Position: pitcher Bats: right Throws: right

Frank Thompson's favorite pitch was the slider or drop ball, as it was known then. He played for the East in two East-West All Star games in the early 1950's. Oscar Charleston coached the East and Buck O'Neil of Kansas City Monarchs coached the West. He went to Mark Adams High School, where history was his favorite subject. He grew up in Shelbyville, TN. His high school did not have a baseball team. However, he played on the football team from 1936 - 1940. In the summer months he played baseball with the local Shelbyville Black Cats. After high school it was not uncommon to play baseball year-round. Frank's dad, Frank Sr. and his mom, Cornelia, were wonderful parents. They worked hard together to provide for Frank, his brothers Charles, Bobby and a sister Mary. His dad worked at the local power company for 45 years. Frank served this country during World War II assigned to the 240 Quartermaster Unit in Europe, Africa, Italy, France, and Germany. In 1944, he would have an opportunity to play against the great Willie Brown in military ball. He returned to play with the Nashville Cubs of the Negro Southern League and some Canadian ball before going on to the Baltimore Elite Giants and continued his Negro League days. He was quite fond of his catcher and friend, Otha Baily - they played ball and barnstormed together. At the close of his baseball career in the latter part of 1958, Frank worked until retirement for the Shelbyville power company, as his father had done before, until he retired. During his days with the BBB, he played with the likes of Pepper Basset, "Piper" Davis, Bobby Robinson, and part of a season with the great Willie Mays.

Frank spoke so highly of his son, Frank Thompson the 3rd. He sadly shared that while his son was serving his military commitment, stationed in Okinawa in the mid 1960's, he was killed in an accident.

Frank is crazy about fishing. He's fished all of the local lakes and ponds. He's cut back as of late due to his arthritis flaring up. Frank enjoys going crossword puzzles now and then, and watching as much sports programming as he possibly can.

* Frank passed away in July of 2002 - All of us that new him and loved him were truly blessed with his friendship. We will miss him.