Mike Thompson (1970s pitcher)
Encyclopedia
Michael Wayne Thompson is a former right-handed Major League Baseball
pitcher who played in the big leagues in 1971 and from 1973 to 1975 for the Washington Senators
, St. Louis Cardinals
and Atlanta Braves
. Prior to playing professionally, he attended Ponca City High School
in Ponca City, Oklahoma
.
Thompson's professional career began in 1967, after he was drafted in the third round in that year's draft. He played for the Geneva Senators
, going 2-5 with a 3.76 ERA in 10 games started. The following year, he played for the Salisbury Senators
, going 7-13 with a 4.27 ERA in 29 games (23 games started). In 1969, he improved drastically, going 9-5 with a 2.09 ERA in 18 games for the Burlington Senators. The 1970 season was split between the Denver Bears and Pittsfield Senators
, going 0-2 with a 10.38 ERA for the former and 5-9 with a 5.32 ERA for the latter.
He would make his big league debut in 1971, on May 19 against the Baltimore Orioles
. Although he allowed only one hit earned run in seven innings, he also walked nine batters and struck out only one. He earned the loss in his big league debut. Overall, he would go 1-6 with a 4.86 ERA in 16 big league games (12 starts). He allowed more walks than hits, surrendering 54 walks to 53 hits in 66 2/3 innings. He struck out only 41 batters. Thompson also spent time with the Denver Bears in 1971, going 5-3 with a 4.20 ERA in 11 games (nine starts).
His 1972 season was spent with the Bears, and with them he went 6-8 with a 4.10 ERA in 20 games (18 starts). On March 31, 1973, he was sent to the Cardinals as the player to be named later in a deal that originally occurred on February 1 of that year. The trade involved the Rangers receiving Charlie Hudson
and a player to be named later (who would end up being Mike Nagy) in return for a player to be named later (Thompson). Thompson spent most of 1973 in the minors, with the Tulsa Oilers
. With them, he went 7-7 with a 2.82 ERA in 20 games. However, he did make two starts in the big leagues, going 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA in four innings of work.
In 1974, Thompson began the season with the Cardinals, going 0-3 with a 5.63 ERA with them. He was purchased by the Braves from the Cardinals on September 10, and he went 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA in one game with the Braves. Overall, he walked 37 batters in 42 1/3 innings, while striking out only 27 batters. He also made ten starts for the Oilers that year, going 5-4 with a 3.55 ERA.
For the Braves in 1975, he made 16 big league appearances, starting 10 of those games. He went 0-6 with a 4.70 ERA, and played his final big league game on September 5, 1975. On April 7, 1976, he was traded by the Braves to the Cincinnati Reds
for Terry Crowley
. He played for the Indianapolis Indians
in the Reds organization that year, going 5-7 with a 3.97 ERA in 21 games with them. On November 8, he was traded to the Texas Rangers for minor leaguer Art DeFilippis. Thompson retired after 1976, however.
In 54 big league appearances (29 starts), Thompson went 1-5 with a 4.86 ERA. In 164 2/3 innings, he allowed 158 hits, walked 128 batters and struck out 113 batters.
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...
pitcher who played in the big leagues in 1971 and from 1973 to 1975 for the Washington Senators
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...
, St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
and Atlanta 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....
. Prior to playing professionally, he attended Ponca City High School
Ponca City High School
Ponca City High School is a public high school that serves 1,637 students in grades 9-12, located in Ponca City, Oklahoma. The current principal is Bo Hannaford.-References:...
in Ponca City, Oklahoma
Ponca City, Oklahoma
Ponca City is a small city in Kay and Osage counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma, which was named after the Ponca Tribe. Located in north central Oklahoma, it lies approximately south of the Kansas border, and approximately east of Interstate 35. 25,919 people called Ponca City home at the...
.
Thompson's professional career began in 1967, after he was drafted in the third round in that year's draft. He played for the Geneva Senators
Geneva Senators
The Geneva Senators were a minor league baseball team that existed from 1963 to 1968 and from 1970 to 1972. They were affiliated with the Washington Senators and Texas Rangers. Located in Geneva, New York, they played in the New York-Penn League and their home park was McDonough Park.-Year-by-year...
, going 2-5 with a 3.76 ERA in 10 games started. The following year, he played for the Salisbury Senators
Salisbury Senators
The Salisbury Senators were a minor league baseball team located in Salisbury, North Carolina. The team played in the South Atlantic League. Their home stadium was Newman Field....
, going 7-13 with a 4.27 ERA in 29 games (23 games started). In 1969, he improved drastically, going 9-5 with a 2.09 ERA in 18 games for the Burlington Senators. The 1970 season was split between the Denver Bears and Pittsfield Senators
Pittsfield Senators
The Pittsfield Senators were a minor league baseball team that played from 1970 to 1975 in the Washington Senators minor league system. In 1972 when the Senators moved to Texas and became the Texas Rangers, Pittsfield changed its name to the Pittsfield Rangers .They were located in Pittsfield,...
, going 0-2 with a 10.38 ERA for the former and 5-9 with a 5.32 ERA for the latter.
He would make his big league debut in 1971, on May 19 against the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore 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...
. Although he allowed only one hit earned run in seven innings, he also walked nine batters and struck out only one. He earned the loss in his big league debut. Overall, he would go 1-6 with a 4.86 ERA in 16 big league games (12 starts). He allowed more walks than hits, surrendering 54 walks to 53 hits in 66 2/3 innings. He struck out only 41 batters. Thompson also spent time with the Denver Bears in 1971, going 5-3 with a 4.20 ERA in 11 games (nine starts).
His 1972 season was spent with the Bears, and with them he went 6-8 with a 4.10 ERA in 20 games (18 starts). On March 31, 1973, he was sent to the Cardinals as the player to be named later in a deal that originally occurred on February 1 of that year. The trade involved the Rangers receiving Charlie Hudson
Charlie Hudson
Charles Hudson is a former left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1972 to 1975 for the St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers and California Angels. He was 6'3" tall and he weighed 185 pounds. He attended Tupelo High School in Tupelo, Oklahoma.Hudson was originally drafted by the...
and a player to be named later (who would end up being Mike Nagy) in return for a player to be named later (Thompson). Thompson spent most of 1973 in the minors, with the Tulsa Oilers
Tulsa Oilers (baseball)
The Tulsa Oilers, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, were a minor league baseball team that existed on-and-off in multiple leagues from 1905 to 1976. For most of their history, they played at Oiler Park, which opened on July 11, 1934, and was located on the Tulsa County Fairgrounds at 15th Street and...
. With them, he went 7-7 with a 2.82 ERA in 20 games. However, he did make two starts in the big leagues, going 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA in four innings of work.
In 1974, Thompson began the season with the Cardinals, going 0-3 with a 5.63 ERA with them. He was purchased by the Braves from the Cardinals on September 10, and he went 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA in one game with the Braves. Overall, he walked 37 batters in 42 1/3 innings, while striking out only 27 batters. He also made ten starts for the Oilers that year, going 5-4 with a 3.55 ERA.
For the Braves in 1975, he made 16 big league appearances, starting 10 of those games. He went 0-6 with a 4.70 ERA, and played his final big league game on September 5, 1975. On April 7, 1976, he was traded by the Braves to the 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....
for Terry Crowley
Terry Crowley
Terrence Michael Crowley is a former Major League Baseball player who now serves as the interim bullpen coach for the Baltimore Orioles.-Player career:...
. He played for the Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
in the Reds organization that year, going 5-7 with a 3.97 ERA in 21 games with them. On November 8, he was traded to the Texas Rangers for minor leaguer Art DeFilippis. Thompson retired after 1976, however.
In 54 big league appearances (29 starts), Thompson went 1-5 with a 4.86 ERA. In 164 2/3 innings, he allowed 158 hits, walked 128 batters and struck out 113 batters.