Books and articles about Fresco Thompson

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Quick-witted Fresco Thompson became a successful executive after playing his best years for the futile 1927-30 Phillies. He was set to be the Giants' second baseman in '27 when New York obtained Rogers Hornsby and sent Thompson to Philadelphia. He batted .303 in 1927, and .324, with 115 runs scored, in 1929. A willing after-dinner speaker, he became an assistant farm director for the Dodgers, moved up the executive ladder, and survived the front-office purge that followed Branch Rickey's departure in 1951. Shortly before his death, he was named the Dodgers' executive vice president and general manager. (JK)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » January 9, 1927: In a 3-way deal, P Burleigh Grimes goes from Brooklyn to the Giants, C Butch Henline goes from Philadelphia to Brooklyn, and Giants 2B Fresco Thompson and P Jack Scott wind up with the Phils. » July 24, 1930: The Phillies Chuck Klein objects sharply to an eighth-inning strike call by umpire Lou Jorda and is banished for the first time in his career. Also ejected are manager Burt Shotton, captain Fresco Thompson, and 1B Don Hurst. It is necessary to use 42-year-old Cy Williams in RF in the ninth, the only inning of play Klein will miss in 1930. » August 29, 1930: A little comedy is injected into an 11-inning, 9–8 Braves victory over the Phillies. The Braves Rabbit Maranville makes the 3rd out of the 4th inning in a steal attempt at 2B. He argues vigorously and at length. Fresco Thompson of the Phils finally tires of it, picks up the scrappy little guy and carries him to his position at SS. » October 14, 1930: Brooklyn sends a bundle of cash to the last-place Phillies, together with some 2nd-line players, to obtain Lefty O'Doul and Fresco Thompson. » September 7, 1931: Van Lingle Mungo, Uncle Robby's last find as a pitcher, reports to Brooklyn from Hartford and shuts out Boston 2–0 in his first start. He fans seven and hits a triple and a single to drive in both runs. Ancient Tom Zachary takes the loss. Brooklyn also took the opener, 5–4, in 10 innings on Fresco Thompson's RBI single. » June 4, 1968: Fresco Thompson succeeds Buzzie Bavasi as general manager of the Dodgers. Bavasi will run the new NL club in San Diego.