Joe Thurston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Joe Thurston |
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Thurston with the St. Louis Cardinals
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| Third baseman / Second baseman | ||||||||||||||
| Born: September 29, 1979 Fairfield, California, U.S. |
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| debut | ||||||||||||||
| September 2, 2002, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | ||||||||||||||
| Last appearance | ||||||||||||||
| August 5, 2011, for the Florida Marlins | ||||||||||||||
| MLB statistics | ||||||||||||||
| Batting average | .226 | |||||||||||||
| Home runs | 1 | |||||||||||||
| Runs batted in | 27 | |||||||||||||
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Medals
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Joseph William Thurston (born September 29, 1979) is an American former professional baseball player. He played as a third baseman and second baseman. Joe Thurston played for several teams in Major League Baseball (MLB). These teams included the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, and Florida Marlins.
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Joe Thurston's Early Baseball Days
Thurston went to Vallejo High School in Vallejo, California. In 1997, the Boston Red Sox picked him in the baseball draft. However, he decided not to sign with them. Instead, he chose to go to Sacramento City College. In 1999, he helped his college team, the Panthers, win the state championship. He hit the game-winning ball!
Playing Professional Baseball
Starting with the Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers drafted Thurston in 1999. This was his second time being drafted. He was picked in the fourth round.
By 2001, Thurston was seen as a promising young player for the Dodgers. He played for the Jacksonville Suns, a Double-A team. In 2002, he played for the Las Vegas 51s, a Triple-A team. He had a great year, hitting for a high average and stealing many bases. He was even named the Dodgers' Minor League Player of the Year. Baseball America also called him the AAA Player of the Year.
Thurston made his first appearance in Major League Baseball on September 2, 2002. He played for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He played very well in his first few games.
However, his performance in the minor leagues started to drop after 2002. He was called up to the Dodgers again in 2003 and 2004. But he didn't hit as well in those seasons. In 2005, the Dodgers traded him to the New York Yankees. He played for their Triple-A team. After that season, he became a free agent, meaning he could sign with any team.
Time with the Philadelphia Phillies
In 2006, Thurston signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. He played for their Triple-A team. Later that year, he joined the Phillies' main team. He played in 18 games for them. After the season, he was released.
He signed with the Phillies again in 2007. He played for their Double-A and Triple-A teams. He was briefly called up to the Phillies' main team in July 2007. He became a free agent again after the season.
Joining the Boston Red Sox
In December 2007, Thurston signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox. He was called up to the Red Sox in April 2008. He filled in for an injured player.
Playing for the St. Louis Cardinals
Thurston was later traded from the Red Sox. In December 2008, he signed a minor league deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. He made his debut with the Cardinals in April 2009. He played as a pinch runner and at third base.
He got more playing time with the Cardinals in 2009. He played many different positions, including third base, second base, and left field. He was a useful player for the team. In November 2009, he became a free agent.
With the Atlanta Braves and Florida Marlins
In December 2009, Thurston signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves. He also got to join their spring training.
In 2011, Thurston had a great season with the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs. He was promoted to the Florida Marlins in August. He played one game for them before being traded again. He became a free agent at the end of the season.
Later Years in Baseball
Thurston continued to play baseball for several more years. He signed minor league contracts with the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, and Minnesota Twins in 2012. He also played in independent leagues. These included the Atlantic League. He played for the York Revolution and Lancaster Barnstormers.
He also played baseball in other countries. He played for teams in the Mexican Baseball League and the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. In 2014, he signed with the Milwaukee Brewers. In 2015, he signed with the Boston Red Sox again.
Joe Thurston's Coaching Career
After his playing career, Joe Thurston became a baseball coach.
Coaching for the Boston Red Sox
In 2015, Thurston was hired as a coach for the Portland Sea Dogs. This team is a Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.
Coaching for the Cincinnati Reds
In 2016, he became the hitting coach for the Billings Mustangs. This team is a Rookie League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.
Coaching for the Seattle Mariners
In 2017, Thurston was hired as the hitting coach for the Modesto Nuts. This is a Single-A team for the Seattle Mariners. He was later promoted to coach the Everrett AquaSox in 2019. In 2020, he was the first base coach for the main Seattle Mariners team.
Coaching for the Philadelphia Phillies
Since 2022, Thurston has been the hitting coach for the Phillies' Triple–A team. This team is called the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
Personal Life
Joe Thurston became a father in 2009 when his first child was born.
Awards and Recognition
- 2000 – Los Angeles Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year
- 2002 – Baseball America 2nd team Minor League All-Star 2B, Triple-A All-Star 2B, Los Angeles Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year, Pacific League All-Star 2B, AAA Player of the Year
- 2005 – Pacific Coast League All-Star 2B
- 2006 – International League All-Star 2B
- 2011 – IBAF Baseball World Cup All-Star 2B
