James Leroy “Lee” Thomas was an American professional baseball player and front-office executive who lived from February 5, 1936, to August 31, 2022.
Lee Thomas passed away at 86
Lee Thomas, an All-Star player who helped build the 1993 National League champion Philadelphia Phillies, has passed away. He was 86.
From 1961 through 1968, he was a Major League Baseball (MLB) player for the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, and Houston Astros. From 1969 to 1970, he was a Nippon Professional Baseball player with the Nankai Hawks. Thomas played in two MLB All-Star Games.
Lee Thomas Cause of death
Lee Thomas, an All-Star player who later served as the Philadelphia Phillies’ chief architect in 1993, The Phillies reported that Thomas passed away on Wednesday at his home in St. Louis.
There was no explanation of the cause provided. lies, is no more. He was 86.
Lee Thomas career as a player
Thomas was born in Peoria, Illinois, and later relocated with his family to St. Louis, Missouri. He obtained his high school diploma from Beaumont in St. Louis. Thomas was signed by New York Yankees scout Lou Maguolo not long after he received his high school diploma in 1954. [1] Thomas produced strong offensive numbers in minor league baseball, but he was unable to crack the Yankees’ starting lineup. He batted for the Yankees twice in 1961, recording one hit. In exchange for Bob Cerv and Tex Clevenger, the Yankees sent the Los Angeles Angels Thomas, Ryne Duren, and Johnny James.
Following the 1965 season, the Red Sox dealt Dan Osinski and Bob Sadowski to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Thomas, Arnold Earley, and a player whose identity would be revealed later. To complete the exchange, the Red Sox traded Jay Ritchie to the Braves. [6] The Braves dealt Ted Abernathy to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Thomas on May 28, 1966. [7] Prior to the 1968 season, the Houston Astros acquired Thomas from the Cubs for two minor league players. For the 1970 campaign, he entered into a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals organisation, and they reassigned him to the American Association’s Tulsa Oilers. [11] Thomas had an overall batting average of.255 in Major League Baseball over the course of 1,027 games, 847 hits, and 106 home runs.
Lee Thomas career as a officer
Thomas became the bullpen coach for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1971. He was appointed manager of the GCL Red Birds in the Gulf Coast League’s rookie division in 1973. Then, in 1974, Thomas was promoted to Class A and appointed manager of the California League’s Modesto Reds.
In 1975, Thomas started working with the Cardinals as a travelling secretary before becoming the head of player development in 1980. He had a significant role in the St. Louis organization’s success in the early to mid-1980s, when manager Whitey Herzog’s Cards won the 1982 World Series and the National League pennants in 1982, 1985, and 1987.
Ed Wade, Thomas’ assistant, took over as general manager after Thomas was let go. In 1998, he went back to work with the Red Sox, this time serving as Dan Duquette’s special assistant. [16] Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon, two free agent outfielders, were signed by Boston in December 2000 and January 2001, respectively.
He worked as a scout for the Astros and the Milwaukee Brewers[17] before joining the Baltimore Orioles on December 4, 2011, as an executive vice president’s special assistant. Up to the completion of the 2018 campaign, he held the position.
Tribute to Lee Thomas
Phillies Chairman Emeritus Bill Giles remarked, “Lee was a fantastic man and will be sorely missed. “I’ll never forget how much pleasure we had watching the lineup he put together to win the National League championship for the Phillies in 1993. Lee’s leadership has irrevocably altered the course of Phillies history. His wife Susie and the rest of his family have my deepest sympathies.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 31, 2022
Schilling wrote in a text message, “Such a good, compassionate dude.” Even the negative interactions were positive with Lee. I adored every aspect of him.
Lee Thomas’s family
Susie, his wife, and their four sons—Matthew, Scott, Deron, and Daryl—remain with Thomas.
Thomas had two marriages. He has four kids in total.
Lee Thomas: A legend player
Thomas, a former All-Star who played first base and the outfield, hit 106 home runs over the course of his 1,027-game career. He was selected as an American League All-Star in 1962, batting.290 with 104 RBIs and 26 home runs. He spent a portion of eight seasons with the Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles.
Also read
- Nirvair Singh Killed in Car Crash: What happened to Punjabi singer Nirvair Singh at Diggers Rest?
- Two back-to-back Child kidnap attempts in Seattle: Motive, Suspect & What happened?
Follow us on Twitter
