Posts tagged as “Andre Thornton”

• Originally signed as an armature free agent with the Phillies in 1967 and was later traded to the Cubs.
• Made his MLB debut with the Cubs in 1974.
• Posted .428 OBP in 120 games with the Cubs in 1975 but hit a modest 18 home runs and was likely underappreciated at the time as his ability to draw walks was dramatically undervalued.
• Traded to the Expos in 1976 and then acquired by Cleveland prior to the 1977 season in exchange for 34-year-old starting pitcher Jackie Brown, who would play just one more year in the big leagues.
• Hit 28 HR and finished eighth in the AL with a .904 OPS in his first year with Cleveland in 1977.
• Hit 87 HR for Cleveland during the 1970s, just two fewer than team leader George Hendrick, despite playing over 100 fewer games than Hendrick.
• Missed the entire 1980 season due to multiple knee surgeries. He was almost exclusively a DH through the remainder of his career.
• Cleveland’s first Silver Slugger award winner in 1984 as a DH.
• One of just two Indians to make multiple All-Star teams during the 1980s (also Doug Jones).
• Hit 125 HR as a DH for Cleveland. At the time of his retirement, no one else in team history had more than 39 and he sat in third place in MLB history. His team record was eventually broken by Travis Hafner (187), but Thornton remains in second place (as of 2025).
• Named to 100 Greatest Indians team in 2001.
• Inducted into team Hall of Fame in 2007.