Clete Thomas
Encyclopedia
Michael Clete Thomas is an American professional baseball
outfielder
with the Detroit Tigers
of Major League Baseball
.
and began his baseball career at Mosley High School in Lynn Haven, Florida
where he was a part of the state championship team in 2002.
Thomas attended Auburn University
, where he played right field and batted .328 on the 2005 team which lost to Florida State
in the NCAA regional tournament. Then finishing his junior year, Thomas entered the draft and was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the sixth round on June 8 and signed on June 21, 2005. Initially assigned to the Oneonta Tigers
in the New York-Penn League, Thomas was promoted to the West Michigan Whitecaps
on July 13, and proceeded to appear in 51 games, hitting .284.
Thomas spent the 2006 season with the Lakeland Tigers
, where he appeared in 132 games and hit .257 with 40 RBIs and 34 stolen base
s. In 2007 he was promoted to Erie
, where he hit .280 with 53 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. Thomas, along with fellow outfielder Matt Joyce
, was considered a likely future major leaguer. Commenting on the two, then-Tigers general manager
Dave Dombrowski
remarked that "We think they're both prospects...We're not counting on them for this year, but they've got a chance to play at the Triple-A level (this season), depending on how they do this spring."
, Thomas made the team after starting center fielder Curtis Granderson
broke a finger and went on the disabled list
. On Opening Day
, Thomas entered the game as a defensive replacement and made his first major league putout
against Joey Gathright
of the Kansas City Royals
. Thomas later hit a double in the bottom of the 11th inning off Royals closer Joakim Soria
for his first major league hit.
Thomas split time in the 2008 Major League Baseball season
between the Tigers and the AAA-affiliate Toledo Mud Hens
. On April 23, Thomas was optioned to the Tigers' AAA-affiliate Toledo Mud Hens
when Curtis Granderson
was activated from the disabled list
. Thomas was recalled from Toledo May 29 to replace struggling Matt Joyce
. On June 4, Thomas sprained his ankle and went on the disabled list. He was replaced by Brent Clevlen
. Thomas returned to the active roster on June 18, 2008.
On May 5, 2009, Thomas was called back up to the Detroit Tigers in a game against the Minnesota Twins
. In the game, Thomas went three for four with a single, double, and triple, making him a home run shy of hitting for the cycle. On June 7, 2009, against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Thomas hit a the first grand slam of his career off Angels reliever Jason Bulger to break a 5–5 eighth-inning tie.
On June 12, 2009, Detroit optioned Thomas back to Toledo and called up Don Kelly
. Said manager Jim Leyland
: "I think he has a shot to be an everyday player, but he has to shorten up his swing...he will be back."
On July 9, 2009, Thomas was recalled from Toledo, and Don Kelly was sent back to Toledo.
Thomas has two walk-off hits in 2009. On August 3, 2009, Thomas hit his first career walk-off home run
against Baltimore Orioles
pitcher Danys Báez
and on August 20, 2009, Thomas hit a walk-off single to beat the Seattle Mariners
7–6.
Thomas spent all of and at Triple-A after losing not making the Tigers roster. In 2010, Thomas played 21 games and hit .183 over that time. In 2011, he hit .251 with 12 home runs in 113 games.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Career
Thomas was born in Jacksonville, FloridaJacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
and began his baseball career at Mosley High School in Lynn Haven, Florida
Lynn Haven, Florida
Lynn Haven is a city in Bay County, Florida, United States, north of Panama City. The population was 18,493 at the 2010 census. It has the smaller population of the two principal cities of the Panama City, Florida - Lynn Haven, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population...
where he was a part of the state championship team in 2002.
Thomas attended Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
, where he played right field and batted .328 on the 2005 team which lost to Florida State
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
in the NCAA regional tournament. Then finishing his junior year, Thomas entered the draft and was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the sixth round on June 8 and signed on June 21, 2005. Initially assigned to the Oneonta Tigers
Oneonta Tigers
The Oneonta Tigers were a minor league baseball team located in Oneonta, New York. They were members of the New York - Penn League. The Tigers were the Short-Season A classification affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, and played their home games at Damaschke Field...
in the New York-Penn League, Thomas was promoted to the West Michigan Whitecaps
West Michigan Whitecaps
The West Michigan Whitecaps are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Detroit Tigers, that plays in the Midwest League. Their home games are played in Comstock Park, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids.-Franchise history:...
on July 13, and proceeded to appear in 51 games, hitting .284.
Thomas spent the 2006 season with the Lakeland Tigers
Lakeland Tigers
The Lakeland Flying Tigers are a minor league baseball team based in Lakeland, Florida.Home games are played at Joker Marchant Stadium; opened in 1966 and renovated in 2003. The park, which also doubles as the Detroit Tigers spring training home, seats 8,500 fans...
, where he appeared in 132 games and hit .257 with 40 RBIs and 34 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s. In 2007 he was promoted to Erie
Erie SeaWolves
The Erie SeaWolves are a minor league baseball team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball club....
, where he hit .280 with 53 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. Thomas, along with fellow outfielder Matt Joyce
Matt Joyce (baseball)
Matthew R. Joyce is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays.-Early life:Joyce began his career at North Brandon Little League in Brandon, Florida....
, was considered a likely future major leaguer. Commenting on the two, then-Tigers general manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
Dave Dombrowski
Dave Dombrowski
David Dombrowski is the current president, CEO, and general manager of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball.-Chicago White Sox:...
remarked that "We think they're both prospects...We're not counting on them for this year, but they've got a chance to play at the Triple-A level (this season), depending on how they do this spring."
Detroit Tigers
A non-roster invitee to 2008 spring trainingSpring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
, Thomas made the team after starting center fielder Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Before joining the Yankees in 2010, he played with the Detroit Tigers . A center fielder, Granderson is known for being a five-tool player...
broke a finger and went on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
. On Opening Day
Opening Day
Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball and most of the minor leagues, this day falls during the first week of April. For baseball fans, Opening Day serves as a symbol of rebirth; writer Thomas Boswell once penned a book...
, Thomas entered the game as a defensive replacement and made his first major league putout
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
against Joey Gathright
Joey Gathright
Joey Renard Gathright is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.-Early life:...
of the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
. Thomas later hit a double in the bottom of the 11th inning off Royals closer Joakim Soria
Joakim Soria
Joakim Agustín Soria Ramos is a Mexican right-handed baseball relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball...
for his first major league hit.
Thomas split time in the 2008 Major League Baseball season
2008 Major League Baseball season
The 2008 Major League Baseball season began on March 25, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan with the 2007 World Series champion Boston Red Sox defeating the Oakland Athletics at the Tokyo Dome 6–5 in the first game of a two-game series, and ended on September 30 with the host Chicago White Sox defeating the...
between the Tigers and the AAA-affiliate Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
. On April 23, Thomas was optioned to the Tigers' AAA-affiliate Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
when Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Before joining the Yankees in 2010, he played with the Detroit Tigers . A center fielder, Granderson is known for being a five-tool player...
was activated from the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
. Thomas was recalled from Toledo May 29 to replace struggling Matt Joyce
Matt Joyce (baseball)
Matthew R. Joyce is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays.-Early life:Joyce began his career at North Brandon Little League in Brandon, Florida....
. On June 4, Thomas sprained his ankle and went on the disabled list. He was replaced by Brent Clevlen
Brent Clevlen
Brent Aaron Clevlen is a Major League Baseball outfielder who currently plays in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.-Personal life:Clevlen graduated from Westwood High School in 2002.-Major leagues:...
. Thomas returned to the active roster on June 18, 2008.
On May 5, 2009, Thomas was called back up to the Detroit Tigers in a game against the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. In the game, Thomas went three for four with a single, double, and triple, making him a home run shy of hitting for the cycle. On June 7, 2009, against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
Thomas hit a the first grand slam of his career off Angels reliever Jason Bulger to break a 5–5 eighth-inning tie.
On June 12, 2009, Detroit optioned Thomas back to Toledo and called up Don Kelly
Don Kelly (baseball)
Donald Thomas Kelly is an American professional baseball player infielder with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball...
. Said manager Jim Leyland
Jim Leyland
James Richard "Jim" Leyland is a Major League Baseball manager, currently with the Detroit Tigers.He led the Florida Marlins to a World Series championship in 1997, and previously won three straight division titles with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
: "I think he has a shot to be an everyday player, but he has to shorten up his swing...he will be back."
On July 9, 2009, Thomas was recalled from Toledo, and Don Kelly was sent back to Toledo.
Thomas has two walk-off hits in 2009. On August 3, 2009, Thomas hit his first career walk-off home run
Walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the final inning of the game—either the ninth inning, or any extra inning, or any other regularly scheduled final inning...
against Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
pitcher Danys Báez
Danys Báez
Danys Báez González is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. Báez has previously played for the Cleveland Indians , Tampa Bay Devil Rays , Los Angeles Dodgers , Atlanta Braves , Baltimore Orioles , and Philadelphia Phillies .-Cleveland Indians:Báez was signed by the Cleveland...
and on August 20, 2009, Thomas hit a walk-off single to beat the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
7–6.
Thomas spent all of and at Triple-A after losing not making the Tigers roster. In 2010, Thomas played 21 games and hit .183 over that time. In 2011, he hit .251 with 12 home runs in 113 games.