Marcus Thames
Encyclopedia
Marcus Markley Thames (born March 6, 1977 in Louisville, Mississippi
) is an American
professional baseball
outfielder
. He has previously played for the New York Yankees
, Texas Rangers
, Detroit Tigers
and Los Angeles Dodgers
.
For his career, Thames has averaged a home run every 15.4 at bats. If he had the requisite 3,000 qualifying plate appearances, he would have the 10th best home run to at bat ratio among active players (25th all time). He also reached 100 home runs in 1,549 at bats which is fewer than any other player with 100 home runs.
in the 30th round of the 1996 Major League Baseball Draft
.
Thames warranted "prospect" status from the Yankees following a standout 2001 season for the AA affiliate Norwich Navigators
, in which he batted .321 with 31 home run
s and 97 runs batted in
. For his efforts he was named to the Baseball America
minor league all-star team.
On June 10, 2002, Thames began his major league career with a bang as he was the 80th player in history to hit a home run in his first at bat. Thames hit the home run off the first pitch he saw from Randy Johnson
of the Arizona Diamondbacks
. As his coaches and teammates were laughing in amazement, Thames stepped out of the dugout
for a curtain call to a capacity crowd at Yankee Stadium
.
for Rubén Sierra
. Thames hit a home run in his first at bat with the Rangers.
Thames was granted free-agency on October 15 and signed with the Detroit Tigers on December 7.
The next two seasons saw Thames splitting time between the Tigers and their AAA affiliate Toledo Mud Hens
. While dominating the AAA level, he found it difficult to crack the outfield rotation in place with the parent club. However, in 2006 Thames made his first opening day roster with the blessing of new manager Jim Leyland
. Playing sparsely early in the season, he soon seized his opportunity for extended playing time due to injuries to Dmitri Young
and Craig Monroe
. Although he suffered through a slump near the end of the season, Thames was a key component to the Tigers vast improvement in the season. He set career highs in every offensive category, hitting .256 with 26 home runs and 60 RBIs in only 348 at bats, finishing with a solid .882 OPS
.
Thames spent a considerable amount of time during 2007 spring training
learning the first base position, as Leyland sought ways to get Thames at-bats.
On July 1, 2007, Thames hit a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to score the only run in the game in a victory over the Minnesota Twins
. On July 6, he hit the third grand slam
of his career at Comerica Park
against the Boston Red Sox
. On July 8, Thames hit one of the longest home runs in the history of Comerica Park. Batting against pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka
of the Red Sox, Thames hit a home run to deep center field that bounced off the camera area. The last Tiger to hit a home run to that area was Eric Munson
in 2004.
Thames hit eight home runs in seven consecutive games from June 11 to June 17, 2008, becoming the first Tiger in team history to achieve that feat. During that streak, eight consecutive hits were home runs.
On August 9, 2009, Thames hit his 100th career home run. He was released from the Tigers at the end of the season.
Thames began the season platooning in left field with Brett Gardner
, but was soon moved to a bench role because of his poor defense and Gardner's ability to hit left-handed pitchers. Thames would see more regular starts in left when Curtis Granderson
was placed on the 15-day disabled list, as well as a few starts in right field when Nick Swisher
was sidelined with an injury. However, in the latter part of the season, he rarely played the outfield, especially after the acquisition of Austin Kearns
.
He hit .288 with 12 home runs in 82 games. Although he usually only started against left-handed pitchers, Thames came through with several big hits in 2010. On May 17, he hit a walk-off home run against Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon
. On July 4, Thames returned from a DL stint to hit a game-ending single against the Toronto Blue Jays
. On August 11, he helped the Yankees come back from a five run deficit by hitting a home run in the eighth inning and a go ahead single in the ninth inning to beat the Rangers. In a six game stretch from August 24 to August 30, he had 6 home runs and 11 RBIs in 21 at bats.
On July 29, 2010, Thames made his first career appearance at third base
(minor leagues included) as a late-inning replacement. He committed a throwing error
in his only chance
.
Thames elected free agency from the Yankees on November 7, 2010.
for the 2011 season. He made 70 appearances for the Dodgers before being designated for assignment on July 12. He had a .197 batting average for Los Angeles. He was released a few days later.
signed Thames to a minor league deal. However, he never played in a game for the Yankees at any level of their system the rest of the season.
His nickname, "Slick", is the result of getting his hair cut too short when he was four years old.
Thames served in the National Guard from 1994 to 1998.
Louisville, Mississippi
Louisville is a city in Winston County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 7,006 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Winston County.-Geography:Louisville is located at ....
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
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...
. He has previously played for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
, 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...
and Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
.
For his career, Thames has averaged a home run every 15.4 at bats. If he had the requisite 3,000 qualifying plate appearances, he would have the 10th best home run to at bat ratio among active players (25th all time). He also reached 100 home runs in 1,549 at bats which is fewer than any other player with 100 home runs.
First stint with the Yankees
He was drafted by the New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in the 30th round of the 1996 Major League Baseball Draft
1996 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1996 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 4 and 5, 1996...
.
Thames warranted "prospect" status from the Yankees following a standout 2001 season for the AA affiliate Norwich Navigators
Connecticut Defenders
The Connecticut Defenders were a minor league baseball team based in Norwich, Connecticut. The team, which played in the Eastern League, was the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major-league club from 2003 until following the 2009 season, when the Defenders relocated to Richmond,...
, in which he batted .321 with 31 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 97 runs batted in
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
. For his efforts he was named to the Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
minor league all-star team.
On June 10, 2002, Thames began his major league career with a bang as he was the 80th player in history to hit a home run in his first at bat. Thames hit the home run off the first pitch he saw from Randy Johnson
Randy Johnson
Randall David Johnson , nicknamed "The Big Unit", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 22-year career, he pitched for six different teams....
of the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
. As his coaches and teammates were laughing in amazement, Thames stepped out of the dugout
Dugout (baseball)
In baseball, the dugout is a team's bench area and is located in foul territory between home plate and either first or third base. There are two dugouts, one for the home team and one for the visiting team. In general, the dugout is occupied by all players not prescribed to be on the field at that...
for a curtain call to a capacity crowd at Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
.
Texas Rangers
On June 6, 2003, the Yankees (looking for a left-handed batter) traded Thames to the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
for Rubén Sierra
Rubén Sierra
Rubén Angel Sierra García is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. Sierra also goes by the nicknames El Caballo and El Indio....
. Thames hit a home run in his first at bat with the Rangers.
Detroit Tigers
The next two seasons saw Thames splitting time between the Tigers and their 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...
. While dominating the AAA level, he found it difficult to crack the outfield rotation in place with the parent club. However, in 2006 Thames made his first opening day roster with the blessing of new 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...
. Playing sparsely early in the season, he soon seized his opportunity for extended playing time due to injuries to Dmitri Young
Dmitri Young
Dmitri Dell Young is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Young is 6'2" and 275 pounds...
and Craig Monroe
Craig Monroe
Craig Keystone Monroe , nicknamed "C-Mo," is a Major League Baseball outfielder who most recently played for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Professional career:...
. Although he suffered through a slump near the end of the season, Thames was a key component to the Tigers vast improvement in the season. He set career highs in every offensive category, hitting .256 with 26 home runs and 60 RBIs in only 348 at bats, finishing with a solid .882 OPS
On-base plus slugging
On-base plus slugging is a sabermetric baseball statistic calculated as the sum of a player's on-base percentage and slugging percentage. The ability of a player to both get on base and to hit for power, two important hitting skills, are represented. An OPS of .900 or higher in Major League...
.
Thames spent a considerable amount of time during 2007 spring training
Spring 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...
learning the first base position, as Leyland sought ways to get Thames at-bats.
On July 1, 2007, Thames hit a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to score the only run in the game in a victory over 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...
. On July 6, he hit the third grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
of his career at Comerica Park
Comerica Park
Comerica Park is an open-air ballpark located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It serves as the home of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball's American League, replacing historic Tiger Stadium in 2000....
against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. On July 8, Thames hit one of the longest home runs in the history of Comerica Park. Batting against pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka
Daisuke Matsuzaka
is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball in the United States. He previously played for the Seibu Lions in Japan's Pacific League. He was selected the MVP of the inaugural and the second World Baseball Classic, and is an Olympic bronze...
of the Red Sox, Thames hit a home run to deep center field that bounced off the camera area. The last Tiger to hit a home run to that area was Eric Munson
Eric Munson
Eric Walter Munson is a former Major League Baseball catcher who currently plays for the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He was the third overall pick in the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft by the Detroit Tigers, behind Josh Hamilton and Josh Beckett...
in 2004.
Thames hit eight home runs in seven consecutive games from June 11 to June 17, 2008, becoming the first Tiger in team history to achieve that feat. During that streak, eight consecutive hits were home runs.
On August 9, 2009, Thames hit his 100th career home run. He was released from the Tigers at the end of the season.
Second stint with the Yankees
Thames signed a minor league deal to return to the Yankees on February 8, 2010. His contract was purchased prior to the regular season, adding him to the Yankees' opening day roster.Thames began the season platooning in left field with Brett Gardner
Brett Gardner
Brett M. Gardner is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the New York Yankees. Gardner, who is 5' 10", bats and throws left-handed.-College baseball career:...
, but was soon moved to a bench role because of his poor defense and Gardner's ability to hit left-handed pitchers. Thames would see more regular starts in left 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 placed on the 15-day disabled list, as well as a few starts in right field when Nick Swisher
Nick Swisher
Nicholas Thompson "Nick" Swisher is an outfielder for the New York Yankees. Swisher is a switch hitter who throws left-handed....
was sidelined with an injury. However, in the latter part of the season, he rarely played the outfield, especially after the acquisition of Austin Kearns
Austin Kearns
Austin Ryan Kearns is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent.-Cincinnati Reds:...
.
He hit .288 with 12 home runs in 82 games. Although he usually only started against left-handed pitchers, Thames came through with several big hits in 2010. On May 17, he hit a walk-off home run against Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon
Jonathan Papelbon
Jonathan Robert Papelbon is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball. Before joining the Phillies, Papelbon played with the Boston Red Sox from 2005-2011....
. On July 4, Thames returned from a DL stint to hit a game-ending single against the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. On August 11, he helped the Yankees come back from a five run deficit by hitting a home run in the eighth inning and a go ahead single in the ninth inning to beat the Rangers. In a six game stretch from August 24 to August 30, he had 6 home runs and 11 RBIs in 21 at bats.
On July 29, 2010, Thames made his first career appearance at third base
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
(minor leagues included) as a late-inning replacement. He committed a throwing error
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
in his only chance
Total chances
In baseball statistics, total chances , also called chances offered, represents the number of plays in which a defensive player has participated. It is calculated as follows: Total Chances = assists + putouts + errors. Chances accepted refers to the total of putouts and assists only. Fielding...
.
Thames elected free agency from the Yankees on November 7, 2010.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Thames signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
for the 2011 season. He made 70 appearances for the Dodgers before being designated for assignment on July 12. He had a .197 batting average for Los Angeles. He was released a few days later.
Third stint with the Yankees
On July 22, 2011, the New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
signed Thames to a minor league deal. However, he never played in a game for the Yankees at any level of their system the rest of the season.
Personal
Thames's mother, Veterine, has been paralyzed since an auto accident when Marcus was five years old. As a result, she has only been able to watch him play in person a handful of times.His nickname, "Slick", is the result of getting his hair cut too short when he was four years old.
Thames served in the National Guard from 1994 to 1998.