Bobby Thomson
From SoSH
| Born: | October 25, 1923 |
| Birthplace: | Glasgow, Scotland |
| Hometown: | |
| Height: | 6' 2" |
| Weight: | 185 lbs |
| Bats: | Right |
| Throws: | Right |
| Drafted: | 1942: Amateur Free Agent by the New York Giants |
| College: | |
| High School: | |
| Other Teams: | New York Giants 1946-53, 57 Milwaukee Braves 1954-57 Chicago Cubs 1958-59 Baltimore Orioles 1960 |
| Years with Boston: | 1960 |
Contents |
Overall Career
Robert Brown "Bobby" Thomson (born October 25, 1923 in Glasgow, Scotland), was born in Scotland but moved to the United States with his family as a boy. He signed his first baseball contract with the Giants in 1942 and missed three full seasons while in service in World War II. 1951 was Thomson's best offensive season, as he hit 32 homers and drove in 101 runs (the final three on his famous homer). Upon being trade from the Giants in 1954, he bounced around the National League, never finding the same success he had with New York. Thomson retired in 1960, with 264 career home runs, after a failed attempt in the American League (with the Red Sox & Orioles).
Awards
- 3-time National League All-Star (1948, 1949, 1952)
Thomson's Moments in the Sun
- Thomson became a celebrity for hitting a walkoff home run in a playoff game, off of Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca, to win the 1951 National League pennant. The home run (nicknamed the "Shot Heard 'Round the World") is one of the most famous in baseball history.
Trivia
- Waiting to hit behind Thomson in the on deck circle, when he hit "The Shot Heard Round the World" was rookie Willie Mays.
- The home run Thomson hit that became "the Shot Heard 'Round the World" was his 9th off Dodger pitching in 1951.
- In 2004, he was inducted into The Scottish Sports Hall Of Fame in recognition of his accomplishments.
- Thomson suffered a broken ankle in spring training 1954. He was slated to be the starting left fielder for the Milwaukee Braves. Instead, the Braves started a little known rookie named Hank Aaron.
- Nickname: Flying Scot or The Staten Island Scot
Transactions
- Before 1942 Season: Signed by the New York Giants as an amateur free agent.
- February 1, 1954: Traded by the New York Giants with Sam Calderone to the Milwaukee Braves for Johnny Antonelli, Don Liddle, Ebba St. Claire, Billy Klaus, and $50,000.
- June 15, 1957: Traded by the Milwaukee Braves with Ray Crone and Danny O'Connell to the New York Giants for Red Schoendienst.
- April 3, 1958: Traded by the San Francisco Giants to the Chicago Cubs for Bob Speake and cash.
- December 1, 1959: Traded by the Chicago Cubs to the Boston Red Sox for Al Schroll.
- July 1, 1960: Released by the Boston Red Sox.
- July 4, 1960: Signed as a Free Agent with the Baltimore Orioles.
- July 26, 1960: Released by the Baltimore Orioles.
External Links
- Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis
