"Third time's a charm," Thome said. "I know Dad is really excited about going. Getting the opportunity to spend the day there with him is going to be very special. Anytime you go there, it's special enough, but to do it with your dad is even better."

Thome has made two trips to Cooperstown as a member of the Cleveland Indians to play in the annual Hall of Fame Game. But Thursday was the first time he'll get to tour the National Baseball Hall of Fame with his dad.

After flying from Boston, Thome was scheduled to arrive in Albany, N.Y., where he and his father would make the 90-minute drive to Cooperstown. Thome will repeat the circuit to rejoin the White Sox in Boston, where they open a three-game series Friday against the Red Sox.

The visit was to start with Thome presenting his 500th home run ball to Hall officials, followed by a private tour for the two.

"It will be a surreal moment," Thome said. "It will be something that I will always look at in my career, and I will always remember that day as something I shared with my dad."

Thome has 535 career homers, recently passing Hall of Famers Willie McCovey and Jimmie Foxx, and is one shy of Mickey Mantle. He's eager to see the plaques of the Hall of Famers he has passed on his climb up the all-time list.

"It will kind of put it all in perspective," he said. "You appreciate what those guys have done and how hard you've had to work to accomplish that, as well. It's very, very neat."