Don Thompson (baseball)
| Don Thompson | |
|---|---|
.JPG) | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: December 28, 1923 Swepsonville, North Carolina | |
| Died: September 28, 2009 (aged 85) Asheville, North Carolina | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 24, 1949, for the Boston Braves | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 22, 1954, for the Brooklyn Dodgers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .218 |
| Home runs | 1 |
| Runs scored | 52 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
| |
Donald Newlin Thompson (December 28, 1923 – September 28, 2009) was a Major League Baseball player. He was an outfielder for the Boston Braves and Brooklyn Dodgers from 1949 to 1954.
Baseball career
[edit]Thompson was born in Swepsonville, North Carolina. In 1943, he signed with the Boston Red Sox organization as a pitcher. He pitched in the minor leagues for a few years but then hurt his arm.[1] He converted into an outfielder, and in 1947 he hit .328 for the Class D Milford Red Sox.[2]
Thompson made his Major League debut in 1949 for the Braves. After the season, he was traded to the Dodgers and spent 1950 with their top minor league club, the International League's Montreal Royals. He led the Royals in all three triple crown categories[3] and was promoted to the Major League team in 1951. As a backup outfielder in 1951, Thompson hit just .229. He had the lowest batting average and OPS of any Dodger player with over 100 at-bats,[4] and Brooklyn lost the pennant by one game.
In 1952, Thompson returned to Montreal and batted .345. He was Brooklyn's left fielder in 1953. His career highlight came in game 4 of that year's World Series, when he threw out the New York Yankees' Billy Martin at home plate to end the game.[5] In 1954, Thompson hit just .040 in 34 games and was again sent down to Montreal. He retired after the season.
Later life
[edit]Thompson went into the automobile business after his baseball days were over and later became a real estate agent. He was elected into the Brooklyn Dodgers Hall of Fame in 1997.[1]
Thompson died in 2009, at the age of 85.
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Don Thompson, 85, Former Brooklyn Dodger, 1923-2009". baseballhappenings.net. Retrieved 2010-11-03.
- ^ "Don Thompson Minor League Statistics & History". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 2010-11-03.
- ^ "1950 Montreal Royals Statistics". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 2010-11-03.
- ^ "1951 Brooklyn Dodgers". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved 2010-11-03.
- ^ "Don Thompson's Obit". thedeadballera.com. Retrieved 2010-11-03.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- 1923 births
- 2009 deaths
- Major League Baseball outfielders
- Boston Braves players
- Brooklyn Dodgers players
- Roanoke Red Sox players
- Scranton Miners players
- Louisville Colonels (minor league) players
- Milford Red Sox players
- Columbus Red Birds players
- Rochester Red Wings players
- Montreal Royals players
- Baseball players from Alamance County, North Carolina
- People from Swepsonville, North Carolina