Will Thompson

Will McLain Thompson

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11½", Weight 190 lb.
• School University of Pennsylvania
• Debut July 9, 1892
• Final Game July 9, 1892
• Born August 30, 1870 in Pittsburgh, PA USA
• Died June 9, 1962 in Pittsburgh, PA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Will Thompson, the second major league player to come out of the University of Pennsylvania, pitched one game in the majors with the Pittsburgh Pirates at the age of 21. He gave up only 1 earned run, but suffered 4 unearned runs.

Later that season the St. Louis Browns gave another player from the University of Pennsylvania one game in the majors. Mark McGrillis had his one game at age 19.

Oddly enough, neither player had played baseball at the University of Pennsylvania prior to coming to the majors. McGrillis, in fact, went back to Penn and played on the college team afterwards, in 1893. Thompson attended the School of Dentistry after his major league days.

Thompson had played semi-pro and minor league ball before the Cubs offered him a contract. The Pirates doubled the offer, and he went with them instead. He later served in the Spanish American War and practiced as a dentist.

Related Sites

• Penn Baseball in the 1800's
• Biography of Will Thompson