pinstripealley
Today's birthday tribute focuses on a relatively obscure Yankee, Gary Thomasson. The name may not be widely recognized, as Thomasson's tenure in the Bronx lasted just half a season. That season, however, was 1978, when the Yankees famously overcame a 14.5-game deficit, defeated the Boston Red Sox in a one-game playoff, and went on to win the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Amidst those historic events, the arrival of a solid role player barely registered, but Thomasson nonetheless left with a championship ring.
Gary Leah Thomasson was born on July 29, 1951, in San Diego, California. As a toddler, his family relocated to Oceanside, California, where he attended Oceanside High School. After graduation, the San Francisco Giants selected him in the seventh round of the 1969 MLB Draft. He reached the majors in 1972, appearing in 10 games as a 21-year-old and recording nine hits in 27 at-bats. That brief audition, combined with a strong spring training, earned him a spot on the Opening Day roster in 1973. During his first full season, Thomasson played all three outfield positions and first base, slashing .285/.345/.413 in 112 games and earning a spot on the Topps All-Star Rookie Team.
Over the next four seasons, Thomasson continued to provide consistent, if unspectacular, production while moving around the diamond. His best season came in 1977, when he set career highs with 17 home runs, an .809 OPS, and 2.8 WAR. The Giants capitalized on that breakout by including him in a blockbuster trade to the Oakland Athletics before the 1978 season. The deal sent multiple players and $300,000 to Oakland in exchange for former MVP pitcher Vida Blue. Thomasson appeared in just 47 games for the Athletics before being traded again on June 15, 1978, to the Yankees for Dell Alston, Mickey Klutts, and $50,000. This marked the first time in his professional career that he played for an organization outside California.
Key Analysis
With the Yankees, Thomasson appeared in 54 games, playing all three outfield positions. In 130 plate appearances, he slashed .276/.346/.405 with a 114 OPS+ and three home runs, all within a three-day span in early July. He provided quality depth as the team chased down another championship. The Yankees defeated the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS and then the Dodgers in the World Series, capturing the franchise's 22nd title. Thomasson appeared in three World Series games, going 1-for-4, and earned the only championship ring of his career. He was in left field when Goose Gossage recorded the final out.
During the offseason, the Yankees traded Thomasson to the Dodgers for Brad Gulden. After two seasons in Los Angeles, the Dodgers sold his contract to the Yomiuri Giants in Japan. To lure him overseas, Yomiuri signed him to what was reportedly the richest contract in Nippon Professional Baseball history at the time: three years and $1.2 million. However, the investment did not pay off; Thomasson struggled at the plate, nearly setting the single-season strikeout record before losing his starting job. Oddly enough, his struggles created a legacy unrelated to baseball. Japanese artist Genpei Akasegawa coined the term 'Hyperart Thomasson,' using the outfielder's name to describe architectural objects that are maintained despite serving no practical purpose, such as a staircase leading to a brick wall. The phrase remains part of Japanese culture to this day. Thomasson may not have left much of a mark on Yankees history, but he certainly left one on Japanese culture. Happy 75th birthday, Gary!
Originally reported by pinstripealley.