Dickie Thon, a Puerto Rican shortstop, played Major League Baseball for several teams over the course of his career. Born on June 20, 1958, in South Bend, Indiana, Thon grew up in Puerto Rico, where he developed his skills and passion for baseball. He was signed by the California Angels as an amateur free agent in 1975, and he made his MLB debut with the team on September 4, 1979.
Thon's early years with the Angels showed promise, but it was his trade to the Houston Astros in 1981 that marked a turning point in his career. With the Astros, Thon quickly established himself as a reliable shortstop. The 1982 season was a breakout year for him, as he played in 149 games, hit .276, and stole 37 bases. His performance earned him a spot on the National League All-Star team in 1983, a year in which he batted .286 with 20 home runs and 79 RBIs. Thon's combination of speed, defensive prowess, and offensive capability made him a valuable asset to the Astros.
However, Thon's career faced a significant challenge on April 8, 1984, when he was hit in the face by a pitch from Mike Torrez of the New York Mets. The injury resulted in a fractured orbital bone and vision problems, which threatened to end his career prematurely. Despite the severity of the injury, Thon made a determined effort to return to the field. He missed most of the 1984 season but returned to play in 1985, although he struggled to regain his previous form.
Thon's perseverance paid off as he continued to play in the major leagues, albeit with some limitations due to his injury. He remained with the Astros until 1987, after which he signed with the San Diego Padres. His tenure with the Padres lasted two seasons, during which he played as a utility infielder. In 1989, Thon joined the Philadelphia Phillies, where he experienced a resurgence. He played three seasons with the Phillies, providing veteran leadership and contributing both offensively and defensively.
In 1992, Thon signed with the Texas Rangers, but his time with the team was brief. He concluded his MLB career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1993.
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