Power-hitting first baseman who played for the Milwaukee Brewers and Seattle Mariners, known for his impressive home run streaks and dominant performance in the Korean Baseball Organization.
Eric Thames is a name synonymous with power hitting and dominance on the baseball field. As a former professional baseball first baseman and outfielder, Thames has left an indelible mark on the game, with a career that spans across three continents and multiple leagues.
Thames was born on November 10, 1986, in the San Jose-Santa Clara area of California. He developed a passion for baseball at a young age and honed his skills at Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose. Initially, he was the junior varsity team's third-string shortstop, but his hard work and dedication earned him a spot as the starting shortstop in his sophomore year.
Thames' impressive performance in high school led him to West Valley Community College, where he made the Northern California all-state team and earned a spot on the first-team all-conference squad. He then transferred to Pepperdine University, where he played for the Waves and was named the West Coast Conference's Most Valuable Player in 2008.
Thames' successful college career caught the attention of Major League Baseball (MLB) scouts, and he was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 7th round of the 2008 MLB draft. However, due to a quadriceps injury, Thames fell in the draft and was ultimately signed by the Blue Jays.
Thames made his MLB debut for the Blue Jays in 2011 and spent time with the Seattle Mariners before moving to the NC Dinos in the KBO League in 2014. It was in the KBO League that Thames truly found his footing, winning the Most Valuable Player award in 2015 and leading the Dinos to a championship title.
Thames' success in the KBO League earned him a return to MLB with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2017. He spent two seasons with the Brewers before moving to the Washington Nationals in 2019. Thames also had a brief stint with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league in 2020.
Throughout his career, Thames has been recognized for his exceptional skills on the field. Some of his notable awards and accolades include:
Thames' career has been marked by his incredible work ethic and dedication to the game. Despite facing setbacks and injuries, he has continued to persevere and adapt, earning him a reputation as one of the most resilient and talented players in the game.
As Thames looks to the future, his legacy in the baseball world is already cemented. He has inspired countless young players around the world with his story of hard work and determination, and his impact on the game will be felt for generations to come.
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Power-hitting first baseman with 319 career home runs, known for his impressive slugging percentage and larger-than-life personality.
