Frank Thomas (NL baseball player)
Encyclopedia
Frank Joseph Thomas is a former left fielder
and first
and third baseman
in Major League Baseball
who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates
(1951–58), Cincinnati Reds
(1959), Chicago Cubs
(1960–61, 1966), Milwaukee Braves (1961, 1965), New York Mets
(1962–64), Philadelphia Phillies
(1964–65), and the Houston Astros
(1965). He batted and threw right-handed.
as an amateur free agent in 1947. He debuted with the Pirates in 1951. With the Pirates, he made three All-Star Games, and finished fourth in the voting for Most Valuable Player in 1958, when he batted .281, finished second in the National League
to Ernie Banks
with 35 home run
s, and had 109 RBIs. Thomas appeared on the cover of the July 28, 1958 issue of Sports Illustrated
.
In 1959, he was traded by the Pirates with Whammy Douglas
, Jim Pendleton
and John Powers
to the Cincinnati Redlegs
for Smoky Burgess
, Harvey Haddix
and Don Hoak
. Following the season, he was traded by the Redlegs to the Chicago Cubs
for Bill Henry
, Lou Jackson and Lee Walls
. In 1961, he was traded by Cubs to the Milwaukee Braves
for Mel Roach
.
Thomas was traded by Braves with a player to be named later
(Rick Herrscher
) to the New York Mets
for a player to be named later
(Gus Bell
) and cash. Despite the team's historically poor inaugural season, Thomas led the expansion Mets with 34 HRs and 94 RBIs. His home run mark would last as a Mets' team record until 1975, when Dave Kingman
hit 36.
In 1964, Thomas was traded by the New York Mets to the Philadelphia Phillies
for Wayne Graham
, Gary Kroll
and cash. He was purchased by the Houston Astros
from the Phillies in July 1965, but was traded to Braves for a player to be named later
(Mickey Sinnerud) in September 1965.
On April 5, 1966, Thomas was released by the Braves. He signed with the Cubs on May 14, 1966, and after recording five plate appearances without a hit, he was released on June 4, 1966.
In a 16-season career, Thomas posted a .266 batting average
with 286 home run
s and 962 RBI
s in 1766 games
.
Thomas' entry in The Sporting News
' Baseball Register
during his playing career contained a reference to the fact that Thomas studied for the priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church
from 1941 through 1946. His physical stature (6'3" and 205 lbs.) was larger than the average player at that time, and one of his nicknames as a player was "The Big Donkey."
Left fielder
In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
and first
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
and third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
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...
who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
(1951–58), Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(1959), 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...
(1960–61, 1966), Milwaukee Braves (1961, 1965), New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
(1962–64), 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...
(1964–65), and 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...
(1965). He batted and threw right-handed.
Career
Thomas signed with the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
as an amateur free agent in 1947. He debuted with the Pirates in 1951. With the Pirates, he made three All-Star Games, and finished fourth in the voting for Most Valuable Player in 1958, when he batted .281, finished second in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
to Ernie Banks
Ernie Banks
Ernest "Ernie" Banks , nicknamed "Mr. Cub", is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and first baseman. He played his entire 19-year baseball career with the Chicago Cubs . He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.-High school years:Banks was a letterman and standout in football,...
with 35 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, and had 109 RBIs. Thomas appeared on the cover of the July 28, 1958 issue of Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
.
In 1959, he was traded by the Pirates with Whammy Douglas
Whammy Douglas
Charles William "Whammy" Douglas is a retired American professional baseball player. The right-handed pitcher stood tall and weighed during his active career...
, Jim Pendleton
Jim Pendleton
James Edward Pendleton , was an American professional baseball player, an outfielder in the Major Leagues between 1953 and 1962. The native of St. Charles, Missouri, played for the Milwaukee Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, and Houston Colt .45s...
and John Powers
John Powers (baseball)
John Calvin Powers was an American professional baseball player, an outfielder who played for all or parts of six seasons in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Indians.The native of Birmingham, Alabama, batted left-handed, threw...
to the Cincinnati Redlegs
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for Smoky Burgess
Smoky Burgess
Forrest Harrill "Smoky" Burgess was an American professional baseball player, coach and scout. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher from 1949 to 1967. Later in his career, he became known for his ability as a pinch hitter, setting the major league career record for career pinch-hits...
, Harvey Haddix
Harvey Haddix
Harvey Haddix, Jr. was a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher who played with the St. Louis Cardinals , Philadelphia Phillies , Cincinnati Redlegs , Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles . Haddix was born in Medway, Ohio, located just outside of Springfield...
and Don Hoak
Don Hoak
Donald Albert Hoak was a Major League Baseball player. Nicknamed "Tiger," Hoak was a third baseman who played ten seasons in the Majors with the Brooklyn Dodgers , Chicago Cubs , Cincinnati Reds , Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies...
. Following the season, he was traded by the Redlegs to 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...
for Bill Henry
Bill Henry
William Rodman Henry is a retired American professional baseball player. A left-handed pitcher, he appeared in Major League Baseball between and for the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Houston Astros...
, Lou Jackson and Lee Walls
Lee Walls
Raymond Lee Walls, Jr. , is a former professional baseball player who played outfield in the Major Leagues from 1953-1964. Walls would play for the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, and Los Angeles Dodgers. He also played one season in Japan in 1965 for the...
. In 1961, he was traded by Cubs to the Milwaukee Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Mel Roach
Mel Roach
Melvin Earl Roach was a utility player for the Milwaukee Braves , Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies .He helped the Braves win the 1958 National League Pennant....
.
Thomas was traded by Braves with a player to be named later
Player to be named later
The concept of the "player to be named later" is most often associated with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball trades.-Description:...
(Rick Herrscher
Rick Herrscher
Richard Franklin Herrscher was a Major League Baseball infielder who played for the 1962 New York Mets....
) to the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
for a player to be named later
Player to be named later
The concept of the "player to be named later" is most often associated with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball trades.-Description:...
(Gus Bell
Gus Bell
David Russell "Gus" Bell, Jr. was an American center and right fielder in Major League Baseball who played with the Pittsburgh Pirates , Cincinnati Reds/Redlegs , New York Mets and Milwaukee Braves...
) and cash. Despite the team's historically poor inaugural season, Thomas led the expansion Mets with 34 HRs and 94 RBIs. His home run mark would last as a Mets' team record until 1975, when Dave Kingman
Dave Kingman
David Arthur Kingman , nicknamed "Kong" and "Sky King", is a former Major League Baseball left fielder, first baseman, third baseman, and designated hitter. The towering 6' 6" Kingman was one of the most feared sluggers of the 1970s and 1980s...
hit 36.
In 1964, Thomas was traded by the New York Mets to 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...
for Wayne Graham
Wayne Graham
Wayne Leon Graham is a former major-league baseball player and the college baseball coach of the Rice Owls baseball team in Houston, Texas.-Playing career:...
, Gary Kroll
Gary Kroll
Gary Melvin Kroll is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for four seasons. The , righthander played for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1964, the New York Mets from 1964 to 1965, the Houston Astros in 1966, and the Cleveland Indians in 1969...
and cash. He was purchased by 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...
from the Phillies in July 1965, but was traded to Braves for a player to be named later
Player to be named later
The concept of the "player to be named later" is most often associated with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball trades.-Description:...
(Mickey Sinnerud) in September 1965.
On April 5, 1966, Thomas was released by the Braves. He signed with the Cubs on May 14, 1966, and after recording five plate appearances without a hit, he was released on June 4, 1966.
In a 16-season career, Thomas posted a .266 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
with 286 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 962 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
s in 1766 games
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
.
Thomas' entry in The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
' Baseball Register
Baseball Register
The Baseball Register, also known as the Official Baseball Register, was an annual almanac of baseball player statistics, published by The Sporting News. It was published in May after player changes had been made, at the start of the season. It ceased publication with its 2007 edition...
during his playing career contained a reference to the fact that Thomas studied for the priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
from 1941 through 1946. His physical stature (6'3" and 205 lbs.) was larger than the average player at that time, and one of his nicknames as a player was "The Big Donkey."
Family Life
Frank has been married to his wife Dolores for 60 years and they have 8 children Joanne (Dick) Harrison, Patty, Frank (Dianne) Thomas, Peter (Barb) Thomas, Maryanne (Jimmy) Pacconi, Paul (Linda) Thomas, and Father Mark Thomas. They also have 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.External links
- FrankThomasTheOriginalOne.com - Official website of Frank Thomas "The Original One"
- Baseball Library - Profile and chronology