Paul Sullivan: Jim Thome's childhood dream comes true with induction into Baseball Hall of Fame

Family and perseverance were recurring themes of Jim Thome's induction speech Sunday at the Baseball Hall of Fame ceremonies in Cooperstown, N.Y.

In a heartfelt speech on a career in which he rose from 13th-round draft pick to Hall of Fame first baseman/designated hitter, Thome said he grew up in Peoria with a dream that "did not live in my head, it lived in my heart."

"I still can't believe this has happened to me, a 13th-round draft pick out of central Illinois," he said. "To every kid that is dreaming of standing here one day, take it one