About Frank Thompson
Lived 1918 – 1983 (aged 64–65). Frank Thompson was an American baseball player.
Frank R. Thompson, Jr. (October 26, 1918 – February, 1983), nicknamed "Groundhog", was an American pitcher in the Negro leagues from 1945 to 1954.
A native of Merryville, Louisiana, Thompson joined the Birmingham Black Barons in 1945, where he was praised by his manager as possessing, "a fastball, curve, sinker, control, and poise on the mound...learns fast and is constantly picking up the finer points of the pitching art." His undeniable skill combined with his diminutive size and unusual physical appearance quickly made Thompson a fan-favorite.
Thompson went on to twirl for the Homestead Grays from 1946 to 1948, and Memphis Red Sox from 1949 to 1951, then returned to the Birmingham club in 1952. Thompson represented the Black Barons as the starting pitcher for the 1952 East–West All-Star Game, and continued to play for Birmingham through 1954.
Thompson died in Memphis, Tennessee in 1983 at age 64.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Frank Thompson's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Frank Thompson's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Frank Thompson?
American baseball player (1918-1983)
When was Frank Thompson born?
Frank Thompson was born on 26 October 1918 in Merryville, Louisiana.
When did Frank Thompson die?
Frank Thompson died in 1983 in Memphis, Tennessee.
What was Frank Thompson's occupation?
Frank Thompson was a baseball player.
What nationality was Frank Thompson?
Frank Thompson was American.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Frank Thompson (pitcher)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Frank Thompson. https://biography.guide/frank-thompson-baseball-player-1918/
MLA: "Frank Thompson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/frank-thompson-baseball-player-1918/.
Chicago: "Frank Thompson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/frank-thompson-baseball-player-1918/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:01 UTC