Dickie Thon
Encyclopedia
Richard William "Dickie" Thon (born June 20, 1958 in South Bend, Indiana
) is a former shortstop
in Major League Baseball
.
.
as an amateur free agent on November 23, 1975 while in high school in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
. During his 15-year career, Thon spent two seasons with the Angels (1979–1980), seven seasons with the Houston Astros
(1981–1987), one season with the San Diego Padres
(1988), three seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies
(1989–1991), one season with the Texas Rangers
(1992), and finished his career with the Milwaukee Brewers
(1993).
fastball. http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1984/B04080HOU1984.htm The pitch broke the orbital bone around his left eye and ended his 1984 season. He returned in 1985, but suffered from problems with depth perception that permanently hampered his potential. In 1991, Thon received the Tony Conigliaro Award
in recognition of his recovery from this severe injury.
Thon's son, Dickie Joe Thon, was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays
in the 5th round, 156th overall in the June 2010 baseball draft and is currently playing for the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays.
Thon was inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum
Hall of Fame on September 13, 2003. He recently opened a chain of Jiffy Lube auto stores.
South Bend, Indiana
The city of South Bend is the county seat of St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States, on the St. Joseph River near its southernmost bend, from which it derives its name. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total of 101,168 residents; its Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 316,663...
) is a former shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Early life
Thon was raised in Puerto Rico after spending only the first two weeks of his life in Indiana where his father had just completed a bachelor's degree at the University of Notre DameUniversity of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
.
Professional career
He was signed by the California AngelsLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
as an amateur free agent on November 23, 1975 while in high school in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
Río Piedras, Puerto Rico
Río Piedras is a district of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Founded in 1714, it has been the home of the University of Puerto Rico's main campus since 1903, earning the town the popular name of Ciudad Universitaria...
. During his 15-year career, Thon spent two seasons with the Angels (1979–1980), seven seasons with the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
(1981–1987), one season with the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
(1988), three seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(1989–1991), one season with the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
(1992), and finished his career with the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(1993).
Potential and beaning
Touted by some as a future Hall of Famer, his career was permanently altered on April 8, 1984, when he was hit in the face by a Mike TorrezMike Torrez
Michael Augustine Torrez is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball.-Career:Torrez had an 18-year career from 1967 to 1984. He played for the St...
fastball. http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1984/B04080HOU1984.htm The pitch broke the orbital bone around his left eye and ended his 1984 season. He returned in 1985, but suffered from problems with depth perception that permanently hampered his potential. In 1991, Thon received the Tony Conigliaro Award
Tony Conigliaro Award
The Tony Conigliaro Award is a national award instituted in 1990 by the Boston Red Sox to honor the memory of their former star Tony Conigliaro. It is given annually to a Major League Baseball player who best overcomes an obstacle and adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and...
in recognition of his recovery from this severe injury.
Personal life
Thon is a third-generation baseball player. He is the grandson of Freddie Thon (a native Puerto Rican who played and managed in the Puerto Rican Baseball League during World War II). His father Freddie Thon who signed a major-league contract but injured his arm before reporting to training, played semi-pro baseball while finishing college at Notre Dame, and coached all of his sons throughout their Little League and teenage years. Dickie's brother Frankie Thon is also affiliated with major league baseball in both the U.S. and Puerto Rico having been a player, a manager and a current major-league scout, as well as the general manager of the Caguas Criollos in the Puerto Rican Winter Leagues.Thon's son, Dickie Joe Thon, was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
in the 5th round, 156th overall in the June 2010 baseball draft and is currently playing for the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays.
Thon was inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum
Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum
The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame, Inc., was founded in San Francisco, California, in June 1999 by its founder Mr.Gabriel "Tito" Avila, Jr., as a way to honor the greatest Hispanic baseball players of all time. The organization is a not-for-profit institution...
Hall of Fame on September 13, 2003. He recently opened a chain of Jiffy Lube auto stores.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases
- List of Major League Baseball triples champions
External links
- Dickie Thon Fan Club Forum http://www.dickiethon.com/forum2008/index.php