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{{short description|American baseball player (born 1959)}}
{{Infobox MLB player
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Milt Thompson
|name=Milt Thompson
|image=Philadelphia Phillies White House visit (cropped).jpg
|image=Milt1.jpg
|caption=Thompson during batting practice with the Phillies
|caption=Thompson at the [[White House]] in 2009
|position=[[Outfielder]]
|position=[[Outfielder]]
|bats=Left
|bats=Left
|throws=Right
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1959|1|5}}
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1959|1|5}}
|birth_place=[[Washington, D.C.]]
|birth_place=[[Washington, D.C.]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=September 4
|debutdate=September 4
|debutyear=1984
|debutyear=1984
|debutteam=Atlanta Braves
|debutteam=Atlanta Braves
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=July 28
|finaldate=July 28
|finalyear=1996
|finalyear=1996
|finalteam=Colorado Rockies
|finalteam=Colorado Rockies
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average]]
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.274
|stat1value=.274
|stat2label=[[Home run]]s
|stat2label=[[Home run]]s
Line 21: Line 26:
|stat3value=357
|stat3value=357
|teams=
|teams=
;As player
* [[Atlanta Braves]] ({{By|1984}}–{{By|1985}})
* [[Philadelphia Phillies]] ({{By|1986}}–{{By|1988}})
* [[Atlanta Braves]] ({{mlby|1984}}–{{mlby|1985}})
* [[St. Louis Cardinals]] ({{By|1989}}–{{By|1992}})
* [[Philadelphia Phillies]] ({{mlby|1986}}–{{mlby|1988}})
* [[Philadelphia Phillies]] ({{By|1993}}–{{By|1994}})
* [[St. Louis Cardinals]] ({{mlby|1989}}–{{mlby|1992}})
* [[Houston Astros]] ({{By|1994}}–{{By|1995}})
* [[Philadelphia Phillies]] ({{mlby|1993}}–{{mlby|1994}})
* [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] ({{By|1996}})
* [[Houston Astros]] ({{mlby|1994}}–{{mlby|1995}})
* [[Colorado Rockies]] ({{By|1996}})
* [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] ({{mlby|1996}})
* [[Colorado Rockies]] ({{mlby|1996}})
;As coach
* [[Philadelphia Phillies]] ({{mlby|2004}}–{{mlby|2010}})
|highlights=
|highlights=
* [[World Series]] champion ({{wsy|2008}})
* [[World Series]] champion ({{wsy|2008}})
}}
}}

'''Milton Bernard "Milt" Thompson''' (born January 5, 1959 in [[Washington, D.C.]]) is a former [[Major League Baseball]] [[left fielder]] and [[pinch hitter]] who is currently a coach in the [[Houston Astros]] Minor League system. Thompson played with several teams (including the Phillies and the [[Atlanta Braves]]), and hit a career average of .274.
'''Milton Bernard Thompson''' (born January 5, 1959), is an American former [[professional baseball]] [[outfielder]], [[pinch hitter]], and [[Coach (baseball)#Offensive coaches: hitting coach and base coaches|coach]], who played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) for the [[Atlanta Braves]], [[Philadelphia Phillies]], [[St. Louis Cardinals]], [[Houston Astros]], [[Los Angeles Dodgers]], and [[Colorado Rockies]]. He returned as the [[Cincinnati Reds]]’ minor league hitting instructor, for the {{by|2019}} season.<ref name="redsthompsoncoachmin">{{cite web|url=https://redsminorleagues.com/2019/01/10/reds-announce-2019-coordinators-and-instructors|title=Reds announce 2019 coordinators and instructors|last=Gray|first=Doug|date=January 10, 2019|publisher=RedsMinorLeagues.com|work=www.redsminorleagues.com|access-date=May 6, 2019}}</ref> Over his MLB career, Thompson compiled a [[Batting average (baseball)|batting average]] of .274.<ref name="bbrefthompsonmaj">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/t/thompmi02.shtml|title=Milt Thompson Stats|date=2019|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=May 6, 2019}}</ref>


==Major league career==
==Major league career==
The Braves began Thompson's career by drafting him in the 2nd round of the [[1979 Major League Baseball Draft|1979 draft]], and starting him five years later in 1984.<ref>[http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/T/Thompson_Milt.stm] Baseball Library - Thompson, Milt</ref> After playing in left field, Atlanta traded Thompson with [[Steve Bedrosian]] to the Phillies for [[Ozzie Virgil, Jr.|Ozzie Virgil]], among others. Thompson impressed Philadelphia, batting .251 to .303 during his three-year stint there.
The Atlanta Braves drafted Thompson in the 2nd round (29th overall) of the [[1979 Major League Baseball draft|1979 draft]], out of [[Howard University]]. He made his big league debut, five years later, in {{by|1984}}.<ref>[https://baseballbiography.com/milt-thompson Thompson, Milt] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614074826/http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/T/Thompson_Milt.stm|date=June 14, 2006}} ''Baseball Library''</ref> After two years in Atlanta, as a part-time [[left fielder]], the Braves traded Thompson, along with [[Steve Bedrosian]], to the Phillies, for [[Ozzie Virgil, Jr.|Ozzie Virgil]] and [[Pete Smith (baseball, born 1966)|Pete Smith]]. Thompson continued to impress, [[Batting average (baseball)|batting]] .251, .302, and .288, respectively, in his three seasons in Philadelphia.

On December 16, 1988, Thompson was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, for [[Steve Lake]] and [[Curt Ford]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/1988-12-17/sports/26228365_1_phils-milt-thompson-trade|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402110946/http://articles.philly.com/1988-12-17/sports/26228365_1_phils-milt-thompson-trade|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 2, 2015|title=Phils Trade Thompson For 2 Cards|work=philly-archives|access-date=March 26, 2015}}</ref> where he spent four years and posted his highest batting average ever, .307, in {{by|1991}}. Following the {{by|1992}} season, Thompson was granted [[free agent|free agency]] and elected to return to the Phillies.

As a key component in the Phillies’ unexpected, last-to-first [[1993 National League Championship Series|1993 National League Championship]] team, Thompson [[Platoon (baseball)|platooned]] in left field with [[Pete Incaviglia]], in the [[1993 World Series|World Series]], against the [[Toronto Blue Jays]]. He remained an ever-popular fan favorite, while having another stellar season.

Perhaps Thompson's greatest MLB performance came on April 29, 1993. That day, the Phillies left fielder really "brought his 'A' Game" to the [[San Diego Padres]]’ [[Jack Murphy Stadium]]. He had already gone 3-for-4 at the plate (3 [[Single (baseball)|singles]]), with 2 [[runs batted in]] (RBI), and one run scored. Then, crowning his day — and quite possibly his big league career: With the game on the line and the Phillies ahead 5-3, in the bottom of the eighth inning and two out, the Padres had the bases loaded, bringing their slugging right-handed [[catcher]], [[Bob Geren]], to the plate. [[David West (baseball)|David West]], the Phillies’ left-handed [[relief pitcher]], delivered a choice fastball that took a long ride, sailing over {{convert|370|ft|m}} from [[home plate]], and above the wall in left-center field. The fleet-footed Thompson arrived just in time, planted his feet, and made a surreal leap – seemingly sensing in some sort of inexact prayer, where the ball was – and cradled it into his glove's web, retiring the side and preserving another Phillies win, in that magical [[1993 Philadelphia Phillies season|1993 season]], [[high five|high-fiving]] [[center fielder]] [[Lenny Dykstra]] all the way to the visiting [[Dugout (baseball)|dugout]].<ref name="retrogamethompson">{{cite web|url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1993/B04290SDN1993.htm|title=Philadelphia Phillies 5, San Diego Padres 3 Box Score|date=April 29, 1993|publisher=[[Retrosheet]]|work=retrosheet.org|access-date=May 6, 2019}}</ref>


On December 16, 1988, Thompson was traded to the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] for [[Steve Lake]] and [[Curt Ford]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/1988-12-17/sports/26228365_1_phils-milt-thompson-trade|title=Phils Trade Thompson For 2 Cards|work=philly-archives|accessdate=March 26, 2015}}</ref> where he spent four years and batted his for highest average ever, .307. In 1992, Thompson was granted [[free agent|free agency]]. As a free agent, he signed once again with the Phillies, playing on their [[1993 National League Championship Series|1993 National League Champion]] team and playing left field through the [[World Series]] against the [[Toronto Blue Jays]]. During the ensuing offseason, Thompson was traded to the [[Houston Astros]] for pitcher [[Tom Edens]]. Once again, in 1994, Thompson was granted free agency after being with Houston for only seven months. He resigned with Houston as a free agent, which extended his career there to two years. After that, Thompson was back in free agency, and signed with the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]], which led to him being selected off waivers for the [[Colorado Rockies]] in July, 1996. His career with the Rockies only lasted three months: Thompson was released on August 2 of the same year, ending his career.<ref>[http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/thompmi02.shtml] Baseball Reference, Milt Thompson</ref>
On July 31, 1994, Thompson was traded by Philadelphia, to the Houston Astros, for [[pitcher]] [[Tom Edens]]. Again, following the {{by|1994}} season, Thompson was granted free agency, after being with the Astros for only a short time. As a free agent, he elected to re-sign with Houston, for another year. After the {{by|1995}} season, Thompson was again a free agent, and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers; on June 27, 1996, he was selected off waivers by the Colorado Rockies. His career with the Rockies lasted just over 5 weeks, as Thompson received his unconditional release on August 2, 1996, thus ending his big league playing career.<ref name="bbrefthompsonmaj"/>


==Coaching==
==Coaching==
In 1997, Thompson became the minor league outfield/[[Base running|base-running]] coordinator in the [[Tampa Bay Devil Rays]] organization. In 1998, he joined the Phillies as a minor league coach. Thompson lasted there for two seasons, until taking 2000 off, then returned as a minor league base-running/outfield coordinator, again in the Phillies farm system.
⚫
In 1997, Milt became the minor league outfield/baserunning coordinator in the [[Tampa Bay Rays|Tampa Bay Devil Rays]] organization. In 1998, he joined the Phillies as a minor league coach. He lasted there for two seasons, until taking 2000 off, until returning to become a minor league baserunning/outfield coordinator again in the Phillies' farm system. On September 9, 2003, Thompson joined the major league Phillies staff as [[first baseman|first base]] coach. The next year, he changed coaching positions to hitting, where he has been for two seasons.<ref>[http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/coach_staff_bio.jsp?c_id=phi&coachorstaffid=7910416715] Phillies.com Coach Bios - Hitting - Thompson, Milt</ref> Since Thompson's tenure as batting coach the Phillies have led the league twice in runs scored, even though they have alternated between only 2nd and 3rd place in their respective division due to pitching difficulties. Thompson was one of the only coaches not fired from the organization in 2005. As the hitting coach of the 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies, he earned his first [[World Series ring]] of his long career in baseball. The Phillies would return to the World Series in 2009, where they lost to the [[New York Yankees]] in six games. Having played for the 1993 National League Champions, Thompson joined [[Larry Bowa]] and [[John Vukovich]] as the only Phillies in franchise history to go to the World Series as both a player and coach for the club.


⚫
In 2004, Thompson joined the major league Phillies staff as first base coach. The next year, he became the team's hitting coach, where he remained for five-plus seasons.<ref name="retrothompsonmain">{{cite web|url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/T/Pthomm001.htm|title=Milt Thompson (Coaching Record)|date=2019|publisher=[[Retrosheet]]|work=retrosheet.org|access-date=May 7, 2019}}</ref> During Thompson's tenure as batting coach, the Phillies have led the league twice in runs scored, even though they have alternated between only 2nd and 3rd place in their respective division due to pitching difficulties. He was one of the few coaches not fired by the organization in 2005. As the hitting coach of the 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies, Thompson earned the first [[World Series ring]] of his long career in baseball. He would return to the World Series in 2009, where the Phillies lost to the [[New York Yankees]], in six games.
On Thursday, July 22, 2010, Milt Thompson was relieved of his duties as hitting coach for the Philadelphia Phillies. Former Minor League hitting coach [[Greg Gross]] has replaced Thompson. He was hired by the Houston Astros in the offseason to be their outfield/baserunning coordinator in their Minor League system.<ref>http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101111&content_id=16066334&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb</ref>

Having played for the 1993 National League Champions, Thompson joined [[Larry Bowa]] and [[John Vukovich]] as the only Phillies in franchise history to go to the World Series as both a player and coach for the club.

On Thursday, July 22, 2010, Thompson was relieved of his duties as the Phillies’ hitting coach, being replaced by former Minor League hitting coach [[Greg Gross]]. Thompson was hired by the Astros that November, as their minor league outfield/base-running coordinator.<ref name="houthompsonmin">{{cite web|url=http://wap.mlb.com/hou/news/article/2010111116066334|title=Astros hire Thompson for Minors coaching job - Hitting coach candidate named outfield/baserunning coordinator|last=McTaggart|first=Brian|date=November 11, 2010|publisher=Houston Astros|work=[[MLB.com]]|access-date=May 7, 2019}}</ref> He became a coach for the [[Kansas City Royals]]’ Class A affiliate, the [[Wilmington Blue Rocks]], in {{by|2014}}.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}} Thompson joined the Reds organization, as a minor league hitting instructor, in {{by|2017}}.<ref name="redshirethompsonmedia">{{cite web|url=http://www.mlb.com/documents/2/6/8/214808268/Player_Development_Staff_2g4xfjnb.pdf|title=Cincinnati Reds 2017 Media Guide|date=2017|page=211|publisher=Cincinnati Reds|work=[[MLB.com]]|access-date=May 7, 2019}}</ref><ref name="redsthompsoncoachmin"/>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Thompson has four daughters. He resides in [[Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey]] with his family.
Thompson has four daughters. He resides in [[Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey]], with his family.


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
* Hit .313 with 6 [[RBI]] in [[1993 World Series]] and set a Phillies record with 5 RBI in Game 4 at [[Veterans Stadium]].
* Hit .313 with 6 [[Run batted in|RBI]] in [[1993 World Series]] and set a Phillies record with 5 RBI in Game 4 at [[Veterans Stadium]].
* Attended [[Colonel Zadok A. Magruder High School]] and [[Howard University]]
* Attended [[Colonel Zadok A. Magruder High School]] and [[Howard University]]
* Graduated from high school in 1977, where, among playing baseball, he played [[American football|football]] and ran [[track and field|track]]
* Graduated from high school in 1977, where, among playing baseball, he played [[American football|football]] and ran [[track and field|track]]
* Thompson was well known for his incredible feats in left field during the early 1990s, including catching several balls over the fence. One famous play took place during the bottom of the eighth inning against the [[San Diego Padres]], with the Phillies up by 2, with the bases loaded and two outs. Thompson robbed the Padres of a grand slam in the final moments of the inning, snatching a ball over the wall.
* Is well known for his incredible feats in left field during the early 1990s, including catching several balls over the fence. One famous play took place on April 29, 1993, in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Padres, with the Phillies up by 2, and the bases loaded, with two outs. Thompson robbed the Padres of a grand slam, to end the inning, snatching a ball back, from over the wall.<ref name=retrogamethompson/>
* Milt resides in Sewell in Washington Twp.
* Resides in Sewell, NJ (Washington Twp., Gloucester Cty.)
* Now with the Reds, as a minor league hitting instructor.<ref name="redsthompsoncoachmin"/>
* He is now with the Kansas City Royals Single A affiliate, Wilmington Blue Rocks (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Milt_Thompson)


==See also==
==See also==
* [[List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders]]


==References==
==References==
Line 61: Line 80:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Baseballstats | br=t/thompmi02 | fangraphs=1013021 | cube=Milt-Thompson|brm=thomps002mil}}
{{baseballstats|mlb=123298|espn=1452|br=t/thompmi02|fangraphs=1013021|brm=thomps002mil|retro=T/Pthomm001}}
*[https://www.thebaseballgauge.com/player.php?playerID=thompmi02 Milt Thompson] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726223413/http://www.thebaseballgauge.com/player.php?playerID=thompmi02 |date=2019-07-26 }} at Baseball Gauge
*[https://www.astrosdaily.com/players/Thompson_Milt.html Milt Thompson] at Astros Daily


{{2008 Philadelphia Phillies}}
{{2008 Philadelphia Phillies}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Thompson, Milt
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American baseball player and coach
| DATE OF BIRTH = January 5, 1959
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Washington, D.C.]]
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thompson, Milt}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thompson, Milt}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Phillies players]]
[[Category:African-American baseball coaches]]
⚫
[[Category:African-American baseball players]]
[[Category:Atlanta Braves players]]
[[Category:Atlanta Braves players]]
[[Category:St. Louis Cardinals players]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Gloucester County, New Jersey]]
⚫
[[Category:Baseball players from Washington, D.C.]]
⚫
[[Category:Baseball players from Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Colorado Rockies players]]
[[Category:Colorado Rockies players]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Dodgers players]]
[[Category:Durham Bulls players]]
[[Category:Greenwood Braves players]]
[[Category:Houston Astros players]]
[[Category:Houston Astros players]]
⚫
[[Category:Baseball players from Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball left fielders]]
[[Category:Howard Bison baseball players]]
[[Category:Howard Bison baseball players]]
⚫
[[Category:Philadelphia Phillies coaches]]
⚫
[[Category:Tampa Bay Devil Rays coaches]]
[[Category:Kingsport Braves players]]
[[Category:Kingsport Braves players]]
[[Category:Greenwood Braves players]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Dodgers players]]
[[Category:Durham Bulls players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball first base coaches]]
[[Category:Savannah Braves players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball hitting coaches]]
[[Category:Richmond Braves players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball left fielders]]
⚫
[[Category:Portland Beavers players]]
⚫
[[Category:Sportspeople from Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Atlanta, Georgia]]
⚫
[[Category:People from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:People from Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:People from Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:African-American baseball players]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Phillies coaches]]
⚫
[[Category:Philadelphia Phillies players]]
[[Category:Portland Beavers players]]
[[Category:Richmond Braves players]]
[[Category:St. Louis Cardinals players]]
[[Category:Savannah Braves players]]
⚫
[[Category:Baseball coaches from Washington, D.C.]]
⚫
[[Category:Tampa Bay Devil Rays coaches]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen]]

Latest revision as of 22:36, 6 November 2024

Milt Thompson
Thompson at the White House in 2009
Outfielder
Born: (1959-01-05) January 5, 1959 (age 65)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 4, 1984, for the Atlanta Braves
Last MLB appearance
July 28, 1996, for the Colorado Rockies
MLB statistics
Batting average.274
Home runs47
Runs batted in357
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
As player
As coach
Career highlights and awards

Milton Bernard Thompson (born January 5, 1959), is an American former professional baseball outfielder, pinch hitter, and coach, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Colorado Rockies. He returned as the Cincinnati Reds’ minor league hitting instructor, for the 2019 season.[1] Over his MLB career, Thompson compiled a batting average of .274.[2]

Major league career

[edit]

The Atlanta Braves drafted Thompson in the 2nd round (29th overall) of the 1979 draft, out of Howard University. He made his big league debut, five years later, in 1984.[3] After two years in Atlanta, as a part-time left fielder, the Braves traded Thompson, along with Steve Bedrosian, to the Phillies, for Ozzie Virgil and Pete Smith. Thompson continued to impress, batting .251, .302, and .288, respectively, in his three seasons in Philadelphia.

On December 16, 1988, Thompson was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, for Steve Lake and Curt Ford,[4] where he spent four years and posted his highest batting average ever, .307, in 1991. Following the 1992 season, Thompson was granted free agency and elected to return to the Phillies.

As a key component in the Phillies’ unexpected, last-to-first 1993 National League Championship team, Thompson platooned in left field with Pete Incaviglia, in the World Series, against the Toronto Blue Jays. He remained an ever-popular fan favorite, while having another stellar season.

Perhaps Thompson's greatest MLB performance came on April 29, 1993. That day, the Phillies left fielder really "brought his 'A' Game" to the San Diego Padres’ Jack Murphy Stadium. He had already gone 3-for-4 at the plate (3 singles), with 2 runs batted in (RBI), and one run scored. Then, crowning his day — and quite possibly his big league career: With the game on the line and the Phillies ahead 5-3, in the bottom of the eighth inning and two out, the Padres had the bases loaded, bringing their slugging right-handed catcher, Bob Geren, to the plate. David West, the Phillies’ left-handed relief pitcher, delivered a choice fastball that took a long ride, sailing over 370 feet (110 m) from home plate, and above the wall in left-center field. The fleet-footed Thompson arrived just in time, planted his feet, and made a surreal leap – seemingly sensing in some sort of inexact prayer, where the ball was – and cradled it into his glove's web, retiring the side and preserving another Phillies win, in that magical 1993 season, high-fiving center fielder Lenny Dykstra all the way to the visiting dugout.[5]

On July 31, 1994, Thompson was traded by Philadelphia, to the Houston Astros, for pitcher Tom Edens. Again, following the 1994 season, Thompson was granted free agency, after being with the Astros for only a short time. As a free agent, he elected to re-sign with Houston, for another year. After the 1995 season, Thompson was again a free agent, and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers; on June 27, 1996, he was selected off waivers by the Colorado Rockies. His career with the Rockies lasted just over 5 weeks, as Thompson received his unconditional release on August 2, 1996, thus ending his big league playing career.[2]

Coaching

[edit]

In 1997, Thompson became the minor league outfield/base-running coordinator in the Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization. In 1998, he joined the Phillies as a minor league coach. Thompson lasted there for two seasons, until taking 2000 off, then returned as a minor league base-running/outfield coordinator, again in the Phillies farm system.

In 2004, Thompson joined the major league Phillies staff as first base coach. The next year, he became the team's hitting coach, where he remained for five-plus seasons.[6] During Thompson's tenure as batting coach, the Phillies have led the league twice in runs scored, even though they have alternated between only 2nd and 3rd place in their respective division due to pitching difficulties. He was one of the few coaches not fired by the organization in 2005. As the hitting coach of the 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies, Thompson earned the first World Series ring of his long career in baseball. He would return to the World Series in 2009, where the Phillies lost to the New York Yankees, in six games.

Having played for the 1993 National League Champions, Thompson joined Larry Bowa and John Vukovich as the only Phillies in franchise history to go to the World Series as both a player and coach for the club.

On Thursday, July 22, 2010, Thompson was relieved of his duties as the Phillies’ hitting coach, being replaced by former Minor League hitting coach Greg Gross. Thompson was hired by the Astros that November, as their minor league outfield/base-running coordinator.[7] He became a coach for the Kansas City Royals’ Class A affiliate, the Wilmington Blue Rocks, in 2014.[citation needed] Thompson joined the Reds organization, as a minor league hitting instructor, in 2017.[8][1]

Personal life

[edit]

Thompson has four daughters. He resides in Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, with his family.

Trivia

[edit]
  • Hit .313 with 6 RBI in 1993 World Series and set a Phillies record with 5 RBI in Game 4 at Veterans Stadium.
  • Attended Colonel Zadok A. Magruder High School and Howard University
  • Graduated from high school in 1977, where, among playing baseball, he played football and ran track
  • Is well known for his incredible feats in left field during the early 1990s, including catching several balls over the fence. One famous play took place on April 29, 1993, in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Padres, with the Phillies up by 2, and the bases loaded, with two outs. Thompson robbed the Padres of a grand slam, to end the inning, snatching a ball back, from over the wall.[5]
  • Resides in Sewell, NJ (Washington Twp., Gloucester Cty.)
  • Now with the Reds, as a minor league hitting instructor.[1]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Gray, Doug (January 10, 2019). "Reds announce 2019 coordinators and instructors". www.redsminorleagues.com. RedsMinorLeagues.com. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Milt Thompson Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  3. ^ Thompson, Milt Archived June 14, 2006, at the Wayback Machine Baseball Library
  4. ^ "Phils Trade Thompson For 2 Cards". philly-archives. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Philadelphia Phillies 5, San Diego Padres 3 Box Score". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet. April 29, 1993. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  6. ^ "Milt Thompson (Coaching Record)". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet. 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  7. ^ McTaggart, Brian (November 11, 2010). "Astros hire Thompson for Minors coaching job - Hitting coach candidate named outfield/baserunning coordinator". MLB.com. Houston Astros. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  8. ^ "Cincinnati Reds 2017 Media Guide" (PDF). MLB.com. Cincinnati Reds. 2017. p. 211. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
[edit]
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