Gorman Thomas

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Lore & Background

Thomas earned the affectionate nickname "Stormin' Gorman" during his tenure with Milwaukee. Beyond his on-field production, he shared a unique bond with fans and teammates alike, notably opening a bar called "Stormin' & Vuke's" alongside pitcher Pete Vuckovich. His career was marked by specific turning points, such as the 1978 season when he became an everyday center fielder after being sold back to Milwaukee by the Texas Rangers without ever playing for them. The 1982 World Series remains a defining moment; while the Brewers lost to the Cardinals in seven games, Thomas struck out against Bruce Sutter to end the series. His connection to the city was so strong that angry fans flooded the switchboard with calls criticizing his trade to Cleveland in 1983.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Gorman Thomas is defined by explosive power mixed with high strikeouts. In 1979, he enjoyed his best MLB season, setting career highs in home runs (45), RBI (123), and OPS (.895) to finish seventh in MVP voting. The following year, he played all 162 games, hitting 38 home runs. His dominance continued into 1982 when he tied Reggie Jackson for the league lead with an AL-high 39 home runs while driving in 112 runs. This performance helped the Brewers win the American League East and reach the World Series. However, his trajectory shifted late in 1982; he hit just .181 after September 1 and managed only four hits in 41 at-bats during the postseason. These struggles led to a controversial trade on June 6, 1983, sending him to the Cleveland Indians for Rick Manning and Rick Waits.

Reader's Guide

Gorman Thomas's path to the majors began when he was selected by the Seattle Pilots as their first-ever draft pick in 1969 (21st overall). In 1974, playing for the Sacramento Solons, he finished second in the league in home runs (51) and first in strikeouts (175). His transition to an everyday role came in 1978 with Milwaukee, where he batted .246 with 32 home runs. By 1985, after shoulder surgery ended his outfield career, he adapted as a designated hitter for the Seattle Mariners, becoming the first player in franchise history to hit 30 home runs in a season (32 total). Despite batting only .215 that year, he was named The Sporting News AL Comeback Player of the Year. He finished his career with a .225 average and 268 home runs.

Did You Know?

• He was the first-ever draft pick in Seattle Pilots history, selected 21st overall in 1969.
• In high school, he earned 14 letters across four different sports: baseball, football, basketball, and track.
• He opened a Milwaukee bar called "Stormin' & Vuke's" with teammate Pete Vuckovich.
• From 1978 to 1983, Thomas hit 197 home runs, the most in the American League during that span, ahead of Reggie Jackson (203—though Jackson's total includes NL homers), Jim Rice (168), and Eddie Murray (172).
• In 1985, he became the first player in Seattle Mariners history to hit 30 home runs in a single season.

Early Life and Draft History

Thomas was born on December 12, 1950, in Charleston, South Carolina. His father, Gorman Sr., was a postal worker and a former minor league pitcher. Raised initially on James Island, the family moved to Columbia, where Thomas attended Cardinal Newman High School through his junior year. There, he played on a state championship basketball team in 1968. He transferred to James Island High School for his senior year. In high school, he earned 14 letters across four sports: baseball, football, basketball, and track. He was selected in the first round (21st overall) of the 1969 Major League Baseball draft by the Seattle Pilots, becoming the first-ever draft pick in the team's history.

The Stormin' Gorman Era

Thomas played Class A baseball with the Danville Warriors in 1971, leading the Midwest League in home runs (31) and strikeouts (170). He spent parts of 1973 and 1974 in the majors but mostly played Class AAA, finishing second in the Pacific Coast League in home runs (51) in 1974. After playing all of 1977 with the Spokane Indians (.322 average, 36 home runs), he was briefly traded to the Texas Rangers as a player to be named later before being sold back to Milwaukee in February 1978 without appearing for Texas. Becoming an everyday center fielder in 1978, Thomas batted .246 with 32 home runs and 86 RBI. His best season came in 1979, when he led the AL with 45 home runs, recorded 123 RBI, and finished seventh in MVP voting. Affectionately known as "Stormin' Gorman," he followed this with a .239 average and 38 home runs in 1980. In 1981, he was named to the AL All-Star Team and finished eighth in MVP voting. In 1982, he hit an AL-high 39 home runs (tying Reggie Jackson) with 112 RBI, helping the Brewers win the American League East and reach the World Series, where they lost to the Cardinals in seven games.

Trade Controversy and Decline

On June 6, 1983, Thomas was traded from the Brewers to the Cleveland Indians along with Jamie Easterly and Ernie Camacho for Rick Manning and Rick Waits. The move angered Brewers fans, who flooded the team's switchboard with calls. His play had declined late in 1982, hitting .181 after September 1 and recording only four hits in 41 at-bats during the postseason. In 1983, he batted a combined .209 with 22 home runs and 69 RBI between Milwaukee and Cleveland. Despite this decline, Thomas had hit more home runs than any other AL player from 1978 to 1983 (197). Uncomfortable in Cleveland, he requested another trade after the season.

Final Years and Retirement

On December 7, 1983, Thomas was traded to the Seattle Mariners with Jack Perconte for Tony Bernazard. He played only 35 games in 1984 before undergoing season-ending rotator cuff surgery in June. In 1985, he assumed the designated hitter role and became the first Mariner to hit 30 home runs in a season (finishing with 32), earning The Sporting News AL Comeback Player of the Year award despite batting .215. However, he felt alienated from teammates and was excluded from a team highlight video at an anniversary party. Executives attempted to trade him but found minimal interest due to his age and DH-only status. In 1986, under manager Dick Williams, his playing time decreased; after hitting .194 with 10 home runs in 57 games by late June, he was released. He turned down an offer from the Detroit Tigers but signed a short-term deal with the Brewers to serve as a designated hitter and pinch hitter before retiring after the 1986 season. His career totals were a .225 average, 268 home runs, and 782 RBI in 1,435 games.