Claude Thomas

Claude Alfred Thomas
(Lefty)

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 1", Weight 180 lb.
• Debut September 14, 1916
• Final Game October 2, 1916
• Born May 15, 1890 in Stanberry, MO USA
• Died March 6, 1946 in Sulphur, OK USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Left-hander Claude Thomas made just seven appearances for the American League Washington Senators in 1916. Thomas made his big league debut on September 14th. In the following 17 days he won a game and lost two, pitched 28 innings and had a 4.13 ERA. Claude's time in the majors ended with his final game on October 2nd.

Thomas spent 18 seasons in professional baseball (1909-1926) and it took him eight seasons (1909-1916) to get his chance in the majors. In his climb to the show, Claude had five double-digit win seasons, with his best coming in 1915 when he went 22-13 with a 2.09 ERA and pitched 292 innings. He was 15-15 the year he was given his shot with the Senators.

After his try in the big leagues Claude was with the Minneapolis Millers of the American Association in 1917. He won 20 and lost 24 with a 2.70 ERA, appearing in an unbelievable 62 games (40% of his team's schedule) while pitching 374 innings for the sixth-place Millers, who finished up at 68-86, 22.5 games back.

Claude served with the United States Army in 1918, during World War I, returning in 1919 and resumed his long minor league tour. He spent the next six seasons (1919-1924) in the Pacific Coast League where he won 80 of his career 231 victories. Claude finished up his 18-year run, spending his last two seasons (1925-1926) with the Des Moines Demons of the Western League, going 31-17 in the two-year stay. Thomas retired from the game after the 1926 year at the age of 36 with a career 231-223 record while appearing in 660 outings.

After baseball Claude served as an under-sheriff of Canadian County, Oklahoma and was an officer at the El Reno, OK reformatory before serving with the local draft board during World War II.

Claude Alfred Thomas died at the age of 55 on March 6, 1946 at the Veterans Hospital in Sulphur, OK.

Related Sites

• Claude Thomas at the SABR Bio Project
• BR Minors page