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Show fljffQRTS prQbe) edited by Steve K. Walz I THOMAS, DERREL OSBON Born 1-14-51, Los Angeles, CA. Bats-L-R. Throw$-R. Ht. 6-0. Wt. 160. Single. How acquired: Signed as free agent by Dodgers, Nov. 14, 1978. Versatile Thomas gives Dodgers an edge The dream is now nearly complete com-plete for Derrel Thomas. He's a Los Angeles Dodger, and the number on his back 30 once belonged to his childhood hero, Maury Wills. But he still longs for one more major accomplishment to play all nine positions in one game. The versatile Thomas got the opportunity to play his eighth position catcher earlier this season sea-son when both Steve Yeager and Joe Ferguson were temporarily shelved with injuries. Now the only Major League territory still foreign to Derrel's talents is the pitcher's mound. Background Thomas grew up in Los Angeles, attending Dorsey High School. He signed with Houston upon his graduation in 1969, and was traded by the Astros to San Diego in 1972. After four years with the Padres and three with San Francisco, Derrel signed with the Dodgers as a free agent prior to the 1979 season. Although signed principally as a utility man, he became the club's regular centerfielder midway through the campaign when an injury shelved Rick Monday. He seized the opportunity to amaze Dodger fans with a string of sensational plays, while batting a steady .256 at the plate. "I thought I had a pretty good year defensively and a fairly good one offensively," he said. "I'm sorry that Rick got hurt, but I appreciated the opportunity to play. I'll do whatever I can to help the ballclub." , Now, with the emergence of rookie sensation Rudy Law in center field in 1980, Thomas is back to his original role as a utility man. He stayed busy in April, seeing action at catcher, center field, shortstop and second base, as well as an occasional occasion-al pinch-hitting and pinch-running assignment. Thomas claims he is disappointed disappoint-ed that he no longer has a starting role with the Dodgers, but accepts his assignments with responsibility. respon-sibility. "I had an understanding when I signed what my position was," Thomas said. "I was aware that I was to be a part-time player, filling in here and there. "If Tommy Lasorda wants to have someone else in center field, that was the understanding when I got here. I just want to do whatever I can to help the club." Courtesy of the L.A. Dodger Thomas can play all three outfield positions and all four infield positions with skill. He also handled his brief catching chores with courage when pressed into action in the early stages of the season. In short, he is a handy man to hove around. Enjoys game "I enjoy playing baseball," he says in reference to his aggressive style. "Call it hot-dogging. Call it flashy, conceited, cocky. Call it whatever you want. We get paid to entertain people. I try to entertain the best way I can." This was the same way a man named Wills approached the game. "I had a conversation with 1 Maury in the clubhouse last year about wearing number 30," Thomas says. "I explained to him that he was the reason I'd always worn 30 on the other teams I'd been with in my career. But when I came to the Dodgers it wasn't available. "By me expressing how important impor-tant it was, he said he'd see if he could arrange having something done about it." ! You might says Wills gave Derrel Thomas the shirt right off his back. w jojutoa umncts. me. |
