicles and The Illustrated Man.

Bradbury’s works won him an Emmy Award and a nomination for an Academy Award. He ended up writing almost fifty books, as well as poems and essays. He even wrote the screenplay for John Huston’s Moby Dick.

Learn more:
Visit Ray Bradbury’s official website
Interested in buying one of his books? Browse the full list

Billy Pierce, known as one of the most powerful pitchers of the 1950s, played for the Chicago White Sox from 1949 until 1961.  During his career with the Sox, Pierce was the starting pitcher in three All-Star games and led the American League in pitching 21 complete games. Pierce also led the American League in both 1955 with a 1.97 ERA and in 1953 with 186 strikeouts.

Before playing for the White Sox, Pierce played a brief stint for the Detroit Lions from 1945 until 1949. Pierce was born and raised in suburban Detroit. After his baseball career ended, Pierce returned to Illinois, setting in Evergreen Park, a Chicago suburb.

In 2006, Pierce was initiated into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame and a statute in his honor was placed at U.S. Cellular Field in 2007.

Learn more:
Former White Sox star Billy Pierce dies at 88
Billy Pierce – Baseball Statistics

Today, National Cheesecake Day is celebrated across the country, a day to indulge in your favorite flavor of this popular dessert.

Eli’s Cheesecake, located on the far Northwest Side of Chicago, is a family-owned small business that has been making hand-decorated cheesecake desserts since 1980. In honor of National Cheesecake Day, Eli’s is offering free shipping on internet orders on all 9” cheesecakes.

Learn more:
The history of Eli’s Cheesecake
National Cheesecake Day deals at The Cheesecake Factory