Frank Thomas, a three-time All-Star with his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates who later became the top hitter on the expansion New York Mets, died yesterday. He was 93.
Both teams announced Thomas’ death. The Mets said he died yesterday morning in Pittsburgh. No cause was given.
Thomas played 16 seasons in the major leagues from 1951 to ’66, the first eight for Pittsburgh, where he was born. He batted .266 overall with 286 home runs and 962 RBIs.
Primarily an outfielder and third baseman, Thomas led the Pirates in home runs five times and RBIs four times, including his first year as a regular starter in 1953.
The team said he was a “proud family man and a man of great faith” who was “a valued member of the Pirates Alumni Association for over 30 years. He was most passionate about his charitable work with Camp Happy Days-Kids Kickin’ Cancer, Courageous Kidz and the Millvale Meals On Wheels.”