Erskine Thomason
Erskine Thomason | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: Laurens, South Carolina | August 13, 1948|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
September 18, 1974, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
Last MLB appearance | |
September 18, 1974, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 0–0 |
Earned run average | 0.00 |
Strikeouts | 1 |
Teams | |
Melvin Erskine Thomason (born August 13, 1948) is an American former professional baseball pitcher, whose baseball career spanned seven seasons, one September of which was spent with the Major League Baseball (MLB) Philadelphia Phillies. Thomason played in one MLB game, pitching an inning for the Phillies, on September 18, 1974. He struck out one batter while also recording two groundouts. During his playing days, Thomason stood 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm), weighing 190 pounds (86 kg).[1]
Born and raised in South Carolina, Thomason first played professionally with the
Early life
Melvin Erskine Thomason was born on August 13, 1948, in Laurens, South Carolina.[3] His mother, Dorothy Cain Thomason, died in child birth, while his father, Furman Erskine Thomason, worked as a farmer.[4] In 1966, Thomason graduated from Laurens High School, where he played football and basketball in addition to baseball.[4] He attended college at Anderson College from 1968 until 1969, and attended Erskine College from 1969 until 1970, graduating with a bachelor's degree in physical education.[4]
Professional career
Thomason was drafted by the Phillies in the 22nd round (516th overall) of the
Thomason made his Major League debut on September 18, 1974, for the Philadelphia Phillies, in a game against the Chicago Cubs.[1] He pitched in relief of Gene Garber in the top of the ninth inning, recording one strikeout against three batters faced, in a 5–2 Phillies loss.[5]
Thomason was one of the players featured in the 1975 documentary Bush Leagues to Bright Lights. It chronicles his attempt to make the Phillies out of spring training, his demotion to the minor leagues, his subsequent struggles in Triple A, his tutoring by manager Jim Bunning, his marriage to his girlfriend, and ultimately his promotion to the major leagues. The film was narrated by John Facenda.
After retiring from playing baseball, Thomason served as the pitching coach for the Spartanburg Phillies (1980–1981). He currently lives in Laurens, South Carolina.
See also
References
- ^ a b "Erskine Thomason Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
- ^ a b "Erskine Thomason Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
- ISBN 1-4027-3625-8.
- ^ a b c Andy Sturgill. "Erskine Thomason". SABR.org. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
- ^ "Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia Phillies Box Score, September 18, 1974". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Erskine Thomason at SABR (Baseball BioProject)