Tony Thomas, armed with a pie pan or towel filled with shaving cream, sneaks up behind teammates doing post-game television interviews and smacks them in the face.
“Guys are surprised and the crowd loves it. Everybody is a good sport. Nobody takes it personal,” said Thomas, who admits what goes around, comes around. “They get me when it’s my turn.”
However, Thomas has had his turn in the spotlight. He was the 2007 National Player of the Year at Florida State, Atlantic Coast Conference Player, All-American, All-ACC first team and a finalist for the 2007 Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy. He batted a conference-best .430, led the NCAA in runs (91), doubles (330) and total bases (189). His on-base percentage was 1.25.
At age 10 Thomas became a Christian and was baptized. His great grandmother, who died in 2007, was a strong spiritual influence. He listened as she read the Bible, and when he left for college she gave him a prayer cloth that he keeps in his wallet.
When she died during his junior year at Florida State University (FSU), which was his last year there, he said, “When things look dark and gloomy, like there is no way out, something happens. It may be tiny but ends up being something big in the long run.”
Thomas was the first player in FSU history to have 100 hits, 30 doubles and 30 stolen bases. He missed out on one accomplishment — a triple to hit for a cycle and got tagged out at third.
“My coach told me to get down, and I tripped and fell flat on my face. I could have easily slid and been safe,” he said. “Being known as the best college player was a great accomplishment,” he added. “A lot of people said I wouldn’t amount to much in baseball.”
When Thomas realized he could do what others said he couldn’t, his confidence spiked.
“Baseball is a game of failure. Adversity is put up against you. The main thing is overcoming adversity and not accepting failure,” he said.
Drafted in the third round of the 2007 First Year Player Draft by the Chicago Cubs, Thomas has been an all-star in the Florida State League with the Daytona Cubs and the Southern League with the Tennessee Smokies. Thomas led Daytona to the 2008 Florida State League championship and was named series MVP after hitting .483 (14 of 29), a homer, eight RBI and scoring nine runs.
In 2009, Thomas played for the Smokies and slammed 11 home runs and was an all-star.
“Thomas was even-keel and upbeat, the whole team fed off that,” said Brandon Guyer, a former Smokies teammate. “Every ball he hit was on the barrel. For a second baseman he had a lot of power and speed. He brings a lot to the table.”
In 2010, Thomas led Southern League second basemen in fielding percentage (.973), was second in league triples (11) and fourth in slugging percentage (.485). Tennessee finished as league runners-up both seasons to Jacksonville. Thomas was an MiLB.com organization all-star. By February 2011 he was traded to the Boston Red Sox and played for the minor league baseball affiliate, the Pawtucket Red Sox. And on Feb. 10 of this year he signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins.
Thomas has relied on his faith to persevere.
“The whole Christian faith is putting up against adversity,” he said. “It shows if Jesus can get through it, you can.”
Baseball chapel is part of his lineup every Sunday as a professional. He talks with teammates about faith.
“I’m not shy about letting people know where I stand and what I believe,” said Thomas, who grew up in Tampa, Fla., and was a member of First Baptist Church, Progress Village.
He has played for the Pawtucket Red Sox in the International League and Portland, Maine, in the Eastern League since joining the Red Sox. A key to his success has been strong defense at second base. He also has played left field and has worked on his approach at the plate.
“I am not too worried about numbers but quality at-bats where I hit the ball hard,” he said. “I am going to try to do whatever it takes to succeed. Everybody is trying to become the best. I keep a level head — I make sure I am not conceited if I am doing well, my head does not get too big. I know a lot of guys who have made it and it shows me I can.”
At 27, he is on-deck for his next career chapter.
“Baseball is America’s pastime. I love playing it,” Thomas said. “I don’t regret any decision I have made. I am happy where I am, and I like where I am going.”
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