Tim Thompson was a US Navy vet who signed with the Dodgers in 1947 and hit well in the minors. His problem was that, in 1949 and 1950 as he was probably ready to make the big league club (he batted .293 in '49), he was roadblocked by some guy named Roy Campanella.
Thompson got a taste of the big leagues in 1954 and was finally, after half a decade of waiting patiently at the AAA level, dealt to the A's on the eve of the 1956 season. He spent two years as a platoon catcher in Kansas City, a handful of games with the '58 Tigers, and a couple more minor league seasons before retiring from the ballfield. Over his 14-year minor league career, he had a .293 batting average.
He went on to a long career as a minor league coach, scout, and head of scouting for the Cardinals, Dodgers, and Orioles. He is credited as being the first NL backstop to wear glasses while playing. I like how much the cartoon depiction resembles him.
I just got this card signed by Mr. Thompson, as he is still alive. It makes #51 of my signed 1958 Topps collection. I'm with you, I love the design of these cards. They're incredible.
ReplyDelete