| Junior Thompson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1917-06-07)June 7, 1917 Latham, Illinois, U.S. | |
| Died: August 24, 2006(2006-08-24) (aged 89) Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 26, 1939, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| July 4, 1947, for the New York Giants | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 47–35 |
| Earned run average | 3.26 |
| Strikeouts | 315 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Junior Eugene Thompson (June 7, 1917 – August 24, 2006), also known asGene Thompson, was an American right-handedpitcher inMajor League Baseball who played for theCincinnati Reds andNew York Giants.
Born inLatham, Illinois, Thompson made his professional debut in the Reds' farm system in 1935. After a year off, he spent 1937 and 1938 with several minor league teams, primarily theSyracuse Chiefs. He was promoted to the Reds the following year and made his major league debut on April 26, 1939.
Thompson played for the Reds between 1939 and 1942, earning 39wins against 27 losses. He was 13–5 as a rookie, but lost Game 3 of theWorld Series against theNew York Yankees as the Reds were swept. Thompson was a member of the Reds team that won the1940 World Series against theDetroit Tigers, achieving a 16–9 record in the regular season although he was ineffective in his only Series start in Game 5. He played for the Giants in 1947–48, posting an 8–8 record. He ended his career with a record of 47–35, a 3.26earned run average and 315strikeouts in 185 games and686+2⁄3innings pitched.
In between playing for the Reds and Giants, Thompson served in theUnited States Navy during World War II.[1]
After his career ended, Thompson became a scout for the Giants, by then in San Francisco, serving in that capacity for 40 years. He worked briefly for theCleveland Indians andChicago Cubs before finishing his career with theSan Diego Padres, finally retiring in 2005.[2] He died at age 89 inScottsdale, Arizona.[2]