Carl Thompson (minors)

Carl Thompson, circa 1943

Carl William Thompson Sr.

• Born May 12, 1921 in Port Blakely, WA USA
• Died June 15, 2006 in Stockton, CA USA

Biographical Information

Carl Thompson was born in Washington state and moved with his family to Stockton, California at the age of six. Always an avid baseball player and fan, he was the winning pitcher for the championship Karl Ross Post American Legion Baseball team in July 1935. The Stockton Record said of the game: "They sent a fourteen year old boy to do a man's job…and he was there a million percent". He married Noreen Stewart of Stockton in 1943 and had two sons, one in 1944 and the other in 1954. During World War II, Thompson served in the US Army. He earned the rank of Sergeant and served under General Douglas MacArthur in the Pacific Theater of Operations - Luzon, Philippines where he was awarded a bronze star for meritorious achievement.

After returning home in 1946, he for many years coached and sponsored local American Legion teams, including the 1958 championship team. He turned his attention to coaching his second son (named after former Modesto Reds manager Rupert L. "Tommy" Thompson) for many years in Little League, Babe Ruth and in Class A professional teams.

Carl and his wife owned the Stockton Ports 1971-1972, as well as owning and managing the Tri-City Ports (1974), Grays Harbor Ports (1976), and Salem Senators (1977-1978) of the Northwest League. He was also co-owner and operator of a linoleum and carpet business in Stockton for more than thirty-five years.

Related Sites

• Photo of Carl Thompson, 1974 Tri-Cities Ports