1976 Topps #261 - Gary Thomasson

• Gary Thomasson played in the majors from 1972-1980. He was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1969. He batted .359 as a 17-year-old in Great Falls (Rookie-League level). He also fared well in the minors from 1970-1972, batting between .270 and .280 in all three years. At the end of the 1972 season Gary got into 10 September games with the Giants and batted .333 in 27 at bats.

• Thomasson played all three OF positions and 1B for the Giants in 1973. He batted .285 in 235 at bats. For the next three years (1974-1976) Gary had the same role with the Giants -- fourth outfielder and backup first baseman. He batted just over 300 times per year and had averages of .244 (1974), .227 (1975), and .259 (1976).

• In 1977 Thomasson was the starting LF for the Giants. In 145 games he batted .256 with 17 home runs, 71 RBI, and 16 stolen bases. After the season Gary was sent to the Oakland A's in the big trade that brought Vida Blue to the Giants.

• Gary started slowly for the A's in 1978. He was batting .201 in 154 AB when he was traded to the New York Yankees for Dell Alston, Mickey Klutts, and $50,000 on June 15. Thomasson performed much better for the Yankees -- he batted .276 in 116 AB as a backup OF and DH. He played in a total of six games in the ALCS and the World Series, going 1 for 5.

• After the 1978 season Gary was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Brad Gulden. He was a backup outfielder and first baseman for the Dodgers in 1979 and 1980. He played in 115 games in '79 (.248 with 14 HR in 315 AB) and 80 games (.216 in 111 AB) in 1980. After the 1980 season Gary was sold to the Yomiuri Giants (Japanese Central League).

• Thomasson played in Japan in 1981 and 1982. Gary set the all-time strikeout record in Japan in 1981, then he had a career-ending knee injury in 1982.
  
  
  
• Liked to face: Phil Niekro (.400 in 40 AB); Jack Billingham (.389 in 36 AB); Bob Forsch (.367 in 30 AB)
• Hated to face: Andy Messersmith (.105 in 38 AB); J.R. Richard (.189 in 37 AB); Dick Ruthven (.083 in 24 AB)