# Jocko Thompson

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{{Short description|American baseball player (1917–1988)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
| name       = Jocko Thompson
| image      = Jocko Thompson.jpg
| alt        = A middle-aged man in a white pinstriped baseball uniform looks into the camera while facing to the left side. He is wearing a baseball cap with a white "P" on the front, and his jersey reads "Phillies" across the chest.
| caption    = Thompson, pictured during his Phillies tenure
| position   = [Pitcher](/source/Pitcher)
| birth_date  = {{birth date|1917|01|17}}
| birth_place = [Beverly, Massachusetts](/source/Beverly%2C_Massachusetts), U.S.
| death_date  = {{death date and age|1988|02|03|1917|01|17|mf=y}}
| death_place = [Olney, Maryland](/source/Olney%2C_Maryland), U.S.
| bats       = Left
| throws     = Left
|debutleague = MLB
| debutdate  = September 21
| debutyear  = 1948
| debutteam  = Philadelphia Phillies
|finalleague = MLB
| finaldate  = September 16
| finalyear  = 1951
| finalteam  = Philadelphia Phillies
|statleague = MLB
| stat1label = [Win–loss record](/source/Win%E2%80%93loss_record_(pitching))
| stat1value = 6–11
| stat2label = [Earned run average](/source/Earned_run_average)
| stat2value = 4.24
| stat3label = [Strikeout](/source/Strikeout)s
| stat3value = 81
| teams      = 
*[Philadelphia Phillies](/source/Philadelphia_Phillies) ({{mlby|1948}}–{{mlby|1951}})
}}
'''John Samuel''' "'''Jocko'''" '''Thompson''' (January 17, 1917 – February 3, 1988) was a professional [baseball](/source/baseball) [pitcher](/source/pitcher). He played all or part of four seasons for the [Philadelphia Phillies](/source/Philadelphia_Phillies) of [Major League Baseball](/source/Major_League_Baseball) from 1948 to 1951. He also served in the [Army of the United States](/source/Army_of_the_United_States) as a [first lieutenant](/source/first_lieutenant) in the [European theater](/source/European_Theatre_of_World_War_II) during World War II. Thompson played in Major League Baseball during the [Whiz Kids](/source/Whiz_Kids_(baseball)) era during a career which spanned 12 seasons (1940–1941, 1946–1955). After attending [Northeastern University](/source/Northeastern_University), Thompson appeared as a [situational pitcher](/source/Pitcher) and [spot starter](/source/spot_starter) during the 1948, 1949, and 1950 seasons with the Phillies, and went 4–8 in his only season as a regular member of the team's [starting rotation](/source/starting_rotation). After demotion to the minors in 1952, Thompson retired from baseball after the 1955 season.<ref name="brefminors"/>

Before his major league career, Thompson entered the military and participated in [Operation Market Garden](/source/Operation_Market_Garden), where he led a platoon to secure a bridge over the [Maas River](/source/Meuse_(river)). He served in the Army from 1941 to 1945. In 2004, the bridge that his platoon captured was renamed in his honor.<ref name="BIW"/>

==Early career==
Described as a "[fast ball](/source/Fastball) specialist",<ref>{{cite journal|last=Richman|first=Milton|date=February 1951|title=War, Weather Cloud 1951 Outlook|journal=Baseball Digest|publisher=Lakeside|volume=10|issue=2|page=27|issn=0005-609X|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NS4DAAAAMBAJ&q=jocko+thompson&pg=PA27}}</ref> Thompson played three seasons for the baseball team at [Northeastern University](/source/Northeastern_University), one of six [Major League Baseball](/source/Major_League_Baseball) players to attend the school.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/schools/neastern.shtml|title=Northeastern University Huskies (Boston, MA)|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 18, 2010}}</ref> During his tenure (1938–1940), the Huskies [won](/source/Win_(baseball)) 31 games and [lost](/source/Loss_(baseball)) 14, accumulating a .689 [winning percentage](/source/winning_percentage).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gonu.com/sports/2010/3/25/BB_0325104127.aspx?id=379|title=Baseball All-Time Results|publisher=Northeastern University Athletic Department|access-date=March 18, 2010}}</ref> After the 1940 college season, Thompson was signed by [Major League Baseball](/source/Major_League_Baseball)'s [Boston Red Sox](/source/Boston_Red_Sox) as an amateur [free agent](/source/free_agent).<ref name="bref">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/thompjo01.shtml|title=Jocko Thompson Statistics & History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 18, 2010}}</ref> The Red Sox assigned Thompson to their [D-level affiliate](/source/Class_D_(baseball)), the [Centreville Red Sox](/source/Centreville_Red_Sox), where he posted an 18–5 record and a 1.56 [earned run average](/source/earned_run_average) (ERA) in 27 games.<ref name="brefminors">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=thomps010joh|title=Jocko Thompson Minor League Statistics & History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 18, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=14071|title=1940 Centreville Red Sox|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 18, 2010}}</ref> He also played in seven games for the [Canton Terriers](/source/Canton_Terriers), winning one and losing one and compiling a 3.41 ERA.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=13799|title=1940 Canton Terriers|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 18, 2010}}</ref> Under manager [Heinie Manush](/source/Heinie_Manush), Thompson played for the [Greensboro Red Sox](/source/Greensboro_Red_Sox) in the [Piedmont League](/source/Piedmont_League) during the 1941 season; he amassed an 8–13 record and a 3.56 ERA in 162 [innings pitched](/source/innings_pitched).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=19213|title=1941 Greensboro Red Sox|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 18, 2010}}</ref>

==Military service==
{{Multiple image|direction=vertical|align=right|width=120|image1=Bronze Star Medal ribbon.svg|alt1=A horizontal red bar ribbon charged with vertical white bars on the left and right ends and with a blue bar bordered with white in the center|link1=Bronze Star Medal|image2=Silver Star Medal ribbon.svg|alt2=A horizontal blue bar ribbon charged with two thin white bars off of the left and right ends and three equal-width bars in the center (red in the center surrounded by white on either side)|link2=Silver Star|image3=Purple Heart ribbon.svg|alt3=A horizontal purple bar ribbon charged with vertical white bars on the left and right ends|link3=Purple Heart|footer=Thompson's awards from the U.S. Army included ''(from top)'' the [Bronze Star](/source/Bronze_Star), [Silver Star](/source/Silver_Star), and [Purple Heart](/source/Purple_Heart).}}
Thompson entered the [Army of the United States](/source/Army_of_the_United_States) in 1941 and was assigned to the [504th Parachute Infantry Regiment](/source/504th_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States)), a part of the [82nd Airborne Division](/source/82nd_Airborne_Division).<ref name="BIW">{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballinwartime.com/player_biographies/thompson_jocko.htm|title=Baseball in Wartime – Jocko Thompson|first=Gary|last=Bedingfield|date=February 10, 2007|publisher=Baseball in Wartime|access-date=March 16, 2010}}</ref> In 1944, as a [first lieutenant](/source/Lieutenant), Thompson led his men during an air raid as part of [Operation Market Garden](/source/Operation_Market_Garden) in the [German-occupied Netherlands](/source/Netherlands_in_World_War_II). The light in the jump bay of the platoon's [C-47 Skytrain](/source/C-47_Skytrain) was later than expected, moving their [landing zone](/source/landing_zone) from its intended location near [Grave, Netherlands](/source/Grave%2C_Netherlands); the plane was passing over buildings when the [paratrooper](/source/paratrooper)s were signalled to leave the aircraft, and Thompson decided to wait until reaching several approaching fields.<ref name="Ryan239">Ryan, p. 239.</ref>

Thompson led his platoon in an attack against the nearby bridge spanning the [Maas River](/source/Meuse_(river)), which was defended by German forces supplemented by two 20&nbsp;mm [flak gun](/source/flak_gun)s, one on the close side of the bridge and one across the river. The platoon opened fire on the German forces, killing four.<ref name="Ryan239"/> Two trucks of German soldiers arrived on the scene, but they "showed no desire to fight&nbsp;... [and] ran away".<ref name="Ryan240">Ryan, p. 240.</ref> Thompson's platoon destroyed "electrical equipment and cables that they expected were hooked up to demolitions",<ref name="Ryan240"/> and their [bazooka](/source/bazooka) operator destroyed the nearer flak gun, permitting the establishment of a roadblock on the bridge while waiting for the remainder of the 82nd Airborne.<ref name="BIW"/> After the battle at the Maas bridge, Thompson also participated in the [Battle of the Bulge](/source/Battle_of_the_Bulge), where he was given a [field commission](/source/field_commission),<ref name="Roberts200">Roberts, p. 200.</ref> and during the [Allied occupation of Berlin](/source/Allied-occupied_Germany), where he served as an aide to General [James M. Gavin](/source/James_M._Gavin).<ref name="BIW"/>

Thompson was wounded twice during the war, for which he received two [Purple Heart](/source/Purple_Heart)s;<ref name="BIW"/> fellow pitcher [Robin Roberts](/source/Robin_Roberts_(baseball)) later wrote that his Phillies teammates "understood that Jocko still carried around a considerable amount of [shrapnel](/source/Fragmentation_(weaponry)) in his body".<ref name="Roberts200"/> Other decorations included the [Bronze Star](/source/Bronze_Star) with cluster, the [Silver Star](/source/Silver_Star),<ref name="BIW"/> and various awards from the Belgian, French, and Dutch governments.<ref name="Roberts200"/>

==Return to baseball==
Thompson returned to baseball with the [Scranton Red Sox](/source/Scranton_Red_Sox) of the [Eastern League](/source/Eastern_League_(1938%E2%80%932020)) for the 1946 season.<ref name="brefminors"/> He was second on the team in innings pitched (180) and finished with a 13–7 record in 26 games (20 starts). For the season, Thompson allowed 164 [hits](/source/hit_(baseball))—the most on the team—and 97 [walks](/source/Base_on_balls).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=32589|title=1946 Scranton Red Sox|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 21, 2010}}</ref> The following year, he was promoted to the [Toronto Maple Leafs](/source/Toronto_Maple_Leafs_(International_League)), one of Boston's two [Triple-A](/source/Triple-A_(baseball))-level affiliates. After he posted a 6–12 record—the team's worst mark among starters with 30 or more appearances<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=35450|title=1947 Toronto Maple Leafs|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 21, 2010}}</ref>—the Red Sox did not retain Thompson's rights when their [working agreement](/source/Minor_League_Baseball) with the Maple Leafs ended. He remained with Toronto and his rights became the property of the [Philadelphia Phillies](/source/Philadelphia_Phillies) when those two teams established a new agreement.<ref name="bref"/>

[[File:Jim Konstanty.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Thompson and [Jim Konstanty](/source/Jim_Konstanty) were called up to the major league club together.|alt=A black-and-white photograph of a man with glasses wearing a dark baseball cap and pinstriped baseball uniform with "Phillies" in script across the chest]]
In 1948, Thompson went 12–8 for the Maple Leafs, the second-best win–loss record among the team's regular starting pitchers (20 or more starts). He was third on the team with 161 innings pitched, allowed the most earned runs (91), and posted a 5.09 ERA.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=35451|title=1948 Toronto Maple Leafs|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 21, 2010}}</ref> At the end of the season, manager [Eddie Sawyer](/source/Eddie_Sawyer) called Thompson and [Jim Konstanty](/source/Jim_Konstanty) up to the major league level. As per the working agreement between the teams, the major league club paid Toronto for the rights to each Maple Leafs player it called up: $25,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|25000|1948|r=-3}}}} in current terms) for the first player, and $5,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|5000|1948|r=-3}}}} currently) for each player thereafter.<ref name="Roberts140">Roberts, p. 140.</ref> Sawyer recalled that [Pete Campbell](/source/Pete_Campbell_(baseball)), Toronto's owner, and Konstanty "didn't get along... [because] they were both the same".<ref name="Roberts140"/> Although Campbell was "glad to get rid of Konstanty", he told Sawyer to take Thompson as the $25,000 player because he did not want Konstanty to think he was worth the larger fee.<ref name="Roberts140"/>

==Major league career==

===1948–1949===
Thompson made his major league debut in the second game of a doubleheader on September 21, 1948. He pitched a [complete game](/source/complete_game) against the [Cincinnati Reds](/source/Cincinnati_Reds), allowing one run on five hits, striking out five, and walking five batters to collect the first win of his major league career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1948/B09212PHI1948.htm|title=Philadelphia Phillies 6, Cincinnati Reds 1 (2)|date=September 21, 1948|publisher=Retrosheet, Inc|access-date=March 21, 2010}}</ref> He appeared in one other game during the 1948 season,<ref name="bref"/> pitching four innings in the second game of a doubleheader against the [New York Giants](/source/New_York_Giants_(NL)) on September 28, allowing three runs in a 6–3 Philadelphia victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1948/B09282NY11948.htm|title=Philadelphia Phillies 6, New York Giants 3 (2)|date=September 28, 1948|publisher=Retrosheet, Inc|access-date=March 21, 2010}}</ref> Thompson wore the [uniform number](/source/uniform_number) 9 during his [brief call-up](/source/Cup_of_coffee_(sports_idiom)).<ref name="bref"/>

Thompson began the 1949 season in the Phillies' starting rotation with Roberts, [Ken Heintzelman](/source/Ken_Heintzelman), [Russ Meyer](/source/Russ_Meyer_(baseball)), and [Curt Simmons](/source/Curt_Simmons), and the Phillies "hoped for contributions" from him and some of his teammates, like [Schoolboy Rowe](/source/Schoolboy_Rowe) and [Blix Donnelly](/source/Blix_Donnelly).<ref>Roberts, p. 172.</ref> However, Thompson lost his first two starts, both against the [Boston Braves](/source/Boston_Braves_(baseball)).<ref name="1949RS">{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1949/VPHI01949.htm|title=The 1949 Philadelphia Phillies Regular Season Game Log|publisher=Retrosheet, Inc|access-date=March 24, 2010}}</ref> He was sent down to Toronto, amassing a 14–5 record there for the 1949 season,<ref name="1949TOR">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=35452|title=1949 Toronto Maple Leafs|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 24, 2010}}</ref> and was later described as the team's "top pitcher" for that year.<ref name="toppitcher">{{cite book|last=Bjarkman|first=Peter C.|title=Diamonds around the globe: the encyclopedia of international baseball|publisher=Greenwood|year=2005|page=110|isbn=0-313-32268-6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ASSUFP8rxhMC&q=jocko+thompson&pg=PA110}}</ref> His 2.73 ERA was second on the team to right-handed starter [Bubba Church](/source/Bubba_Church); Thompson allowed 44 [earned run](/source/earned_run)s in 145 innings.<ref name="1949TOR"/> He made a spot start in midseason for the Phillies against the [Brooklyn Dodgers](/source/Brooklyn_Dodgers), but the Phillies lost 8–4. Thompson did not get his first win in the majors that year until September 19, when he defeated the [St. Louis Cardinals](/source/St._Louis_Cardinals) behind [Howie Pollet](/source/Howie_Pollet), 4–3. He made his final start of the season for the Phillies on September 24, against [Don Newcombe](/source/Don_Newcombe) and the Dodgers; the Phillies lost, 8–1.<ref name="1949RS"/> Thompson finished 1949 with a 1–3 record at the major league level, with a career-high ERA of 6.89, 12 strikeouts and 11 walks in {{frac|31|1|3}} innings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1949.shtml|title=1949 Philadelphia Phillies Batting, Pitching, & Fielding Statistics|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 24, 2010}}</ref> For his 1949 appearance, Thompson's uniform number was 37.<ref name="bref"/>

===1950–1951===
{{see also|Whiz Kids (baseball)}}
Although Thompson was expected to contribute during the 1950 Phillies season and the [Whiz Kids'](/source/Whiz_Kids_(baseball)) "improbable"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sj-r.com/sports/x665152566/Robin-Roberts-remembers-Phillies-vs-Yankees-1950|title=Roberts remembers Phillies vs. Yankees, 1950 |last=Ruppert|first=Jim|date=October 27, 2009|work=State Journal-Register|access-date=April 12, 2010|location=Springfield, Illinois}}</ref> run to the pennant,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UnUfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CCQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4296,2254420&dq=jocko+thompson&hl=en|title=Seven Bonus Players Hold Key To Phillies' Chances This Year|date=April 5, 1950|work=Milwaukee Journal|page=11|agency=Associates Press|access-date=March 26, 2010|archive-date=November 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126004347/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UnUfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CCQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4296,2254420&dq=jocko+thompson&hl=en|url-status=dead}}</ref> he spent most of the season with Toronto. On June 8, he defeated the [Jersey City Giants](/source/Jersey_City_Giants), 5–3, turning in a four-hit performance and striking out 11 batters.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wS8rAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZZkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6927,5488073&dq=jocko+thompson&hl=en|title=Royals Sweep Twin Bill From Baltimore, 11–5, 10–4|date=June 8, 1950|work=Montreal Gazette|page=18|agency=Associated Press|access-date=March 26, 2010}}</ref> He also took a late-game loss in a doubleheader against the [Baltimore Orioles](/source/Baltimore_Orioles_(minor_league)), as they staged a five-run rally in the ninth inning to defeat Toronto.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8IEtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=U5kFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6941,7740289&dq=jocko+thompson&hl=en|title=Royals Defeat J. C. Giants, 3–1, Behind Lown's Hurling|date=August 15, 1950|work=Montreal Gazette|page=16|agency=Associated Press|access-date=March 26, 2010}}</ref> Again described as the team's top pitcher,<ref name="toppitcher"/> he amassed 10 wins and 14 losses, a 4.57 ERA, and led the team with 201 innings pitched. As a batter, Thompson hit two [doubles](/source/double_(baseball)), two [triples](/source/triple_(baseball)), and [batted in](/source/Run_batted_in) nine runs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=35453|title=1950 Toronto Maple Leafs|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 26, 2010}}</ref> He was called up late in the season to reinforce a team that Roberts described as "depleted";<ref name="Roberts294">Roberts, p. 294.</ref> within one week's time, the Phillies had lost Church to injury, Simmons to military service,<ref name="Roberts294"/> and [Bob Miller](/source/Bob_Miller_(baseball%2C_born_1926)) to a recurring back injury.<ref>Roberts, p. 228.</ref> Thompson appeared in relief of Church after his return on September 15, but the Phillies lost, 5–0, due in part to a [Bobby Thomson](/source/Bobby_Thomson) inside-the-park [grand slam](/source/grand_slam_(baseball)).<ref>Roberts, p. 303.</ref> In his 1950 major league appearances, he played in two games, pitching four innings and allowing one run.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1950.shtml|title=1950 Philadelphia Phillies Batting, Pitching, & Fielding Statistics|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 26, 2010}}</ref> Although Thompson was on the playoff roster,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=krQ0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=UWgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=896,240372&dq=jocko+thompson&hl=en|title=Eddie Sawyer Names Jim Konstanty To Face Yankees In Opening World Series Game|last=Talbot|first=Gayle|date=October 4, 1950|work=The Lewiston Daily News|page=11|access-date=March 26, 2010}}</ref> he made no postseason appearances with the team. His uniform number for the rest of his Phillies career was 33.<ref name="bref"/>

1951 was Thompson's only full season as a regular in the major leagues, when he beat out Leo Cristante in spring training to make the team.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=96c0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=TGgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=985,343363&dq=jocko+thompson&hl=en|title=Eddie Sawyer Up To Old Tricks; Pilot Picks Champion Phils for Runner-Up Spot|last=Reichler Joe|first=Joe|date=April 5, 1951|work=The Lewiston Daily news|page=12|access-date=March 26, 2010}}</ref> During the preseason, he and [Ken Johnson](/source/Ken_Johnson_(left-handed_pitcher)) combined for a 1–0 shutout of the Cardinals.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AYIlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3fQFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3016,1951064&dq=jocko+thompson&hl=en|title=Training Camp Briefs|date=March 24, 1951|work=Gettysburg Times|agency=Associated Press|access-date=March 26, 2010}}</ref> In the regular season, Thompson amassed a 4–8 record in 14 starts. He made a total of 29 appearances on the season, notching a 3.85 ERA. He won his first game of the year against the [New York Giants](/source/New_York_Giants_(NL)), 8–4, on April 23; it was the Giants' fifth straight loss.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=q3wbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=eE0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=4702,3633763&dq=jocko+thompson&hl=en|title=Surprise Pitchers Boost Dodgers|date=April 24, 1951|work=The Pittsburgh Press|pages=33|agency=United Press|access-date=March 26, 2010}}</ref> His first loss of the season came in April in the first game of a doubleheader against the Braves, losing 1–0 though he held the Braves to two hits.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FZYtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oZ8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1205,1702927&dq=jocko+thompson&hl=en|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714200903/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FZYtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oZ8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1205,1702927&dq=jocko+thompson&hl=en|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 14, 2012|title=Bewildered Giants Drop 11th Straight Game|last=Reichler|first=Joe|date=April 27, 1951|work=The Rock Hill Herald|page=8|access-date=March 26, 2010}}</ref> At the plate, Thompson [batted](/source/Batting_average_(baseball)) .103 with one double and one triple, the latter of which came on June 2 in a 7–3 defeat of St. Louis.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NZ4yAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sekFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5027,615615&dq=jocko+thompson&hl=en|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717234429/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NZ4yAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sekFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5027,615615&dq=jocko+thompson&hl=en|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 17, 2012|title=Browns' Garver May Start Price War|last=Hand|first=Jack|date=June 2, 1951|work=The Miami News|page=2-B|access-date=March 26, 2010}}</ref> The Phillies and the Reds split a doubleheader in July, with Thompson earning the victory in the [nightcap](/source/List_of_baseball_jargon_(N)); the Phillies won, 10–0.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KqApAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BOYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5247,5597491&dq=jocko+thompson&hl=en|title=Brooklyn Bows To Upstart Bucs|date=July 18, 1951|work=The Spokesman-Review|page=18|agency=Associated Press|access-date=March 26, 2010}}</ref> In August, Thompson entered in [relief](/source/Relief_pitcher) in the first inning of a game against the [Pittsburgh Pirates](/source/Pittsburgh_Pirates) after [Russ Meyer](/source/Russ_Meyer_(baseball)) was knocked out of the contest, staging a "respectable duel" with [Mel Queen](/source/Mel_Queen_(pitcher)) to the eighth inning in a 12–7 Phillies victory;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mUgbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gU0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6124,2117096&dq=jocko+thompson&hl=en|title=Ralph Blasts Three To Tie Hodges at 31 As Bucs Lose Two|last=Biederman|first=Lester J.|date=August 6, 1951|work=The Pittsburgh Press|page=19|access-date=March 26, 2010}}</ref> later in the month, he shut out the Reds on three hits to complete a series sweep by the Phillies.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TiAhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=s2QEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6120,6257538&dq=jocko+thompson&hl=en|title=Hot-Shot Giants Take 16th, Soar Within 5 Games of 1st|date=August 28, 1951|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|page=10|agency=Associated Press|access-date=March 26, 2010}}</ref> Thompson also defeated St. Louis late in the pennant race when the Cardinals were battling the Dodgers for the top position in the league.<ref>Roberts, p. 298.</ref>

==After the majors==
[[File:2006-05-17 13.37 Grave, brug over de Maas.JPG|thumb|right|[John S. Thompson Bridge](/source/John_S._Thompsonbrug) over the [Maas River](/source/Meuse_(river)) in [Grave, Netherlands](/source/Grave%2C_Netherlands)|alt=A steel bridge with red inner supports spans a dry canal and a river; the bridge is fronted by a road seen in the front of the image.]]

===Minor leagues===
Thompson returned to the minor leagues for the 1952 season, playing for the Baltimore Orioles, now affiliated with Philadelphia. He led the Orioles in innings pitched (231) and strikeouts (119) as he compiled a 13–14 record and a 2.49 ERA, third-best on the team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=11612|title=1952 Baltimore Orioles|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 22, 2010}}</ref> After the season, he played winter baseball in [Havana](/source/Havana), [Cuba](/source/Cuba), pitching {{frac|14|1|3}} innings in 5 games.<ref>{{cite book|last=Figueredo|first=Jorge S.|title=Cuban baseball: a statistical history, 1878–1961|publisher=McFarland|year=2003|pages=362–368|isbn=0-7864-1250-X|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4ZifOsJ0-C0C&q=jocko+thompson&pg=PA368}}</ref> Thompson's .714 [winning percentage](/source/winning_percentage) (ten wins and four losses) was best on the 1953 Orioles among pitchers who made 20 or more starts, and he pitched seven complete games. His 1953 ERA was 3.80, and he allowed 16 home runs in 154 innings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=11613|title=1953 Baltimore Orioles|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 22, 2010}}</ref> When the minor league Orioles moved to [Richmond, Virginia](/source/Richmond%2C_Virginia), to make room for the transplanted [St. Louis Browns](/source/St._Louis_Browns) of the [American League](/source/American_League), Thompson left the Phillies' system and remained with the old franchise, the unaffiliated [Richmond Virginians](/source/Richmond_Virginians), who began play in the 1954 season.<ref>{{cite book|last=Pomfrey|first=Ron|title=Baseball in Richmond|publisher=Arcadia|year=2008|page=50|isbn=978-0-7385-5395-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q_M_H0bg6tQC&q=jocko+thompson&pg=PA50}}</ref>

Thompson posted an 8–14 record for the Virginians in 1954; his ERA totaled 5.00 in 29 starts and he placed third on the team in innings pitched (198). His 112 strikeouts led Richmond, as did his 232 hits allowed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=30671|title=1954 Richmond Virginians|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 23, 2010}}</ref> After a 6–16 season and a 5.17 ERA in 1955,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=30672|title=1955 Richmond Virginians|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 23, 2010}}</ref> Thompson retired from baseball.

===Post-baseball===
After his playing days ended, Thompson worked as a sales manager in Maryland.<ref name="Roberts357">Roberts, p. 357.</ref> He died at age 71 on February 3, 1988,<ref name="Roberts357"/> and was interred at the [Gate of Heaven Cemetery](/source/Gate_of_Heaven_Cemetery_(Baltimore)) in [Silver Spring, Maryland](/source/Silver_Spring%2C_Maryland).<ref name="bref"/> In 2004, the bridge over the Maas River which Thompson's platoon secured 60 years earlier was renamed the ''John S. Thompsonbrug'' ("[John S. Thompson Bridge](/source/John_S._Thompsonbrug)"). Many veterans of World War II, as well as Thompson's wife, attended the ceremony.<ref name="BIW"/>

==References==
;Inline citations
{{reflist|2}}

;Bibliography
*{{cite book|last=Roberts|first=Robin|author2=Paul Rogers |title=The Whiz Kids and the 1950 Pennant|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wqe_nTq6fZwC|publisher=Temple University Press|location=Philadelphia|year=1996|isbn=1-56639-466-X}}
*{{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Cornelius|title=A Bridge Too Far|publisher=Simon & Schuster|year=1995|isbn=0-684-80330-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yHVefm8f3xQC&q=lieutenant+john+s.+thompson+bridge&pg=PA239}}

==External links==
{{baseballstats|mlb=123293|br=t/thompjo01|brm=thomps010joh}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20071013090431/http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/phi/history/timeline07.jsp Phillies Timeline (1950s)] at [MLB.com](/source/MLB.com)

{{Good article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thompson, Jocko}}
Category:1917 births
Category:1988 deaths
Category:American expatriate baseball players in Canada
Category:United States Army personnel of World War II
Category:Baseball players from Worcester County, Massachusetts
Category:Canton Terriers players
Category:Centreville Red Sox players
Category:Greensboro Red Sox players
Category:Major League Baseball pitchers
Category:Northeastern Huskies baseball players
Category:Northeastern University alumni
Category:People from Milford, Massachusetts
Category:Philadelphia Phillies players
Category:Recipients of the Silver Star
Category:Richmond Virginians (minor league) players
Category:Scranton Red Sox players
Category:Sportspeople from Beverly, Massachusetts
Category:Baseball players from Essex County, Massachusetts
Category:Toronto Maple Leafs (International League) players
Category:United States Army officers
Category:Military personnel from Massachusetts
Category:20th-century American sportsmen

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jocko Thompson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jocko_Thompson) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jocko_Thompson?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.