Thompson was the first black player for both the Browns and the Giants, and when he batted against the Dodgers’ Don Newcombe in 1949, it was the first time in ML history a black batter faced a black pitcher. The left-handed hitter enjoyed his best season in 1953, when he hit .302 with 24 HR. On June 3, 1954 he hit three homers in one game. In the WS that year against the Indians, he hit .364 and drew a four-game Series record of seven walks.
