Herb Thomas (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Herbert Mark Thomas was a right-handed minor and major league baseball player and minor league manager. Although his major league career lasted only three seasons, 1924, 1925 and 1927, for two different teams, the Boston Braves
and New York Giants
, his minor league career spanned 17 seasons. He played professionally in three different decades.
. He played in 112 games with them, hitting .298 with 19 doubles, 14 triples and four home runs in 426 at-bats. The following season, Thomas played for the Daytona Beach Islanders
, hitting .387 with 13 doubles, five triples and no home runs in only 297 at-bats. He played for the Islanders in 1924, who became the Clearwater Pelicans partway that season, hitting .345 with 32 doubles, eight triples and three home runs in 94 games. His minor league performance that season was so impressive that he was purchased by the Braves from Daytona Beach on August 9, and on August 18 he made his major league debut. In 32 major league games in 1924, he hit .220 with only six extra-base hits in 127 at-bats.
In 1925, Thomas mostly played for the Worcester Panthers
, hitting .338 with 33 doubles, five triples and four home runs in 126 games. He also spent five games in the big leagues that season, hitting .235 in 17 at-bats. With the Providence Rubes
in 1926, the 24-year old Thomas hit .326 with 38 doubles, 12 triples and three home runs in 620 games, over the course of 153 games.
Thomas did not play in the minors in 1927. He spent 24 games with the Braves, hitting .230 in 74 at-bats with them. On June 12, he was traded to the Giants with Larry Benton
and Zack Taylor
for Doc Farrell
, Kent Greenfield
and Hugh McQuillan
. He played 13 games with the Giants, hitting .176 in 17 at-bats. Overall, he hit .220 in 37 games that year. On September 22, he played his final big league game.
Although his major league career was over, Thomas' minor league career was years from completion - he would end up playing until 1942. He played for the Buffalo Bisons in 1928, hitting .326 with 34 doubles, seven triples and ten home runs in 154 games. He played for the Bisons and Toledo Mud Hens
in 1929, hitting a combined .307 with 22 doubles, five triples and 14 home runs in 137 games. With the Newark Bears
and Bisons in 1930, Thomas played a total of 168 games, hitting .322 with 43 doubles, 12 triples and 19 home runs in 677 at-bats.
His averaged dipped to .276 in 1931, while playing again for Newark. That season, he hit 34 doubles, four triples and six home runs. For the Montreal Royals
in 1932, Thomas hit .306 with 36 doubles, seven triples and five home runs in 142 games. In 1933, he struggled mightily while splitting the season between three teams - the Harrisburg Senators
, Jersey City Skeeters
and Albany Senators - hitting only .235 with 26 doubles, no triples and one home run in 107 games. He played only eight games in 1934, all for the Lima Buckeyes
. In those eight games, he hit only .148 with one double and one triple.
Thomas did not play professionally in 1935, although he did play in 1936. He split the season between the Jacksonville Tars and Augusta Tigers
, hitting a combined .277 with 18 doubles, four triples and no home runs in 94 games. As in 1935, Thomas did not play professionally in 1937. He came back in 1938, however, hitting .250 with five doubles, no triples and no home runs in 52 games for the Palatka Azaleas
.
Once again, Thomas skipped a season, not playing professionally in 1939. He came back strong in 1940, when - at 38 years old - he hit .352 with 25 doubles, one triple and no home runs in 389 at-bats for the Fort Lauderdale Tarpons
. He hit above .300 in 1941 as well, hitting .301 in 96 games, splitting the season between Fort Lauderdale and the Greenville Lions
. 1942 was his final professional season - in only eight games for the West Palm Beach Indians
, he hit .185 in 27 at-bats.
Overall, Thomas' major league career lasted only 74 games. He hit only .221 with 11 doubles, four triples and one home run in 235 big league at-bats. His minor league career was far more successful, however. In 17 seasons, he hit .312 in 1760 games. In 6676 at-bats, he collected 2080 hits, 397 of which were doubles, 88 of which were triples and 71 of which were home runs.
following his baseball career. He engaged in the lumber business and later operated Herb's Restaurant in Starke, Florida.
Following his death, he was interred at Oak Hill Cemetery in Palatka, Florida
.
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....
and New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, his minor league career spanned 17 seasons. He played professionally in three different decades.
Features
Thomas threw and batted right-handed. He was only 5'4.5" tall and he weighed only 157 pounds.Professional baseball career
Thomas' minor league career began in 1922 at the age of 20 with the Jacksonville IndiansJacksonville Indians
The Jacksonville Indians were a minor league baseball team based in Jacksonville, Florida. They played in the Class-D Florida State League for one season in 1922. They were managed by George Stovall. As a 44 year old, Stovall also played in 65 games for them....
. He played in 112 games with them, hitting .298 with 19 doubles, 14 triples and four home runs in 426 at-bats. The following season, Thomas played for the Daytona Beach Islanders
Daytona Beach Islanders
Daytona Beach Islanders was the name used by several different minor league baseball teams that have all played in the Florida State League.-History:...
, hitting .387 with 13 doubles, five triples and no home runs in only 297 at-bats. He played for the Islanders in 1924, who became the Clearwater Pelicans partway that season, hitting .345 with 32 doubles, eight triples and three home runs in 94 games. His minor league performance that season was so impressive that he was purchased by the Braves from Daytona Beach on August 9, and on August 18 he made his major league debut. In 32 major league games in 1924, he hit .220 with only six extra-base hits in 127 at-bats.
In 1925, Thomas mostly played for the Worcester Panthers
Worcester Panthers
The Worcester Panthers were an Eastern League baseball team based in Worcester, Massachusetts. They existed from 1923 to 1925.They were managed by Hall of Fame baseball player Jesse Burkett in 1923 and 1924. He led them to a79-74 record in 1923, and a 70-82 record in 1924...
, hitting .338 with 33 doubles, five triples and four home runs in 126 games. He also spent five games in the big leagues that season, hitting .235 in 17 at-bats. With the Providence Rubes
Providence Rubes
The Providence Rubes were an Eastern League baseball team based in Providence, Rhode Island. Their manager was Rube Marquard, after whom the team was presumably named. They were the league champions in 1926, their only year of existence....
in 1926, the 24-year old Thomas hit .326 with 38 doubles, 12 triples and three home runs in 620 games, over the course of 153 games.
Thomas did not play in the minors in 1927. He spent 24 games with the Braves, hitting .230 in 74 at-bats with them. On June 12, he was traded to the Giants with Larry Benton
Larry Benton
Lawrence James Benton was an American baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher over parts of thirteen seasons with the Boston Braves, New York Giants and Cincinnati Reds. He was the National League wins leader in 1928 with New York...
and Zack Taylor
Zack Taylor (baseball)
James Wren "Zack" Taylor was an American Major League Baseball catcher with the Brooklyn Robins, Boston Braves, New York Giants, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, and again with the Brooklyn Dodgers....
for Doc Farrell
Doc Farrell
Edward Stephen "Doc" Farrell was a utility infielder in Major League Baseball, playing mainly as a shortstop between and for the New York Giants , Boston Braves , St. Louis Cardinals , Chicago Cubs , New York Yankees , and Boston Red Sox...
, Kent Greenfield
Kent Greenfield
Kent Greenfield was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched from 1924-1929.-External links:...
and Hugh McQuillan
Hugh McQuillan
Alvin Hugh McQuillan was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1918 to 1927. He played for the Boston Braves and New York Giants.-External links:...
. He played 13 games with the Giants, hitting .176 in 17 at-bats. Overall, he hit .220 in 37 games that year. On September 22, he played his final big league game.
Although his major league career was over, Thomas' minor league career was years from completion - he would end up playing until 1942. He played for the Buffalo Bisons in 1928, hitting .326 with 34 doubles, seven triples and ten home runs in 154 games. He played for the Bisons and 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...
in 1929, hitting a combined .307 with 22 doubles, five triples and 14 home runs in 137 games. With the Newark Bears
Newark Bears (1926-1949)
The Newark Bears were a team in the International League from 1926 to 1949. They played their home games at Ruppert Stadium in what is now known as the Ironbound section of Newark; the stadium was demolished in 1967....
and Bisons in 1930, Thomas played a total of 168 games, hitting .322 with 43 doubles, 12 triples and 19 home runs in 677 at-bats.
His averaged dipped to .276 in 1931, while playing again for Newark. That season, he hit 34 doubles, four triples and six home runs. For the Montreal Royals
Montreal Royals
The Montreal Royals were a minor league professional baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, that existed from 1897–1917 and from 1928–60 as a member of the International League and its progenitor, the original Eastern League...
in 1932, Thomas hit .306 with 36 doubles, seven triples and five home runs in 142 games. In 1933, he struggled mightily while splitting the season between three teams - the Harrisburg Senators
Harrisburg Senators
The Harrisburg Senators are a minor league baseball team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals....
, Jersey City Skeeters
Jersey City Skeeters
The Jersey City Skeeters were a minor league baseball team which operated in Jersey City, New Jersey. The club started in the 1860s and by 1870 joined the National Association of Base Ball Players....
and Albany Senators - hitting only .235 with 26 doubles, no triples and one home run in 107 games. He played only eight games in 1934, all for the Lima Buckeyes
Lima Buckeyes
The Lima Buckeyes were a very short-lived Central League baseball team, based in Lima, Ohio. Their existence consisted of only eight games in 1934, each of which they lost. Their manager was Jess Orndorff. They disbanded on May 26 of that season....
. In those eight games, he hit only .148 with one double and one triple.
Thomas did not play professionally in 1935, although he did play in 1936. He split the season between the Jacksonville Tars and Augusta Tigers
Augusta Tigers
The Augusta Tigers were a minor league baseball team that existed on-and-off from 1936 to 1958. Based in Augusta, Georgia, they played in the South Atlantic League from 1936 to 1942, from 1946 to 1952 and from 1955 to 1958. They were affiliated with the Detroit Tigers in 1936, from 1941 to 1942 and...
, hitting a combined .277 with 18 doubles, four triples and no home runs in 94 games. As in 1935, Thomas did not play professionally in 1937. He came back in 1938, however, hitting .250 with five doubles, no triples and no home runs in 52 games for the Palatka Azaleas
Palatka Azaleas
The Palatka Azaleas were a minor league baseball team that existed from 1936 to 1939 and from 1946 to 1953. They played in the Florida State League. In 1936, they were affiliated with the Detroit Tigers, in 1937 they were affiliated with the New York Yankees, and in 1949 they were affiliated with...
.
Once again, Thomas skipped a season, not playing professionally in 1939. He came back strong in 1940, when - at 38 years old - he hit .352 with 25 doubles, one triple and no home runs in 389 at-bats for the Fort Lauderdale Tarpons
Fort Lauderdale Tarpons
The Fort Lauderdale Tarpons were a minor league baseball team that played in the Florida State League in 1928 and in the Florida East Coast League from 1940 to 1942. Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, they were affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1940....
. He hit above .300 in 1941 as well, hitting .301 in 96 games, splitting the season between Fort Lauderdale and the Greenville Lions
Greenville Lions (baseball)
The Greenville Lions were a minor league baseball team that existed from 1939 to 1941 and from 1946 to 1947. They played in the Alabama-Florida League in 1939, and in the Alabama State League for the rest of their existence. In 1939, they were affiliated with the Chicago White Sox, and in 1940 they...
. 1942 was his final professional season - in only eight games for the West Palm Beach Indians
West Palm Beach Indians
The West Palm Beach Indians were a minor league baseball team based in West Palm Beach, Florida. They played in the Florida East Coast League in from 1940 to 1942, the Florida International League from 1946 to 1954, and the Florida State League in 1955. They were affiliated with the Philadelphia...
, he hit .185 in 27 at-bats.
Overall, Thomas' major league career lasted only 74 games. He hit only .221 with 11 doubles, four triples and one home run in 235 big league at-bats. His minor league career was far more successful, however. In 17 seasons, he hit .312 in 1760 games. In 6676 at-bats, he collected 2080 hits, 397 of which were doubles, 88 of which were triples and 71 of which were home runs.
After professional baseball
Thomas served in World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
following his baseball career. He engaged in the lumber business and later operated Herb's Restaurant in Starke, Florida.
Following his death, he was interred at Oak Hill Cemetery in Palatka, Florida
Palatka, Florida
Palatka is a city in Putnam County, Florida, United States. The population was 10,033 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 10,796. It is the county seat of Putnam County and includes East Palatka. Palatka is the principal city of the Palatka...
.