Can you believe it, Buck? I have a shot at a ring here, of all places! (Getty Images)

After the 2011 season, Jim Thome's Hall of Fame resume as an individual was surely complete. He was one of only eight men in history to have more than 600 homers. He also had more than 1,500 runs and RBI while being in the top 10 all-time in walks. His 147 OPS-plus was outstanding, especially considering the era in which he played most of his career.

But the 41-year-old Thome (he's now 42) still didn't have a World Series ring. So he signed with the Phillies in hopes of getting one in what figured to be his final season. The Phillies were fresh off five consecutive NL East titles and a 102-win season. Plus, Thome's history both with Philadelphia and manager Charlie Manuel made this seem like a perfect fit.

Instead, the Phillies fell far enough back by late June that they became trade-deadline sellers and shipped Thome to Baltimore June 30. Friday, Thome was activated from the disabled list with the Orioles holding onto a wild-card spot in the standings.

And I just can't shake the feeling that if the Orioles somehow win the World Series this season, how unlikely it would be that Thome earned his first championship ring with them.

Consider:

•  Thome played for the 1990s/early 2000s Indians juggernaut, meaning he went to the playoffs six times with the Tribe. This was a team that won more than 95 games three times and was -- at the time -- a model organization.

•  Thome joined the White Sox one year after they won the World Series and had most of that team returning intact.

•  Thome was traded to the 2009 Dodgers, a team that went to the 2008 NLCS and was actually more talented in '09.

•  Thome went to Minnesota in 2010, joining the defending AL Central-champion Twins. They would win the AL Central again in 2010.

• Again, note the Phillies' position as an NL power heading into this season.

That seems like a lot of realistic opportunities to get a World Series ring. But through nine division series, four league championship series and two World Series, Thome is still without that elusive championship ring.

Will he get his first World Series ring from an Orioles team that hasn't finished above .500 since 1997? An Orioles team that entered the season with four consecutive last-place finishes and lost 93 games in 2011, marking the sixth season in a row they lost at least 90 games? An Orioles team that entered the season considered an afterthought back in March? An Orioles team that has still given up more runs than it has scored on the season?

Just imagine how improbable that would be.

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