5 Phillies with James Harden-esque exciting debuts in recent history

5. Jim Thome’s Phillies debut — March 31, 2003

The single player who could be credited to sparking the 2007 through 2011 Phillies postseason window is now-Hall of Fame slugger Jim Thome.

The picture of Thome with the construction crew at the site of Citizens Bank Park comes to mind. After many years of disappointment following the 1993 World Series defeat to the Toronto Blue Jays, the Illinois native choosing to come to Philadelphia was no-doubt franchise-altering.

Leading up to his Phillies debut in late-March 2003, Thome was already a 12-year veteran, three-time All-Star and Silver Slugger winner — playing his entire career since 1991 as a member of the Cleveland Indians. Through 1,377 games, he slugged 334 home runs and 927 RBI.

Away against the Florida Marlins, Thome’s first game in a Phillies uniform was anything but disappointing. Although he did not homer, Thome still went 3-for-4 with a double, RBI, and walk. The Phillies won the game, 8-5, and eventually the three-game series.

Similar to Cliff Lee — another former Indians star — Thome returned to the Phillies on a second stint. However, Thome’s second stint in red pinstripes did not get off to a notable start in 2012, as he went hitless in his first four games and six plate appearances, before logging a hit and walk in an April 13 start against the New York Mets.

Whether it was Roy Halladay, Bryce Harper, Cliff Lee, Domonic Brown, Thome or players not mentioned on this list, surely there are many recent Phillies players whose debuts were just as exciting as James Harden’s Philadelphia 76ers debut on Friday.