Danny Serafini
08-28-2006, 04:31 PM
Sorry if this was posted already, hadn't seen it here.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2561718
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Gene "Junior" Thompson, who pitched in the major leagues for six years and was a member of the Cincinnati Reds' 1940 championship team before embarking on a long career as an Arizona-based baseball scout, has died. He was 89.
Thompson died Thursday at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn, according to family members. Hospital officials would not release information Friday on the cause of death.
Thompson had a 47-35 record with Cincinnati (1939-42) and the New York Giants (1946-47). His career was interrupted for three years by World War II, during which he served in the Navy.
He went 16-9 in 1940 for the Reds, who beat the Detroit Tigers in the World Series that year.
Shortly after his playing career ended, Thompson began scouting for the San Francisco Giants and worked 40 years for the team. He then scouted briefly for the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs and worked for the San Diego Padres from 1997 until he retired last October.
"He was an old-school scout," said former major-league catcher Joe Garagiola Sr. "No radar gun or nothing. He'd have a 25-cent notebook and write down in it: 'Can't play. No arm.'"
Thompson had lived in Arizona since 1971. His wife of 67 years, Dorothy, died last December.
He is survived by a daughter, a granddaughter, a grandson and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were pending.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2561718
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Gene "Junior" Thompson, who pitched in the major leagues for six years and was a member of the Cincinnati Reds' 1940 championship team before embarking on a long career as an Arizona-based baseball scout, has died. He was 89.
Thompson died Thursday at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn, according to family members. Hospital officials would not release information Friday on the cause of death.
Thompson had a 47-35 record with Cincinnati (1939-42) and the New York Giants (1946-47). His career was interrupted for three years by World War II, during which he served in the Navy.
He went 16-9 in 1940 for the Reds, who beat the Detroit Tigers in the World Series that year.
Shortly after his playing career ended, Thompson began scouting for the San Francisco Giants and worked 40 years for the team. He then scouted briefly for the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs and worked for the San Diego Padres from 1997 until he retired last October.
"He was an old-school scout," said former major-league catcher Joe Garagiola Sr. "No radar gun or nothing. He'd have a 25-cent notebook and write down in it: 'Can't play. No arm.'"
Thompson had lived in Arizona since 1971. His wife of 67 years, Dorothy, died last December.
He is survived by a daughter, a granddaughter, a grandson and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were pending.