Tim Thompson
Tim Thompson | ||
---|---|---|
Runs batted in | 47 | |
Teams | ||
Charles Lemoine Thompson (March 1, 1924 – October 25, 2021) was an American
Early life
Thompson was born in Coalport, Pennsylvania, the son of Maurice Frederick "Tommy" Thompson, a coal miner. He enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II, where he flew lighter-than-air K-class blimps built by Goodyear to patrol the Pacific coast for submarines and mines. Thompson was based out of Moffett Federal Airfield in the Silicon Valley.[1][2] In 1945, he took a job on the third-shift manufacturing line at the America Viscose Company factory so he could play baseball during the day.[3]
Professional baseball career
Thompson batted
In 1956, Thompson was the Athletics' most-used starting catcher, starting in 63 games; he set personal bests that year in games played (92),
After his active career, Thompson was a coach for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1981 and scouted for the Cardinals, Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles.
Personal life
Thompson was married to wife Lois right out of high school; as of 2020, they had been married 77 years.[1] Their son Timmy Jr., who was born in 1945, played college and professional baseball; he died of cancer at age 63.[3] Thompson died in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, on October 25, 2021, at the age of 97.[6][7] His wife Lois died two days later.[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b Keene, Anne (April 2, 2020). "Tim Thompson, 96, The Catcher Who Flew Blimps". anne-keene.
- ^ Nowlin, Bill. "Tim Thompson". sabr.org. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ a b Keene, Anne R. (May 23, 2020). "From blimps to baseball". Lewiston Sentinel. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ "Brooklyn Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. April 20, 1954. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ "St. Louis Cardinals at Brooklyn Dodgers Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. May 14, 1954. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ "Charles L. 'Tim' Thompson Sr. obituary". Lewistown Sentinel. October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ Elliott, Bob (October 27, 2021). "R.I.P. Tim Thompson, ex-Toronto Maple Leaf". Canadian Baseball Network. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Venezuelan Professional Baseball League statistics