Don Thompson

Donald Newlin Thompson

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 0", Weight 185 lb.

• Debut April 24, 1949
• Final Game June 22, 1954
• Born December 28, 1923 in Swepsonville, NC USA
• Died September 28, 2009 in Asheville, NC USA

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Biographical Information

Don Thompson played four years in the majors, appearing in the 1953 World Series.

He was the fourth outfielder for the 1951 Brooklyn Dodgers, and while he is listed as one of the three regular outfielders for the Dodgers in 1953, he was actually the fourth outfielder for the team. Jackie Robinson, who played 76 games in left field, split his time between there and second base, while Thompson, who had fewer games in left field, is listed as the regular there because he had more games overall in the outfield.

Thompson appeared as a defensive replacement in two games in the 1953 World Series. He got the final out in Game 4 by throwing out Billy Martin at home plate.

Thompson was primarily a pitcher from 1943-1945, going 9-7 for the Scranton Miners in 1944 and posting a 3.04 ERA for two teams in 1945. However, he hit well enough that he was converted to a position player. In his best minor league year as a batter, he hit .345 for the 1952 Montreal Royals. As a comparison, Jim Gilliam hit .301 that year and Don Hoak hit .293 for the Royals.

After baseball he worked in real estate.

Related Sites

• Don Thompson, 85, Former Brooklyn Dodger 1923-2009