Wikipedia

John Thomson (baseball)

John Carl Thomson(born October 1, 1973) is an American formerstarting pitcherwho last played for theKansas City RoyalsofMajor League Baseball.He is a 1991 graduate ofSulphur High SchoolinSulphur,Louisiana.He went undrafted out of high school and pitched forMcNeese State University(Lake Charles,Louisiana) in 1992 andBlinn Junior College(Brenham,Texas) in 1993. TheColorado Rockiesselected him in the seventh round of the June1993amateur draftand he made his major league debut for the Rockies on May 11, 1997.[1] 2007is his eleventh major league season. In addition to the Rockies, he has played for theNew York Mets,Texas Rangers,Atlanta BravesandKansas City Royalsand also pitched in theToronto Blue Jaysorganization from April through June 2007. He currently resides in his hometown ofSulphur, LA.

John Thomson
Thomson with the Kansas City Royals
Pitcher
Born:(1973-10-01)October 1, 1973(age 51)
Vicksburg, Mississippi,U.S.
Batted:Right
Threw:Right
MLB debut
May 11, 1997, for the Colorado Rockies
Last MLB appearance
July 1, 2007, for the Kansas City Royals
MLB statistics
Win–loss record63–85
Earned run average4.68
Strikeouts800
Teams

Colorado Rockies

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Thomson pitched in the Rockiesminor leaguesystem for the Arizona Rockies of the Arizona Rookie League in1993,theAsheville Touristsof the low single-ASouth Atlantic League(1994), theCentral Valley Rockiesof the advanced single-ACalifornia League(1994), theNew Haven Ravensof the double-AEastern League(1995–1996) and theColorado Springs Sky Soxof the triple-APacific Coast League(1996–1997).[2]

In his major league debut May 11, 1997, Thomson gave up three runs (only oneearned) on five hits in 72⁄3innings with 7 strikeouts and 4walksin a 3–1 loss to thePhiladelphia Phillies.He earned his first major leaguewinin acomplete gameagainst theFlorida MarlinsJune 1. He remained in the Rockies starting rotation for the rest of 1997, posting seven wins and ninelosseswith a 4.71ERAand 106strikeoutsin 1661⁄3innings pitched.

Thomson made 26 starts for the Rockies in1998and led their starting pitchers with a 4.81 ERA. He missed a month of the season with a blister on his right middle finger that would become a recurring problem for him over the ensuing years.

The1999season was a poor one for Thomson. After six appearances (five starts), he was 0–5 with an 11.84 ERA and the Rockies sent him down to triple-A Colorado Springs where he didn't fare much better (0-2, 9.45 ERA in five starts). He returned to the Rockies August 14 and was credited with his first win since September 8, 1998, but failed to win another game the rest of the season. He finished 1999 at 1–10 with an 8.04 ERA. After the season, it was discovered that Thomson had a tornlabrum(another injury that would recur later in his career). He had shoulder surgery October 12 and a second surgery the following day to repair his blister-prone right middle finger.[1]With the exception of four rehabilitation appearances with the Rockies' Arizona Rookie League team and thePortland Rockiesof the short-season, single-ANorthwest Leaguein August and September, he missed the entire2000season.

Thomson began2001on thedisabled list(DL) as he continued rehabilitation of his surgically repaired shoulder. After five rehabilitation starts at Colorado Springs, he was activated May 12 and made three starts for Colorado before returning to the DL just two weeks later on May 26. This time, he made seven rehabilitation starts for the Sky Sox and returned to the Rockies August 2. He got his first win in more than two years August 19 against Florida. Over his final eight starts, he was 4–0 with a 3.36 ERA and for the season, he was 4–5 with a 4.05 ERA. On the final day of the season, he gave upRickey Henderson's 3000th hit.[3]

2002would be Thomson's final season with the Rockies and he returned to his pre-injury form. In his first 11 starts for Colorado, he was 6–3 with a 3.86 ERA. With the Rockies unlikely to compete for aNational Leagueplayoff spot and Thomson afree agentat the end of the season, he became a target of trade talks as the July 31non-waiver deadlineapproached. After his final start for Colorado July 23, he was 7–8 with a 4.88 ERA in 21 starts.

New York Mets

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On July 31, 2002, the Rockies and Mets made atrade deadlinedeal that sent Thomson andoutfielderMark Littleto New York for outfielderJay Payton,relief pitcherMark Coreyandminor leagueoutfielder Robert Stratton.[4] He made nine starts for the Mets, going 2–6 with a 4.31 ERA. For the season, he was 9–14 with a 4.71 ERA in 30 starts.

Texas Rangers

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Thomson was grantedfree agencyafter the 2002 season and signed with theTexas RangersJanuary 3, 2003.[5] He was 13–14 with the Rangers in 2003 with a 4.85 ERA in 35startsand 217 innings pitched, leading the team in most statistical categories.

Atlanta Braves

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Thomson was again granted free agency in October 2003 and signed a two-year contract (including a club option for a third year) with theAtlanta BravesDecember 9.[6] He had his best season as a major leaguer in2004,posting a career-high 14winsagainst only eightlossesand a career-best 3.72 ERA. He carried this success over into2005,going 3–2 with a 3.42 ERA over his first eight starts before a finger injury landed him on theDLMay 17.[7] He returned to the Braves August 13, but was unable to consistently regain his early season form and finished 2005 with a 4–6 record and a 4.47 ERA.

In spite of Thomson's injury troubles in 2005, the Braves exercised their option to bring him back for a third season in2006.[8] He struggled to a 2–6 record and a 4.68 ERA over his first 13 starts and went on the DL with a finger blister following his June 14 start against theFlorida Marlins.[9] He returned for two ineffective starts in July and was placed back on the DL—for the seventh time in his career—July 14 with shoulder stiffness.[10] AnMRIeventually revealed some fraying of his labrum[11] and he made only one more appearance for the Braves, pitching an inning of relief September 27.

Toronto Blue Jays

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Thomson pitching for theBlue Jaysin2007spring training.

On January 9, 2007, Thomson signed a one-year contract with theToronto Blue Jaysfor a base pay of $500,000 plus up to $4,000,000 in bonuses based on the number of starts he made.[12] The team placed him on thedisabled listat the end ofspring trainingwith a recurrence of his shoulder injury[13] and released him June 20 before he ever made an appearance with the major league club.[14]

Kansas City Royals

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Thomson was signed byKansas Cityon June 22, 2007, and replaced the injuredScott Elartonin the Royals' starting rotation.[15] He filed for free agency on November 1, 2007.

Major league and minor league statistics

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W L ERA G GS IP H R ER HR BB SO WHIP
Major Leagues 62 84 4.69 214 210 1,259⅔ 1,385 729 657 154 366 797 1.39
Minor Leagues 43 42 3.90 129 122 655⅔ 633 335 284 38 235 540 1.32

Amateur Golf Career

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On August 29, 2015, Thomson was declared champion of the 35th Annual AI Hesch golf tournament, played at the Wellshire Golf Course in Denver. Colorado.

References

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  1. ^ab 2007 Toronto Blue Jays Media Guide(PDF).Toronto Blue Jays. March 2007. pp.pgs. 153–156.ISBN978-1-894801-08-9.RetrievedJune 23,2007.
  2. ^ "John Thomson Baseball Statistics".The Baseball Cube. Archived fromthe originalon September 2, 2007.RetrievedJune 23,2007.
  3. ^"BASEBALL; Henderson: It's an Even 3,000 Hits - The New York Times".The New York Times.October 8, 2001.
  4. ^ Czerwinski, Kevin (July 31, 2002)."Mets bolster staff with two deals".MLB.RetrievedJune 23,2007.
  5. ^ Sanchez, Jesse (January 3, 2003)."Thomson signs on with Rangers".MLB.RetrievedJune 23,2007.
  6. ^ Bowman, Mark (December 9, 2003)."Thomson agrees to two-year deal".MLB.RetrievedJune 23,2007.
  7. ^ Bodi, Paul (May 19, 2005)."Thomson expected to miss 2–3 months".MLB.RetrievedJune 23,2007.
  8. ^ Bowman, Mark (November 1, 2005)."Braves pick up option on Thomson".MLB.RetrievedJune 23,2007.
  9. ^ "Blister lands Thomson on DL; Braves recall Cormier".ESPN /The Associated Press.June 16, 2006.RetrievedJune 23,2007.
  10. ^ Bowman, Mark (July 14, 2006)."Notes: Thomson suffers setback".MLB.RetrievedJune 23,2007.
  11. ^ Bowman, Mark (August 1, 2006)."Notes: Andruw shrugs off the rumors".MLB.RetrievedJune 23,2007.
  12. ^ "Blue Jays agree to deals with Thomson, Frasor".ESPN /The Associated Press. January 9, 2007.RetrievedJune 23,2007.
  13. ^ Bastian, Jordan (March 29, 2007)."Notes: Zambrano holds fate in right hand".MLB.Archived fromthe originalon January 29, 2009.RetrievedJune 23,2007.
  14. ^ Bastian, Jordan (June 20, 2007)."Notes: Offseason trio down to one".MLB.RetrievedJune 23,2007.
  15. ^ Kaegel, Dick (June 22, 2007)."Notes: Royals sign righty Thomson".MLB.Archived fromthe originalon May 18, 2011.RetrievedJune 23,2007.
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