Beginning his career as a center and left fielder with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Thomas hit 30 home runs with 102 runs batted in (RBIs) in his first full season in 1953 before being named to the All-Star team each of the next two seasons. He had career highs of 35 home runs and 109 RBIs in 1958, and was named the starting third baseman for the All-Star Game. Thomas was traded after that season, however, in the first of four trades in three years. He continued his productivity, hitting at least 20 home runs in all but one season between 1953 and 1962.
After being acquired by the expansion New York Mets, he led the team with 34 home runs and 94 RBIs in their first season in 1962. His hitting declined after that year, and he ended his career playing for five clubs in his last three seasons. By the end of his career, Thomas had played every infield and outfield position except shortstop, and his 163 home runs with the Pirates placed him second in team history at the time behind Ralph Kiner. His 34 home runs with the 1962 Mets remained the team record until 1975, and his 94 RBIs that year were the team's top mark until 1970.
Thomas signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates as an amateur free agent in 1947. He made his major league debut with the Pirates in 1951. With the Pirates, he made three All-Star Games,[1] and finished fourth in the voting for Most Valuable Player in 1958,[3] when he batted .281, finished second in the National LeaguetoErnie Banks with 35 home runs, and had 109 runs batted in (RBIs). Thomas appeared on the cover of the July 28, 1958, issue of Sports Illustrated.[4] He also won his only NL Player of the Month award in June, batting .275 with nine home runs and 29 RBIs.[5] On August 16, 1958, Thomas hit three home runs in a 13–4 rout of the Cincinnati Reds.[6]
On July 3, 1965, Thomas got into a fight with Richie Allen, in which he hit Allen with a bat in the shoulder. After that night's game, the Phillies placed Thomas on irrevocable waivers.[16] He was purchased by the Houston Astros from the Phillies on July 10, 1965.[17] While the Phillies prohibited Allen from telling his side of the story, there was no restriction on Thomas, who made it seem that Allen's behavior had gotten Thomas released.[18] The Astros traded Thomas to Braves for a player to be named later (Mickey Sinnerud) in September 1965.[19][20]
On April 5, 1966, Thomas was released by the Braves.[21] He signed with the Cubs on May 14,[22] and after recording five plate appearances without a hit, he was released on June 4.[23]
In a 16-season career, Thomas posted a .266 batting average with 286 home runs and 962 RBIs in 1,766 games. He was larger than the average player of his time, and known for his opinionated nature.[1] His nicknames as a player included "The Big Donkey"[24] and "Lurch".[16]
Thomas and his wife, Dolores Wozniak, were married in 1951 and had eight children before her death in 2012. He had 12 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.[1]
Thomas suffered a fall in 2021 which required a hospital stay.[25] Despite the fall, Thomas was well enough to attend the Mets' Old Timers' Day in August 2022.[26]
Thomas died in Pittsburgh on January 16, 2023, at age 93.[27][28]
