Ex-Pirates slugger Frank Thomas, who starred for hometown team in 1950s, dies at 93

Frank Thomas got to live a childhood dream as a Pittsburgh native who became a three-time All-Star slugger for the Pirates in the 1950s before being traded for a trio of players who helped win the 1960 World Series.

One of the Pirates’ most popular players, Thomas hit 163 home runs in eight seasons for his hometown team from 1951-58 despite playing at cavernous Forbes Field.

“Every boy has the desire to play in the major leagues, and I got to play in my hometown,” Thomas once told Sports Illustrated. “I had the best of both worlds. After I got traded, I would come back and get standing ovations.”

Thomas, who attended seminary at Mount Carmel College in Niagara Falls, Ontario, chose baseball over becoming a Roman Catholic priest. Called a “proud family man and a man of great faith,” Thomas and his late wife, Dolores, had eight children and were involved actively in charitable work in his hometown.

Thomas died Monday at age 93.

“Frank was proud to call the city of Pittsburgh home not only as a member of the Pirates but also as a person who spent his entire life here,” Pirates president Travis Williams said in a statement. “He was also a proud family man who was always involved with our alumni association events.”

We are saddened to confirm the passing of former Pirates great Frank Thomas.

Frank was a lifelong Pittsburgher who spent his first eight seasons with his hometown team. We send our condolences to the Thomas family at this time. pic.twitter.com/AuQIkx5POY

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) January 16, 2023

A member of the Pirates Alumni Association for more than three decades, Thomas was involved in Camp Happy Days-Kids Kickin’ Cancer, Courageous Kidz and the Millvale Meals On Wheels. After retiring from baseball, he worked 18 years as a recruiter for the ICM School of Business, promoting the power of education.

At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Thomas was bigger than most players of his time and was nicknamed “The Big Donkey.” He signed with the Pirates for $3,000 as an 18-year-old in 1947 and made his major-league debut in 1951, playing 39 games that season and six the next.

To learn more about former @Pirates All-Star, Frank Thomas, who passed away at the age of 93 today, read his @SABRbioproject
article here: ????⚾️????⚾️????https://t.co/GOXeW8YgSL pic.twitter.com/bylSiRHdh0

— Scott Chamberlain (@TheBuccosFan) January 16, 2023

A third baseman who also played left field and first base, Thomas was a right-handed pull hitter who made his mark by hitting 30 home runs and 102 RBIs in 1953.

His first full season coincided with Pirates general manager Branch Rickey trading Hall of Fame slugger Ralph Kiner to the Chicago Cubs that June.

Thomas didn’t hit 30 homers again until 1958, when his 35 finished second to Willie Mays. The moves of the Dodgers to Los Angeles and Giants to San Francisco to smaller ballparks helped his cause. Thomas appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated on July 28, 1958, and in a story titled, “The Unknown Home Run Hitter,” blamed Forbes Field’s dimensions for not hitting more balls out of the park.

“I don’t want to sound like I’m popping off,” Thomas told Sports Illustrated in his typical candor, “but I know that if I could play 77 games, a home-park schedule, in the Coliseum, I could break Ruth’s record of 60 home runs.”

Thomas led the Pirates in home runs five times and RBIs four times, hitting at least 25 homers in four seasons and 100-plus RBIs twice. Before the 1959 season, Thomas was the centerpiece of a trade, along with Whammy Douglas, Jim Pendleton and John Powers, with the Cincinnati Reds to acquire catcher Smoky Burgess, pitcher Harvey Haddix and third baseman Don Hoak. All three played starting roles in leading the Pirates to the 1960 World Series championship.

Thomas played for the Reds, Cubs, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros before retiring in 1966. He finished his career with a .266 batting average, 262 doubles, 286 home runs and 962 RBIs in 1,766 games over 16 major-league seasons.

During the MLB All-Star Game festivities at Three Rivers Stadium in 1994, Thomas started in left field in the Heroes of Baseball game alongside Pirates alums Omar Moreno, Jose Pagan, Bill Madlock, Gene Alley, Rennie Stennett, Al Oliver, Manny Sanguillen Sangy and Dock Ellis.

Remembering the 1994 Heroes of Baseball Game at Three Rivers Stdm ???? for MLB All-Star ⭐️ festivities in #Pittsburgh!#Pirates alumni start for the NL: Frank Thomas, Moreno, Pagan, Madlock, Alley, Stennett, Oliver, Sangy, & Dock!#LetsGoBucspic.twitter.com/lPb6RaM0gs https://t.co/PnQIAZmD7I

— 1986-92 Pittsburgh Pirates (@1992Pirates) January 10, 2023

A beloved as a member of the Mets’ expansion team in 1962, when he hit 34 homers and had 94 RBIs, Thomas attended the Mets’ Old Timers Day game while in a wheelchair last Aug. 27 and joked that he planned to take batting practice: “I hit homers at the Polo Grounds and at Shea. I would love to hit one at Citi Field.”

So sad to hear of the passing of original Met Frank Thomas, age 93. He was a very interesting, kind hearted man who was a seminary student before turning to baseball. He hit 34 homers in 1962, a Met record which stood until 1975. Hope you enjoy this. RIP. https://t.co/h9qV9xZxHz

— Howie Rose (@HowieRose) January 16, 2023

“I’m so thankful that my dad was able to go to Old Timers’ Day,” Thomas’ daughter, Maryanne Pacconi told MLB.com. “It meant the world to him to see his old teammates. I was thrilled with how the fans greeted him. I was so happy to see him in uniform again. We will treasure those memories forever.”

Preceded in death by his wife, Dolores, and daughter, Sharon, Thomas is survived by his children — Joanne Harrison, Patty Cain, Frankie Thomas, Peter Thomas, Maryanne Pacconi, Paul Thomas and Mark Thomas — 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.