Dickie Thon: Difference between revisions

Dickie Thon
Dickie Thon
	Shortstop
	Born: June 20, 1958 (age 66); South Bend, Indiana, U.S.
	Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
	May 22, 1979, for the California Angels
Last MLB appearance
	October 3, 1993, for the Milwaukee Brewers
MLB statistics
Batting average	.264
Home runs	71
Runs batted in	435
	Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams
	California Angels (1979–1980); Houston Astros (1981–1987); San Diego Padres (1988); Philadelphia Phillies (1989–1991); Texas Rangers (1992); Milwaukee Brewers (1993);
Career highlights and awards
	All-Star (1983); Silver Slugger Award (1983);

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Richard William Thon (born June 20, 1958) is a Puerto Rican-American former professional baseball shortstop who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the California Angels, Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, and Milwaukee Brewers, during the course of his 15-year big league career.

Early life

Thon was raised in Puerto Rico after spending only the first two weeks of his life in Indiana where his father had just completed a bachelor's degree at the University of Notre Dame.

Professional career

He was signed by the California Angels as an amateur free agent on November 23, 1975, while in high school in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico. During his 15-year career, Thon spent two seasons with the Angels (1979–1980), seven seasons with the Houston Astros (1981–1987), one season with the San Diego Padres (1988), three seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies (1989–1991), one season with the Texas Rangers (1992), and finished his career with the Milwaukee Brewers (1993). He led the National League in triples in 1982 and was selected to the 1983 All-Star Game.

Potential and beaning

By 1984, Thon was drawing excitement about his potential. "He's already the best shortstop in the league," said Craig Reynolds, whom Thon had replaced as the Astro shortstop. Al Rosen, Thon's general manager, said, "when I see Dickie Thon, I see a future Hall of Famer."^[1] His career was permanently altered on April 8, 1984, when he was hit in the face by Mike Torrez's fastball.^[2] Bill James thinks Thon might have been a Hall of Famer had the injury not occurred.^[3] The pitch broke the orbital bone around his left eye and ended his 1984 season. He returned in 1985, but had problems with depth perception that permanently hampered his potential.^[4] In 1991, Thon received the Tony Conigliaro Award in recognition of his recovery from this severe injury.

In 2013, Thon said, "I couldn't see the ball very well after I got hit in my left eye. I had to make adjustments, and open up a little bit and see the ball better. It's tough to do that in the big leagues, but I did manage to play 10 [more] years."^[5] He viewed the injury as just one bad moment in a life filled mostly with blessings: "I've had a lot of good things happen to me. I try to think about it that way."^[1]

Personal life

Thon is a third-generation baseball player. He is the grandson of Freddie Thon Sr., a native Puerto Rican who played and managed in the Puerto Rican Baseball League during World War II. His father Freddie Thon Jr., who signed a major-league contract but injured his arm before reporting to training, played semi-pro baseball while finishing college at Notre Dame, and coached all of his sons throughout their Little League and teenage years. Dickie's brother, Frankie Thon, is also affiliated with major league baseball in both the U.S. and Puerto Rico having been a player, a manager and a current major-league scout, as well as the general manager of the Criollos de Caguas in the Puerto Rican League.

Thon's son, Dickie Joe Thon, was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 5th round, 156th overall in the June 2010 baseball draft and played the 2016 season for the Dunedin Blue Jays.^[6] Thon joined the Astros coaching staff in 2021, and in 2022, the junior Thon was named manager for the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, the Low-A club for the Astros.^[7]

Thon was inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame on September 13, 2003.^[8]

As of 2013, Thon owned a Puerto Rican Winter League team in Santurce.^[5] He is a devout Catholic.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Iber, Jorge (2016). Mike Torrez: A Baseball Biography. Jefferson, NC: McFarland. pp. 197–98. ISBN 978-0-7864-9632-7.
^ "April 8, 1984: Dickie Thon Hit in Face by Pitch". The Pecan Park Eagle. January 22, 2014. Retrieved October 29, 2017.
^ The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract. Free Press. 2001. p. 627. ISBN 0-684-80697-5.
^ Pietrusza, David; Matthew Silverman; Gershman, Michael (2000). Baseball: The Biographical Encyclopedia. New York: Total Sports. pp. 1129–1130. ISBN 1-892129-34-5.
^ ^a ^b Thon reflects on injury after Stassi, Heyward are hit: Once-promising Astros shortstop suffered vision problems after fastball hit face, MLB, Brian McTaggart, Aug. 22, 2013.
^ "Baseball-Reference: Dickie Joe Thon". Retrieved September 8, 2016.
^ "Dickie Jon Thon winter, minor & independent leagues statistics & history". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
^ "Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum". Archived from the original on January 9, 2009. Retrieved 2008-07-21.

External links

Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
Prospectus Hit and RunI Saw 'em When, Part 2, article by Jay Jaffe

[Iber_197-1] Iber, Jorge (2016). Mike Torrez: A Baseball Biography. Jefferson, NC: McFarland. pp. 197–98. ISBN 978-0-7864-9632-7.

[2] "April 8, 1984: Dickie Thon Hit in Face by Pitch". The Pecan Park Eagle. January 22, 2014. Retrieved October 29, 2017.

[touted-3] The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract. Free Press. 2001. p. 627. ISBN 0-684-80697-5.

[Total_Sports-4] Pietrusza, David; Matthew Silverman; Gershman, Michael (2000). Baseball: The Biographical Encyclopedia. New York: Total Sports. pp. 1129–1130. ISBN 1-892129-34-5.

[Thon_reflects_on_injury,_MLB,_2013-5] Thon reflects on injury after Stassi, Heyward are hit: Once-promising Astros shortstop suffered vision problems after fastball hit face, MLB, Brian McTaggart, Aug. 22, 2013.

[Baseball_Reference-6] "Baseball-Reference: Dickie Joe Thon". Retrieved September 8, 2016.

[7] "Dickie Jon Thon winter, minor & independent leagues statistics & history". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 11, 2022.

[HHBM-8] "Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum". Archived from the original on January 9, 2009. Retrieved 2008-07-21.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{short description|Puerto Rican baseball player}}
+{{short description|Puerto Rican baseball player (born 1958)}}
 {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2011}}
 {{Infobox baseball biography
@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 |throws=Right
 |birth_date={{Birth date and age|1958|6|20}}
-|birth_place=[[South Bend, Indiana]]
+|birth_place=[[South Bend, Indiana]], U.S.
 |debutleague = MLB
 |debutdate=May 22
@@ Line 34: / Line 34: @@
 *[[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1983 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1983]])
 *[[Silver Slugger Award]] (1983)
-| hofcolor      = blue
-| hoflink       = Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame
-| hoftype       = Caribbean
-| hofdate       = 2008
 }}
 '''Richard William Thon''' (born June 20, 1958) is a Puerto Rican-American former [[professional baseball]] [[shortstop]] who played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) for the [[California Angels]], [[Houston Astros]], [[San Diego Padres]], [[Philadelphia Phillies]], [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]], and [[Milwaukee Brewers]], during the course of his 15-year big league career.
 == Early life ==
-Thon was raised in Puerto Rico after spending only the first two weeks of his life in Indiana where his father had just completed a bachelor's degree at the [[University of Notre Dame]].
+Thon was raised in [[Puerto Rico]] after spending only the first two weeks of his life in Indiana where his father had just completed a bachelor's degree at the [[University of Notre Dame]].
 == Professional career ==
-He was signed by the [[California Angels]] as an amateur free agent on November 23, 1975, while in high school in [[Río Piedras, Puerto Rico]]. During his 15-year career, Thon spent two seasons with the Angels (1979–1980), seven seasons with the [[Houston Astros]] (1981–1987), one season with the [[San Diego Padres]] (1988), three seasons with the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] (1989–1991), one season with the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] (1992), and finished his career with the [[Milwaukee Brewers]] (1993).
+He was signed by the [[California Angels]] as an amateur free agent on November 23, 1975, while in high school in [[Río Piedras, Puerto Rico]]. During his 15-year career, Thon spent two seasons with the Angels (1979–1980), seven seasons with the [[Houston Astros]] (1981–1987), one season with the [[San Diego Padres]] (1988), three seasons with the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] (1989–1991), one season with the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] (1992), and finished his career with the [[Milwaukee Brewers]] (1993). He led the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] in [[Triple (baseball)|triples]] in 1982 and was selected to the [[1983 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1983 All-Star Game]].
 == Potential and beaning ==
-By 1984, Thon was drawing excitement about his potential. "He's already the best shortstop in the league," said [[Craig Reynolds (baseball)|Craig Reynolds]], whom Thon had replaced as the Astro shortstop. [[Al Rosen]], Thon's general manager, said, "when I see Dickie Thon, I see a future Hall of Famer."<ref name="Iber 197">{{cite book|last=Iber|first=Jorge|pages=197–98|title=Mike Torrez: A Baseball Biography|publisher=McFarland|location=Jefferson, NC|year=2016|isbn=978-0-7864-9632-7}}</ref> His career was permanently altered on April 8, 1984, when he was hit in the face by [[Mike Torrez]]'s fastball.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://bill37mccurdy.com/2014/01/22/april-8-1984-dickie-thon-hit-in-face-by-pitch/ | title=April 8, 1984: Dickie Thon Hit in Face by Pitch | work=The Pecan Park Eagle | date=January 22, 2014 | access-date=October 29, 2017}}</ref> [[Bill James]] thinks Thon might have been a Hall of Famer had the injury not occurred.<ref name="touted">{{cite book |title=The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract |year=2001 |publisher=Free Press |isbn=0-684-80697-5 |page=[https://archive.org/details/newbilljameshist00jame/page/627 627] |url=https://archive.org/details/newbilljameshist00jame/page/627 }}</ref> The pitch broke the orbital bone around his left eye and ended his 1984 season. He returned in 1985, but suffered from problems with depth perception that permanently hampered his potential.<ref name="Total Sports">{{cite book |author1=Pietrusza, David |author2=Matthew Silverman |author3=Gershman, Michael |title=Baseball: The Biographical Encyclopedia |publisher=Total Sports |location=New York |year=2000 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/baseballbiograph00matt/page/1129 1129–1130] |isbn=1-892129-34-5 |url=https://archive.org/details/baseballbiograph00matt/page/1129 }}</ref> In 1991, Thon received the [[Tony Conigliaro Award]] in recognition of his recovery from this severe injury.
+By 1984, Thon was drawing excitement about his potential. "He's already the best shortstop in the league," said [[Craig Reynolds (baseball)|Craig Reynolds]], whom Thon had replaced as the Astro shortstop. [[Al Rosen]], Thon's general manager, said, "when I see Dickie Thon, I see a future Hall of Famer."<ref name="Iber 197">{{cite book|last=Iber|first=Jorge|pages=197–98|title=Mike Torrez: A Baseball Biography|publisher=McFarland|location=Jefferson, NC|year=2016|isbn=978-0-7864-9632-7}}</ref> His career was permanently altered on April 8, 1984, when he was hit in the face by [[Mike Torrez]]'s fastball.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://bill37mccurdy.com/2014/01/22/april-8-1984-dickie-thon-hit-in-face-by-pitch/ | title=April 8, 1984: Dickie Thon Hit in Face by Pitch | work=The Pecan Park Eagle | date=January 22, 2014 | access-date=October 29, 2017}}</ref> [[Bill James]] thinks Thon might have been a Hall of Famer had the injury not occurred.<ref name="touted">{{cite book |title=The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract |year=2001 |publisher=Free Press |isbn=0-684-80697-5 |page=[https://archive.org/details/newbilljameshist00jame/page/627 627] |url=https://archive.org/details/newbilljameshist00jame/page/627 }}</ref> The pitch broke the orbital bone around his left eye and ended his 1984 season. He returned in 1985, but had problems with depth perception that permanently hampered his potential.<ref name="Total Sports">{{cite book |author1=Pietrusza, David |author2=Matthew Silverman |author3=Gershman, Michael |title=Baseball: The Biographical Encyclopedia |publisher=Total Sports |location=New York |year=2000 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/baseballbiograph00matt/page/1129 1129–1130] |isbn=1-892129-34-5 |url=https://archive.org/details/baseballbiograph00matt/page/1129 }}</ref> In 1991, Thon received the [[Tony Conigliaro Award]] in recognition of his recovery from this severe injury.
 In 2013, Thon said, "I couldn't see the ball very well after I got hit in my left eye. I had to make adjustments, and open up a little bit and see the ball better. It's tough to do that in the big leagues, but I did manage to play 10 [more] years."<ref name="Thon reflects on injury, MLB, 2013">[https://www.mlb.com/news/dickie-thon-reflects-on-injury-after-max-stassi-jason-heyward-are-hit/c-57964160 Thon reflects on injury after Stassi, Heyward are hit: Once-promising Astros shortstop suffered vision problems after fastball hit face], MLB, Brian McTaggart, Aug. 22, 2013.</ref> He viewed the injury as just one bad moment in a life filled mostly with blessings: "I've had a lot of good things happen to me. I try to think about it that way."<ref name="Iber 197"/>
 == Personal life ==
-Thon is a third-generation baseball player. He is the grandson of Freddie Thon Sr., a native Puerto Rican who played and managed in the Puerto Rican Baseball League during World War II. His father Freddie Thon Jr., who signed a major-league contract but injured his arm before reporting to training, played semi-pro baseball while finishing college at Notre Dame, and coached all of his sons throughout their Little League and teenage years. Dickie's brother Frankie Thon is also affiliated with major league baseball in both the U.S. and Puerto Rico having been a player, a manager and a current major-league scout, as well as the general manager of the [[Criollos de Caguas (baseball)|Criollos de Caguas]] in the Puerto Rican League.
+Thon is a third-generation baseball player. He is the grandson of Freddie Thon Sr., a native Puerto Rican who played and managed in the Puerto Rican Baseball League during World War II. His father Freddie Thon Jr., who signed a major-league contract but injured his arm before reporting to training, played semi-pro baseball while finishing college at Notre Dame, and coached all of his sons throughout their Little League and teenage years. Dickie's brother, [[Frankie Thon]], is also affiliated with major league baseball in both the U.S. and Puerto Rico having been a player, a manager and a current major-league scout, as well as the general manager of the [[Criollos de Caguas (baseball)|Criollos de Caguas]] in the Puerto Rican League.
-Thon's son, Dickie Joe Thon, was selected by the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] in the 5th round, 156th overall in the June 2010 baseball draft and played the 2016 season for the [[Dunedin Blue Jays]].<ref name="Baseball Reference">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=thon--002ric |title=Baseball-Reference: Dickie Joe Thon |access-date=2016-09-08}}</ref>
+Thon's son, Dickie Joe Thon, was selected by the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] in the 5th round, 156th overall in the June 2010 baseball draft and played the 2016 season for the [[Dunedin Blue Jays]].<ref name="Baseball Reference">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=thon--002ric |title=Baseball-Reference: Dickie Joe Thon |access-date=2016-09-08}}</ref>  Thon joined the Astros coaching staff in 2021, and in 2022, the junior Thon was named manager for the [[Fayetteville Woodpeckers]], the Low-A club for the Astros.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=thon--002ric |title=Dickie Jon Thon winter, minor & independent leagues statistics & history |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=July 11, 2022}}</ref>
-Thon was inducted into the [[Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum]] Hall of Fame on September 13, 2003.<ref name="HHBM">{{cite web |url=http://www.hispanicbaseballmuseum.com/fme_thon.html |title=Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum |access-date=2008-07-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109111843/http://www.hispanicbaseballmuseum.com/fme_thon.html |archive-date=January 9, 2009 |df=mdy }}</ref>
+Thon was inducted into the [[Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame]] on September 13, 2003.<ref name="HHBM">{{cite web |url=http://www.hispanicbaseballmuseum.com/fme_thon.html |title=Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum |access-date=2008-07-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109111843/http://www.hispanicbaseballmuseum.com/fme_thon.html |archive-date=January 9, 2009 |df=mdy }}</ref>
 As of 2013, Thon owned a Puerto Rican Winter League team in Santurce.<ref name="Thon reflects on injury, MLB, 2013"/> He is a devout Catholic.<ref name="Iber 197"/>
 ==See also==
+{{Portal|Puerto Rico|Baseball|Biography}}
-* [[List of Major League Baseball players from Puerto Rico]]
+{{div col}}
-* [[List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders]]
+* [[Houston Astros award winners and league leaders]]
 * [[List of Major League Baseball annual triples leaders]]
-* [[List of second-generation Major League Baseball players#Third-generation families]]
+* [[List of Major League Baseball players from Puerto Rico]]
 * [[List of Puerto Ricans]]
+* [[List of second-generation Major League Baseball players#Third-generation families]]
+{{div col end}}
+{{clear}}
 ==References==
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 {{DEFAULTSORT:Thon, Dickie}}
 [[Category:1958 births]]
-[[Category:Baseball players from Indiana]]
+[[Category:Baseball players from South Bend, Indiana]]
 [[Category:California Angels players]]
 [[Category:Houston Astros players]]
@@ Line 88: / Line 88: @@
 [[Category:Milwaukee Brewers players]]
 [[Category:National League All-Stars]]
-[[Category:Sportspeople from South Bend, Indiana]]
 [[Category:Philadelphia Phillies players]]
 [[Category:Puerto Rican baseball players]]
@@ Line 98: / Line 97: @@
 [[Category:Tucson Toros players]]
 [[Category:Silver Slugger Award winners]]
-[[Category:Sportspeople with a vision impairment]]
+[[Category:Sportspeople with visual impairment]]
+[[Category:Puerto Rican Roman Catholics]]
+[[Category:Catholics from Indiana]]
+[[Category:Puerto Rican disabled sportspeople]]
+[[Category:American disabled sportspeople]]