Mark Thurmond
Encyclopedia
Mark Anthony Thurmond (born September 12, 1956 in Houston, Texas
), is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1983-1990. He was never on the disabled list
in his career.
out of Texas A&M University
in the 24th round of the 1978 MLB Draft, but he chose not to sign. He was then drafted by the Padres in the fifth round of the 1979 MLB Draft, and he signed that time. As a rookie in 1983, Thurmond went 7-3 with a 2.65 ERA, and he was tied for ninth in the 1983 NL Rookie of the Year Award voting. In 1984, he had the best season of his career, going 14-8 with a 2.97 ERA as the Padres won the National League West
. He lost Game 2 of the National League Championship Series
, giving up 4 runs in 3 2/3 innings, but it didn't matter in the end as the Padres overcame an 0-2 deficit in the series to beat the Chicago Cubs
3 games to 2. He was also the losing pitcher in Game 1 of the 1984 World Series
against the Detroit Tigers
, giving up only three runs, but only lasting 5 innings. Thurmond also started Game 5, and although he only lasted 1/3 of an inning, he gave up three runs again but earned a no-decision this time. The 1985 season was sort of a let-down for Thurmond, as he went 7-11 with a 3.97 ERA (an entire run higher than 1984) and only started 23 of his 36 games. In 1986, Thurmond got off to a very rocky start, going 3-7 with a 6.50 ERA in his first 17 games (15 starts). On July 9, 1986, he was traded to the Detroit Tigers
for pitcher Dave LaPoint
.
for Ray Knight
.
. The following season was better for Thurmond, as he went 2-4 with a 3.90 ERA in 49 games while pitching almost entirely out of the bullpen.
. However, he didn't pitch with them at all. Instead, he pitched in 9 games for the Tucson Toros
, the Astro's AAA affiliate, posting a 3.27 ERA with no decisions. On May 1, he was sent to the San Francisco Giants
as part of a conditional deal.
, the Giants AAA affiliate, going 0-3 with a 3.42 ERA in 26 games.
, and works for an insurance business his father started.
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
), is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1983-1990. He was never on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
in his career.
San Diego Padres (1983-1986)
Thurmond was originally drafted by the San Diego PadresSan 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...
out of Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
in the 24th round of the 1978 MLB Draft, but he chose not to sign. He was then drafted by the Padres in the fifth round of the 1979 MLB Draft, and he signed that time. As a rookie in 1983, Thurmond went 7-3 with a 2.65 ERA, and he was tied for ninth in the 1983 NL Rookie of the Year Award voting. In 1984, he had the best season of his career, going 14-8 with a 2.97 ERA as the Padres won the National League West
National League West
The National League Western Division, or NL West, is one of the three divisions of Major League Baseball's National League. It was created in 1969 when the previously undivided National League expanded its membership to twelve teams, positioning half of them in an Eastern division and the other...
. He lost Game 2 of the National League Championship Series
National League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the National League Championship Series is a round in the postseason that determines who wins the National League pennant and advances to Major League Baseball's championship, the World Series, facing the winner of the American League Championship Series. The reigning...
, giving up 4 runs in 3 2/3 innings, but it didn't matter in the end as the Padres overcame an 0-2 deficit in the series to beat 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...
3 games to 2. He was also the losing pitcher in Game 1 of the 1984 World Series
1984 World Series
The 1984 World Series began on October 9 and ended on October 14, 1984. The American League champion Detroit Tigers played against the National League champion San Diego Padres, with the Tigers winning the series four games to one....
against the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, giving up only three runs, but only lasting 5 innings. Thurmond also started Game 5, and although he only lasted 1/3 of an inning, he gave up three runs again but earned a no-decision this time. The 1985 season was sort of a let-down for Thurmond, as he went 7-11 with a 3.97 ERA (an entire run higher than 1984) and only started 23 of his 36 games. In 1986, Thurmond got off to a very rocky start, going 3-7 with a 6.50 ERA in his first 17 games (15 starts). On July 9, 1986, he was traded to the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for pitcher Dave LaPoint
Dave LaPoint
David Jeffrey LaPoint was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently the manager of the Rockland Boulders, an American professional baseball team based in Pomona, New York and member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball known as the Can-Am League.-Early life and...
.
Detroit Tigers (1986-87)
Thurmond really turned things around upon his arrival in Detroit, although it was mostly in the bullpen. He finished the year with the Tigers 4-1, with a 1.92 ERA in 25 games (4 starts). His next season with the Tigers was the first in which he didn't start a single game, as he went 0-1 with a 4.23 ERA in 48 games out of the bullpen. He made his final playoff appearance in Game 4 of the 1987 ALCS, pitching 1/3 of an inning without giving up a run. On February 26, 1988, the Tigers traded Thurmond to the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
for Ray Knight
Ray Knight
Charles Ray Knight is a former right-handed Major League Baseball third baseman best remembered for his time with the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets...
.
Baltimore Orioles (1988-89)
Thurmond's first season with the Orioles, like their season in 1988, wasn't that great. He went 1-8 with a 4.58 ERA in 43 games (6 starts) while the Orioles finished last in the American LeagueAmerican League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
. The following season was better for Thurmond, as he went 2-4 with a 3.90 ERA in 49 games while pitching almost entirely out of the bullpen.
Houston Astros (1990)
On February 1, 1990, Thurmond signed with the Houston AstrosHouston 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...
. However, he didn't pitch with them at all. Instead, he pitched in 9 games for the Tucson Toros
Tucson Toros
The Tucson Toros are a professional baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona, in the United States. They are owned by Tucson Baseball, LLC with Jay Zucker as chairman of the board. Sean Smock is the team's general manager....
, the Astro's AAA affiliate, posting a 3.27 ERA with no decisions. On May 1, he was sent to the San Francisco 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....
as part of a conditional deal.
San Francisco Giants (1990)
Thurmond pitched pretty well out of the bullpen for the Giants, going 2-3 with a 3.34 ERA in 43 games. However, 1990 was his final year in the major leagues. In 1991, he finished his career with the Phoenix FirebirdsPhoenix Firebirds
The Phoenix Firebirds, formerly the Phoenix Giants, were a Minor League Baseball team that played in Phoenix, Arizona, USA from 1958-1959, and 1966 until 1997....
, the Giants AAA affiliate, going 0-3 with a 3.42 ERA in 26 games.
Personal life
Thurmond currently resides in Katy, TexasKaty, Texas
Katy is a city located in Harris, Fort Bend and Waller Counties in the U.S. state of Texas, within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area...
, and works for an insurance business his father started.