From September 1 to 10 as an Angels rookie in 1961, Thomas went 23-for-39 (.590). On September 5 in a doubleheader at Kansas City, he had nine hits and 19 total bases, with three homers and eight RBI, tying the ML record for hits in a twin bill. He hit 50 homers in his first two seasons and played in both 1962 All-Star Games.
