Big Sam Thompson: Baseball's Greatest Clutch Hitter

by Roy Kerr

Forgotten today, Sam Thompson (1860-1922) was one of the most dominant five skills players of his era. At the plate, he batted .331, was second among 19th century players in home runs, and ranks first all-time in RBI per game (.923). In his prime, he averaged 25 steals a season. Defensively, he registered 283 outfield assists (12th all-time), and is first among all outfielders (with 1,000+ games) in his ratio of assists per game with one every 4.9 games. Using a primitive fielding glove with no webbing or pocket, he compiled the highest fielding average of any outfielder (1,000+ games) who completed his career before 1900. At age 46, 10 years after his last full major league season, Thompson played eight games for the injury-plagued Detroit Tigers, winning one contest with his bat and saving several others with spectacular catches in the outfield. This comprehensive biography traces Thompson's life and career from his childhood in rural Danville, Indiana, to his last days as a U.S. deputy marshal in Detroit, and clarifies his status of one of the greatest players in baseball's long and storied history.

228 pages, Paperback

First published January 12, 2015

Reviews

[Chris Theule · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book on this little-known slugger and all-time great base ball player from the 19th century.

[Dana M Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent historical read

Excellent, well researched account of Sam Thompson with pertinent historical references. The book is well written and easy to read.