Dan Thomas
Born: 5/9/1951 in Birmingham, AL, USA
Died: 6/12/1980 in Mobile, AL, USA
MLB Debut: 1976-09-02 | Final Game: 1977-05-18
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 190 lbs
Full name: Danny Lee Thomas
Biography
Dan Thomas, born in 1951, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in the Major Leagues as a position player during a brief career from 1976 to 1977. Over the course of 54 games, he showcased his offensive capabilities, recording 48 hits, 6 home runs, and 26 RBIs, while maintaining a batting average of .274. Known for his solid hitting and occasional power, Thomas contributed to his teams during the transitional period in baseball that saw the emergence of more offensive-oriented play following the tail end of the deadball era.
Despite a career that spanned just over a season, Thomas left an indelible mark in the hearts of fans and players alike. His one stolen base exemplified his ability to add speed to his game, albeit modestly. Thomas's brief tenure in the majors reflects the challenges many players faced during the 1970s, a decade marked by changing styles of play and the ongoing evolution of the game. Although his time in the spotlight was limited, his accomplishments on the field remain a testament to his skill and dedication to baseball.
Negro Leagues Career Statistics
Batting
| PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100.0 | 92.0 | 12.0 | 23.0 | 2.0 | 0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 6.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.250 | 0.296 | 0.304 | 0.600 |
Negro Leagues Season-by-Season Batting
| Season | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | 12.0 | 9.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.333 | 0.400 | 0.333 | 0.733 |
| 1940 | 88.0 | 83.0 | 11.0 | 20.0 | 2.0 | 0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.241 | 0.284 | 0.301 | 0.585 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | 175 | 24 | 48 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 26 | 1 | 22 | 39 | 0.274 | 0.363 | 0.457 | 0.820 | 515.2 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | ATL | AL | 32 | 105 | 13 | 29 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 15 | 1 | 14 | 28 | 0.276 | 398.2 |
| 1977 | ATL | AL | 22 | 70 | 11 | 19 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 8 | 11 | 0.271 | 117.1 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 41 | 40 | 82 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | ML4 | OF | 32 | 31 | 60 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 1977 | ML4 | OF | 9 | 9 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 41 |
| Designated Hitter | 10 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Illinois University Carbondale | Carbondale | IL | 1971, 1972 |