Erskine Thomason

Melvin Erskine Thomason (born August 13, 1948) is an American former professional baseball pitcher, whose baseball career spanned seven seasons, one September of which was spent with the Major League Baseball (MLB) Philadelphia Phillies. Thomason played in one MLB game, pitching an inning for the Phillies, on September 18, 1974. He struck out one batter while also recording two groundouts. During his playing days, Thomason stood , weighing .

Born and raised in South Carolina, Thomason first played professionally with the Pulaski Phillies in . Over the next three seasons, he played for various Minor League Baseball (MiLB) teams in the Phillies organization before making his MLB debut in . After playing another season in the minors, Thomason worked for the South Carolina Tax Commission, before eventually returning to pitch for the Reading Phillies. After retiring as an active player, he served as a minor league pitching coach, until his retirement in .

Early life Melvin Erskine Thomason was born on August 13, 1948, in Laurens, South Carolina. His mother, Dorothy Cain Thomason, died in child birth, while his father, Furman Erskine Thomason, worked as a farmer. In 1966, Thomason graduated from Laurens High School, where he played football and basketball in addition to baseball.

Thomason was one of the players featured in the 1975 documentary Bush Leagues to Bright Lights. It chronicles his attempt to make the Phillies out of spring training, his demotion to the minor leagues, his subsequent struggles in Triple A, his tutoring by manager Jim Bunning, his marriage to his girlfriend, and ultimately his promotion to the major leagues. The film was narrated by John Facenda.

After retiring from playing baseball, Thomason served as the pitching coach for the Spartanburg Phillies (–). He currently lives in Laurens, South Carolina.