Books and articles about Andre Thornton

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A quiet slugger, Thornton was Cleveland's most identifiable player during the late 1970s and 1980s. His poise, courage, and overall attitude won the respect of fans, teammates, and opponents. If not for injuries, he would have become Cleveland's all-time home run leader. He hit 214 homers for the Indians, 14 fewer than Hal Trosky, despite missing all of the 1980 season, much of 1981, and parts of 1985 and 1986. He led the club in homers seven times, including four straight seasons, set a club record (righthanded) by walking 109 times in 1982, and became only the second Indian with 100 walks and 100 RBI in the same season (with Al Rosen). A devout Christian, Thornton was a respectable first baseman until injury relegated him to full-time designated hitting. He was first baseman on the Baseball Digest 1974 All-Rookie team. One of the great trades in Cleveland history brought Thornton in exchange for pitcher Jackie Brown. (ME)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » May 19, 1973: In what is considered one of the worst trades in Braves history, Atlanta sends 23-year-old Andre Thornton to the Cubs for 1B Joe Pepitone. Pepi will go to bat just 11 times for the Braves and never play again. » May 17, 1976: The Cubs send Andre Thornton, hitting just .200, to Montreal for P Steve Renko and OF Larry Biittner. » December 10, 1976: The Expos send Andre Thornton, whose average slumped 100 points to .194, to the Indians for P Jackie Brown. A great pickup for the Tribe, Thornton will lead the club in home runs seven times as a 1B/DH. » April 22, 1978: Before a crowd of 36,005—4th largest in Fenway history—the Indians trounce the Red Sox, 13–4, ending Boston's eight game win streak. Tomorrow's crowd will be 36,388 for a doubleheader split between the same two teams. Cleveland's starter Rick Wise, traded to Cleveland in the final week of spring training, makes a triumphant return to Fenway, despite giving up a 3-run homer to George Scott. Cleveland is led by Andre Thornton, who clouts his 4th homer and hits for the cycle, all off different pitchers. » August 10, 1978: The Red Sox trip the Indians, 6–5, in 13 innings as Butch Hobson scores the tying run on a bizarre play: He lofts a pop fly behind second base and races around to 2B as 2B Duane Kuiper loses the ball in the sun. Kuiper picks up the ball but bumps into 1B Andre Thornton and the ball rolls towards first base and C Bo Diaz. With Hobson motoring towards 3B, Diaz overthrows the base. Hobson, having slid into the third, picks himself up and races home. The throw from the outfield is in time to Diaz, but he can't get the ball out of his glove and a sliding Hobson is home free. A George Scott double and Rick Burleson single then wins the game. Bob Stanley (8–1) picks up the victory. » August 23, 1979: At Cleveland, the A's Rick Langford gives up six hits and six runs in the 1st inning, including a grand slam to Andre Thornton and a solo by Ron Hassey. He then allows just one hit over the next eight innings, and the A's come back to win, 8–6. » May 2, 1984: Cleveland's Andre Thornton walks six times in an Indians win at Baltimore, 9–7, in 16 innings. Thornton joins Jimmie Foxx as the only players this century to receive this many passes in a game. » August 20, 1999: This'll give managers grey hairs. Houston defeats Florida, 6-4, in 16 innings, despite blowing a 4–0 lead, striking out 17 times, and stranding 20 runners. Astros 1B Jeff Bagwell walks six times to tie a major league mark held by Jimmie Foxx and Andre Thornton.