Jim Thome is an addict. Hell admit it. Thats why hes still playing baseball at 42.

What is the Orioles designated hitter hooked on? Postseason baseball specifically, a World Series title.

It would be a dream, Thome told Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal. Thats why Im still playing. Not for individual things. To get the opportunity to look into your teammates eyes at the end of the year and celebrate.

Thats what its all about. Its what it should be all about. Its what Ive dreamed of since the 90s when we were in Cleveland. You get the opportunity once, its addictive.

Its so addictive that Thome rehabbed through his neck problem to rejoin the team after missing almost two months during which the Orioles got hot and loomed large in the Yankees rearview mirror.

The frustrating thing was, as our club started to play well, here I was, down in Florida, saying, Am I going to get back? I asked that question, Thome said.

Youre rehabbing. Youre 42 years old. You see time ticking, the clock ticking. How much longer are you going to play?

For the Orioles, that answer may be: into October. And for that to happen, a veteran bat cant hurt.