Erskine Thomason
Encyclopedia
Melvin Erskine Thomason (born August 13, 1948) was a professional baseball
player whose career spanned seven seasons, one of which was spent with the Major League Baseball
(MLB) Philadelphia Phillies
. Thomason played in one MLB game, pitching an inning
for the Phillies on September 18, 1974. He struck out
one batter while also recording two groundouts. Thomason was officially listed as standing 6 in 1 in (185.42 cm) and weighing 190 pounds (86.2 kg).
Born and raised in South Carolina, Thomason first played professionally with the Pulaski Phillies in 1970. Over the next three seasons, he played for various minor league teams in the Phillies organization before making his MLB debut in 1974. After playing another season of minor league baseball, Thomason worked for the South Carolina Tax Commission before pitching for the Reading Phillies
in 1979. Thomason served as a minor league pitching coach until his retirement in 1987.
. His mother, Dorothy Cain Thomason, died in child birth, while his father, Furman Erskine Thomason, worked as a farmer. In 1966, Thomason graduated from Laurens High School
, where he played football and basketball in addition to baseball. He attended college at Anderson College
from 1968 until 1969, and attended Erskine College
from 1969 until 1970 when he graduated with a bachelor's degree in physical education.
. After signing with the Phillies on June 10, 1970, Thomason began his career with the Pulaski Phillies (currently the Pulaski Mariners
) of the Appalachian League
in 1970. In his minor league career, Thomason played for the Spartanburg Phillies, the Peninsula Phillies, the Burlington Rangers, the Reading Phillies
, and the Toledo Mud Hens
. Over his minor league career, Thomason recorded 54 wins and 47 losses, for a win–loss percentage of .535. Thomason also posted an earned run average
of 3.40, allowing 443 runs
off of 883 hits
.
Thomason made his Major League debut on September 18, 1974, for the Philadelphia Phillies, in a game against the Chicago Cubs
. Thomason pitched in relief
of Gene Garber
in the top of the ninth inning, recording one strikeout
against three batters faced, in a 5–2 Phillies loss.
After retiring from playing baseball, Thomason served as the pitching coach for the Spartanburg Phillies from 1980 until 1981. Thomason currently lives in Laurens, South Carolina.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player whose career spanned seven seasons, one of which was spent with the 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...
(MLB) 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...
. Thomason played in one MLB game, pitching an inning
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
for the Phillies on September 18, 1974. He struck out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
one batter while also recording two groundouts. Thomason was officially listed as standing 6 in 1 in (185.42 cm) and weighing 190 pounds (86.2 kg).
Born and raised in South Carolina, Thomason first played professionally with the Pulaski Phillies in 1970. Over the next three seasons, he played for various minor league teams in the Phillies organization before making his MLB debut in 1974. After playing another season of minor league baseball, Thomason worked for the South Carolina Tax Commission before pitching for the Reading Phillies
Reading Phillies
The Reading Phillies are a minor league baseball team based in Reading, Pennsylvania, playing in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League. Since the 1967 season, they have been the AA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies....
in 1979. Thomason served as a minor league pitching coach until his retirement in 1987.
Early life
Melvin Erskine Thomason on August 13, 1948, in Laurens, South CarolinaLaurens, South Carolina
Laurens is a city in Laurens County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 9,916 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Laurens County.-History:...
. His mother, Dorothy Cain Thomason, died in child birth, while his father, Furman Erskine Thomason, worked as a farmer. In 1966, Thomason graduated from Laurens High School
Laurens District 55 High School
Laurens District 55 High School, also referred to as "LDHS" or simply "Laurens High School" is a 4 year public high school in Laurens, South Carolina.It is the only high school in Laurens School District 55, and one of two in Laurens County, South Carolina...
, where he played football and basketball in addition to baseball. He attended college at Anderson College
Anderson University (South Carolina)
Anderson University is a private comprehensive university located in Anderson, South Carolina, offering bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in approximately 60 areas of study. Anderson is affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention and is accredited as a Level V institution by the...
from 1968 until 1969, and attended Erskine College
Erskine College
Erskine College is a four year, Christian liberal arts college located in Due West, South Carolina.-Early history:Established in 1839 by the Associate Reformed Synod of the South as an academy for men, Erskine College became the first four year, church-related college in South Carolina...
from 1969 until 1970 when he graduated with a bachelor's degree in physical education.
Professional career
Thomason was drafted by the Phillies in the 22nd round of the 1970 Major League Baseball Draft1970 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1970 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The regular and secondary phases of the January draft proved more fruitful to major league clubs than the June draft...
. After signing with the Phillies on June 10, 1970, Thomason began his career with the Pulaski Phillies (currently the Pulaski Mariners
Pulaski Mariners
The Pulaski Mariners are a minor league baseball team based in Pulaski, Virginia, United States. They are an Advanced Rookie League team in the Appalachian League, and a farm team of the Seattle Mariners. The team plays its home games at Calfee Park. They have previously been affiliated with...
) of the Appalachian League
Appalachian League
The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee...
in 1970. In his minor league career, Thomason played for the Spartanburg Phillies, the Peninsula Phillies, the Burlington Rangers, the Reading Phillies
Reading Phillies
The Reading Phillies are a minor league baseball team based in Reading, Pennsylvania, playing in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League. Since the 1967 season, they have been the AA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies....
, and the Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
. Over his minor league career, Thomason recorded 54 wins and 47 losses, for a win–loss percentage of .535. Thomason also posted an earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 3.40, allowing 443 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
off of 883 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
.
Thomason made his Major League debut on September 18, 1974, for the Philadelphia Phillies, in a game against the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. Thomason pitched in relief
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
of Gene Garber
Gene Garber
Henry Eugene Garber is a former sidearm relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 20th round of the amateur draft, and pitched for the Pirates, the Kansas City Royals, the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Atlanta Braves.Upon his retirement in , his...
in the top of the ninth inning, recording one strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
against three batters faced, in a 5–2 Phillies loss.
After retiring from playing baseball, Thomason served as the pitching coach for the Spartanburg Phillies from 1980 until 1981. Thomason currently lives in Laurens, South Carolina.