Jul 03, 2010 6:56 PM EST

Twins slugger Jim Thome homered in his first two at-bats Saturday to pass Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew for 10th place on the all-time list with 574 home runs.

"I talked to Jim quite a bit when I was in spring training," Killebrew said after Thome's first homer. "I told him, 'Don't feel bad if you pass me up, because I passed up a lot of guys in my career.' "

The team played a previously taped message from Killebrew, congratulating Thome on the achievement.

"I'm glad he was able to hit it in a Twins uniform," Killebrew said. "I only wish I could have been there to see it."

Via ESPN