Gene Thompson

Eugene Earl Thompson

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 185 lb.

• Debut April 26, 1939
• Final Game July 4, 1947
• Born June 7, 1917 in Latham, IL USA
• Died August 24, 2006 in Scottsdale, AZ USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Pitcher Gene "Junior" Thompson came to the big leagues at a perfect moment, debuting with a team that would win the pennant in 1939 and then the World Series in 1940.

Thompson made his big league debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 1939, going 13-5. He had his finest season the following year, going 16-9 with a 3.32 ERA as a part of the Reds rotation. He started and lost Game 3 of the 1939 World Series against the New York Yankees, and also lost his only start in Game 5 of the 1940 Series, when his opponent, Bobo Newsom of the Detroit Tigers, pitched a shutout.

Thompson was voluntarily retired in 1943 and served in the Navy in 1944-1945 during World War II. After the war, he played two seasons as a member of the New York Giants bullpen. His 1.29 ERA in 1946 was far below the league ERA.

He later was a longtime scout with the San Francisco Giants, Cleveland Indians, Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres. He signed Mike Benjamin and Randy McCament.

Thompson's main teammates included Bucky Walters (1325), Frank McCormick (997), Lonny Frey (973), Billy Werber (931) Paul Derringer (929), Ival Goodman (736) and Ernie Lombardi (715).

Notable Achievements

• 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (1940)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1940)
• Won a World Series with the Cincinnati Reds in 1940

Related Sites

• Junior Thompson at the SABR Bio Project