Today's blog post has a 1974 "dedicated rookie" for former slugger Andre Thornton, who made his Major League debut with the Chicago Cubs during the 1973 season:
Thornton appeared in 17
games for the Cubs that season, hitting an even .200 with seven hits
over 35 at-bats, with three runs scored and a couple of runs batted in.
He'd
appear in 107 games in 1974, hitting .261 with 10 homers and 46 ribbies
while playing both first and third base, and fare even better the
following season with a .293 average and 18 homers, with 60 RBIs.
After
a stalled season in 1976 when he split the campaign between the Cubs
and Montreal Expos, and tragically, an automobile accident that took the
life of his daughter and wife, he'd incredibly find his groove with the
Cleveland Indians, where he ended
up playing the rest of his career until he retired in 1987.
In 1978, 1982 and 1984 he posted 30+ home run seasons, with R.B.I. totals of 105, 116 and 99, earning him some M.V.P. votes each year.
He also won the Roberto Clemente award in 1979 as a player who "exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement, and team contribution", and a Silver Slugger in 1984 as a designated hitter.
Overall, he finished with 253 home runs, a .254 average and 1342 hits over 5291 at-bats and 1565 games between 1973 and 1987.
In 1978, 1982 and 1984 he posted 30+ home run seasons, with R.B.I. totals of 105, 116 and 99, earning him some M.V.P. votes each year.
He also won the Roberto Clemente award in 1979 as a player who "exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement, and team contribution", and a Silver Slugger in 1984 as a designated hitter.
