Bobby Thomson passes away,Indians draft talk

Bobby Thomson, the hero of the 1951 "Shot heard around the world" passed away yesterday at the age of 86, Thomson's homer off Ralph Branca to lift the Giants to the National League pennant over the Brooklyn Dodgers remains the top moment in baseball history, rivaled only by the Bill Mazeroski homer off Ralph Terry to win the 1960 World Series for Pittsburgh.

 Thomson spent his career with the Giants, and Milwaukee Braves before some career-ending cameos with the Cubs, Orioles, and Red Sox. Eight times, Thomson hit 20 home runs or more back when 20 homers meant something with a career-high of 32 with those previously noted 51 Giants and knocked in over 100 RBI on four occasions. 

Thomson also made way for two future Hall of Famers as Willie Mays forced Thomson to move from center field to third base and his broken ankle in 1954 after the Giants traded him to the Braves allowed Hank Aaron to get his major league career started.

 When you read books on baseball in the 50s (which Thomson is often a crucial part of) or the various specials on the "shot", one thing that always comes through is what a nice guy that Bobby Thomson seemed like.

One final note, When I wrote former players for autographs over the winter, Bobby Thomson was in the first batch of stuff that I sent out. I didn't know that he was in poor health, but I did know he was getting up there in years, so I wasn't sure if I would get a response or not. Thomson was the first player that returned to me with three very nice, sharp signatures. 

Our condolences to the Thomson family... 

Just a thought, I know Bobby Thomson never played for the San Francisco Giants, but he is such a huge part of the Giants' legacy that maybe the Giants could do something special for Thomson. The San Francisco Giants would not exist if there were no New York Giants first. 

 Another quick Thomson story. When I was a kid, my aunt gave me a bunch of old Red Man chewing tobacco cards from my later great-grandfather. I still have them today, but the funny thing is that I suspect that he or someone must have been a Brooklyn Dodgers fan.

Why? Two cards are crumpled badly and with wrinkles all through them-both New York Giants, Hoyt Wilhelm, and yes, Bobby Thomson.

 I sometimes like to imagine where the Thomson card was on that day in 1951, Did my great-grandfather or someone else just destroy that card after hearing the ball disappear over the Polo Grounds wall over one of the many radio networks carrying the game? 

Always makes me smile wondering about that. Well, considering the card came out in 1952 that wasn't the case, but someone sure still had some hard feelings toward Thomson and the Giants! I suppose I'll never know the true answer...

 And yes,I have the complete radio broadcast of that game and enjoy listening to it to this day... For more on the classic Red Man baseball card sets, check out RedManCards.com. The memories are well worth your time.....

 The Cleveland Indians made a late push with their draft picks and signed their first three picks at the deadline after adding their fourth-rounder earlier in the day. Fourth-rounder Kyle Blair left the University of San Diego for the Indians offer of 580,000. Blair will report to Mahoning Valley.

 Just before the deadline, the Tribe signed first-round pitcher Drew Pomerantz for a bonus of 2.65 million, second-round outfielder LeVon Washington for 1.2 million, and third-round shortstop Tony Wolters for 1.3 million. 

Pomerantz, the 6'5 lefty thrower from Ole Miss, will likely take the same career path as last year's top pick Alex White with a start at High A Kinston and hopefully moving to AA Akron mid-season.

Washington, a Florida JUCO outfielder will likely start next season at Low A Lake County, while Wolters, a California high school shortstop could start at Lake County, although staying in Arizona next spring and waiting until Mahoning Valley gets underway is a possibility as well. 

I like what the Indians attempted to do here, especially with Wolters, who had committed to San Diego and was willing to go to college, if the money wasn't right.

 I liked Pomerantz to go to the Indians fifth overall but would have been furious with the Pirates picking him at two, so that seems about right. The jury is still out on Washington, who signed for more with the Indians than he turned down from Tampa as their top pick in 2009 as scouts say that he has lost some speed over the last year, which had been a plus feature..... 

 Photo Credit-Red Man Cards.com