| Sloppy Thurston | |
|---|---|
 Thurston, circa 1924 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1899-06-02)June 2, 1899 Fremont, Nebraska, U.S. | |
| Died: September 14, 1973(1973-09-14) (aged 74) Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 19, 1923, for the St. Louis Browns | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| October 1, 1933, for the Brooklyn Dodgers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 89–86 |
| Earned run average | 4.24 |
| Strikeouts | 306 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Hollis John "Sloppy"Thurston (June 2, 1899 – September 14, 1973) was an American professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theSt. Louis Browns,Chicago White Sox,Washington Senators, andBrooklyn Robins/Dodgers between 1923 and 1933. He batted and threw right-handed.[1]
Thurston was born inFremont, Nebraska, and graduated fromJohn H. Francis Polytechnic High School.[2]
Thurston was ascrewball pitcher.[3] He played professional baseball from 1920 to 1938, spending time in the minor leagues when not in the majors. He played his first MLB game on April 19, 1923, with theSt. Louis Browns.
On August 22, 1923, Thurston became the fifth pitcher in major-league history to pitch animmaculate inning, striking out all three batters on nine total pitches in the 12th inning of a game against thePhiladelphia Athletics; he was also the first pitcher to achieve the feat inextra innings and the only White Sox pitcher to do so for 101 years untilMichael Kopech did so in 2024.[4]
In 1924, Thurston led the American League with 28 complete games, posting a 20–14 record in 36 starts, while also leading the league in hits allowed (330), earned runs allowed (123), and home runs allowed (17) in 291 innings pitched.[2]
Thurston played his last MLB game on October 1, 1933. He finished his nine-year MLB career with awin–loss record of 89–86, a 4.24earned run average, and 306strikeouts. As a hitter, he posted a .270batting average (175-for-648) with 5home runs and 79runs batted in.[2]
Thurston died on September 14, 1973, inLos Angeles, California. He is interred atHoly Cross Cemetery inCulver City, California.[2]
