Jason Thompson (thompja01)

Jason Dolph Thompson
(Roof-Top)

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 3", Weight 210 lb.
• School California State University, Northridge
• High School Apple Valley (CA) High School
• Debut April 23, 1976
• Final Game June 23, 1986
• Born July 6, 1954 in Hollywood, CA USA

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Biographical Information

A big, plodding left-handed hitter with power, Jason "Roof-Top" Thompson" hit 31 homers for the Detroit Tigers in 1977 and later hit 31 homers in the other league for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1982.

Thompson was born in 1954 in Hollywood, CA, in the same year and the same place as Craig Cacek. Thompson went to California State University, Northridge from 1973 to 1975, and was there at the same time as Gil Kubski. After being drafted in the fourth round in the 1975 amateur draft by the Tigers, he was a regular for most of 1976, showing some power and drawing walks well although he hit only .218.

After four years with Detroit and part of a fifth, he was traded to the California Angels in 1980, for whom he hit .317 and slugged .526 for the remainder of the season. He was traded to the Pirates just prior to the start of the 1981 season and spent five years with them. He finished his career with the Montreal Expos in 1986.

Lacking speed, Thompson played first base exclusively. He was also used some as DH by the Angels in 1980.

Thompson was named to three All-Star teams. While he was never in the top ten in the MVP voting, he was in the top ten in homers three times and twice was second in the league in walks. Twice, Thompson hit the ball over the far, distant right field roof at Tiger Stadium, which earned him his nickname "Roof-Top".

The similarity scores method lists the most similar player as Joe Pepitone, although Thompson has a much higher Adjusted OPS+.

Notable Achievements

• 1976 Topps All-Star Rookie Team
• 3-time All-Star (1977, 1978 & 1982)
• 20-Home Run Seasons: 5 (1977-1980 & 1982)
• 30-Home Run Seasons: 2 (1977 & 1982)
• 100 RBI Seasons: 2 (1977 & 1982)