For many, Dickie Thon is on the short list of “what if” legends of the game. “What if” Mets pitcher Mike Torrez’ fastball doesn’t hit Thon in the face, breaking the orbital bone around Thon’s left eye in just his 17th at-bat in the 1984 season?
A year prior, Thon would represent the Astros in the 50th All-Star Game at historic Comiskey Park. We sat down with Dickie for the third installment of our Legends Series.
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Q: Let’s start with the 1983 season and being named a reserve for the All-Star Game. How incredible was that night, where you were on the field with the likes of Rod Carew, Andre Dawson, Reggie Jackson, even Carl Yastrzemski was on the roster?
A: You know the 1983 season was tough in the beginning because we were losing, but I felt like I was helping the team. I was getting the recognition of being an everyday player and the All-Star game that July was just amazing because so many of those guys I grew up watching play the game. Guys like Johnny Bench and Rod Carew. I started my career playing with Rod with the Angels and when I reached first base, he was there and told me good job. I had three at bats that night which was a lot of fun.
Q: The next year, your career takes an unexpected turn when you get hit in the face by Mike Torrez. Many feel that you had the potential to one day become a member of the HOF, prior to that unfortunate at bat. How did you view your career path at that time?
A: I was developing into a really good player. I always wanted to be the best at my position. I worked very hard for that. I played winter ball, I played year-round and it was tough on me. I never thought about the Hall Of Fame, I just wanted to be a good player and help my team. Baseball is tough, injuries can happen at any time.
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Q: What was it like when the Astrodome was rocking back in the day?
A: Every time you played there, it was something else. There was no other ballpark like that, even the bullpens were huge. That was a really tough place for opposing teams to hit and we had some really good players, with some great pitching. We always thought we could compete in our division because of the players and the Astrodome.
Q: It’s hard to believe that the classic series with the Mets will turn 40 years next fall. What do you remember most about that season, and that series?
A: That year in particular, we thought we would win the division on the very first day. We just felt we had that good of a team. We were consistent that whole season. The guys were just on point, Cruz, Bass and Terry Puhl and Phil Garner. We just played well the whole year. Losing to the Mets was tough, but the team battled that entire series and for 16 innings.
