Danny Thompson
Born: 2/1/1947 in Wichita, KS, USA
Died: 12/10/1976 in Rochester, MN, USA
MLB Debut: 1970-06-25 | Final Game: 1976-10-02
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 183 lbs
Full name: Danny Leon Thompson
Biography
Danny Thompson was a professional baseball player born in 1947, who had a career spanning from 1970 to 1976. He played primarily as a position player, appearing in 694 games throughout his time in Major League Baseball. Thompson was known for his steady presence at the plate, finishing his career with a batting average of .248, accumulating 550 hits, 15 home runs, and 194 RBIs. His ability to contribute in various aspects of the game was highlighted by his 8 stolen bases during his career, showcasing a blend of power and speed that was valuable in the era he played.
Thompson's career coincided with a transformative period in baseball, as the game was evolving with players beginning to embrace more athletic styles and approaches. While he may not have been a household name, his contributions and reliability as a player were significant to the teams he represented. He played during a time when the sport was experiencing changes both on and off the field, and his journey through the Major Leagues reflected the dedication and hard work required to succeed in a competitive environment. Thompson's legacy endures as a part of the rich tapestry of baseball history.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 694 | 2218 | 189 | 550 | 70 | 11 | 15 | 194 | 8 | 120 | 235 | 0.248 | 0.287 | 0.310 | 0.596 | -5571.1 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | MIN | AL | 96 | 302 | 25 | 66 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 7 | 39 | 0.219 | -1855.3 |
| 1971 | MIN | AL | 48 | 57 | 10 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 12 | 0.263 | -45.1 |
| 1972 | MIN | AL | 144 | 573 | 54 | 158 | 22 | 6 | 4 | 48 | 3 | 34 | 57 | 0.276 | 67.4 |
| 1973 | MIN | AL | 99 | 347 | 29 | 78 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 36 | 1 | 16 | 41 | 0.225 | -1560.1 |
| 1974 | MIN | AL | 97 | 264 | 25 | 66 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 25 | 1 | 22 | 29 | 0.250 | -360.8 |
| 1975 | MIN | AL | 112 | 355 | 25 | 96 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 37 | 0 | 18 | 30 | 0.270 | -508.4 |
| 1976 | MIN | AL | 34 | 124 | 9 | 29 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 0.234 | -480.3 |
| 1976 | TEX | AL | 64 | 196 | 12 | 42 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 2 | 13 | 19 | 0.214 | -480.3 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.125 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | ALCS | MIN | 3 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.125 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 99 | 85 | 171 | 246 | 6 | 39 |
| 3B | 106 | 49 | 48 | 107 | 8 | 11 |
| SS | 478 | 441 | 724 | 1367 | 97 | 234 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | MIN | 2B | 81 | 70 | 144 | 204 | 5 | 35 |
| 1970 | MIN | 3B | 37 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 3 |
| 1970 | MIN | SS | 6 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 1 | 1 |
| 1971 | MIN | 2B | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| 1971 | MIN | 3B | 17 | 8 | 9 | 17 | 3 | 2 |
| 1971 | MIN | SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1972 | MIN | SS | 144 | 144 | 247 | 468 | 32 | 76 |
| 1973 | MIN | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1973 | MIN | SS | 95 | 92 | 131 | 326 | 24 | 50 |
| 1974 | MIN | 3B | 5 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 2 |
| 1974 | MIN | SS | 88 | 69 | 127 | 183 | 12 | 39 |
| 1975 | MIN | 2B | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1975 | MIN | 3B | 7 | 6 | 4 | 16 | 2 | 1 |
| 1975 | MIN | SS | 100 | 89 | 138 | 245 | 24 | 40 |
| 1976 | MIN | SS | 34 | 34 | 58 | 103 | 2 | 23 |
| 1976 | TEX | 2B | 14 | 11 | 18 | 36 | 0 | 4 |
| 1976 | TEX | 3B | 39 | 30 | 28 | 54 | 2 | 3 |
| 1976 | TEX | SS | 10 | 9 | 14 | 27 | 2 | 5 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 99 |
| Third Base | 105 |
| Shortstop | 478 |
| Designated Hitter | 6 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Hutch Award |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma State University | Stillwater | OK | 1967, 1968 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 23th | 5.0 | 336 | 0 |