Some players are real jerks. Then there’s Jim Thome. The Cleveland slugger may be the nicest guy in the game. He’s definitely the hottest hitter.

Thome homered in his seventh straight game last night to push his AL lead to 26 homers in the Indians’ 11-8 loss to the Yankees.

He is one game short of tying the major-league record for home runs in consecutive games, a record shared by Don Mattingly, Ken Griffey Jr. and Dale Long.

Indian manager Charlie Manuel thinks Thome can tie the record today against Mike Mussina.

“He’s got a chance, a good chance,” Manuel said.

Despite all that, Thome did not find his way onto the All-Star team. And he was voted off the All-Star island by the fans in the race for the final slot.

Still, Thome likes the idea of the fans having the last word, and he’s not upset that AL All-Star manager Joe Torre didn’t add him to the squad.

“There’s so many good players out there,” Thome said. “It’s tough to make everybody happy. That’s not saying I wouldn’t want to go, because I think it’s an honor and I feel very privileged to go, but I like it that the fans have a say.”

Thome is not getting carried away with his streak. “The most important thing is winning games,” said Thome, whose team is being gutted to save payroll. “Home runs and two, three hits a game are nice, but when you walk away and you don’t win the game, that’s tough.”

Thome’s home run last night was a booming shot to left-center in the seventh off David Wells.

“I just hope he stays hot,” Manuel said. “Hopefully he’ll stay in it for a long time.”

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JIM’S JOLTS

Here’s a look at Jim Thome’s seven-game consecutive home run streak:

6/25 – off Frank Castillo (Red Sox), two on

6/26 – off Pedro Martinez (Red Sox), solo

6/28 – off Greg Swindell (D’backs), solo

6/29 – off Brian Anderson (D’backs), solo

6/30 – off Curt Schilling (D’backs, solo

7/2 – off Roger Clemens (Yankees), one on

7/3 – off David Wells (Yankees), solo