Piano Prodigy Jude Kofie to Headline Project Harmony’s 30th Anniversary Gala
5 days ago
United States Milton Bernard Thompson transitioned from a distinguished Major League Baseball outfielder to a respected hitting coach and community leader, sharing his extensive baseball knowledge and commitment to youth development.
Co-founder of Play Ball Indiana, an organization focused on creating baseball and softball opportunities for inner-city youth.
Former certified Contract Advisor with the NFL Players Association.
Former certified Contract Advisor with the NBA Players Association.
Milt Thompson is a Board Member of the Darren Daulton Foundation.
Milton Bernard Thompson, born on January 5, 1959, in Washington, D.C., embarked on a significant career in professional baseball both as a player and later as a coach. His journey began after being drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 2nd round of the 1979 MLB January Draft following his time at Howard University. Thompson made his Major League debut on September 4, 1984, at the age of 25. Over his 13-year playing career in MLB, he primarily played as an outfielder and pinch hitter, known for his left-handed batting and right-handed throwing. He accumulated a career batting average of .274, with 1,029 hits, 47 home runs, and 357 runs batted in. He also showcased his speed with 214 stolen bases.
Thompson’s playing career included stints with several prominent teams, such as the Atlanta Braves (1984–1985), Philadelphia Phillies (1986–1988, 1993–1994), St. Louis Cardinals (1989–1992), Houston Astros (1994–1995), Los Angeles Dodgers (1996), and Colorado Rockies (1996). A notable period was his return to the Philadelphia Phillies, where he was a key component of the unexpected 1993 National League Championship team. During this season, he demonstrated exceptional defensive skills, including a memorable play on April 29, 1993, where he robbed the San Diego Padres of a grand slam, preserving a Phillies win. This period also saw him achieve a .313 batting average in the 1993 World Series.
Following his playing career, Thompson transitioned into coaching, beginning with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as a minor league outfield/base-running coordinator in 1997. He then joined the Philadelphia Phillies organization as a minor league coach in 1998, eventually becoming the major league first base coach in 2004 and then the hitting coach in 2005. As the hitting coach, he contributed to the Phillies’ 2008 World Series championship, earning his first World Series ring. He later worked as a minor league outfield/base-running coordinator for the Houston Astros and as a coach for the Kansas City Royals’ Class A affiliate, the Wilmington Blue Rocks. Most recently, he served as a minor league hitting instructor for the Cincinnati Reds organization.
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