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Suki Deen, University Relations Associate
31 Reads Way
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 295-1164
FAX (302) 295-1137
suki.r.deen@wilmu.edu
Milt Thompson of the Philadelphia Phillies Speaks at Wilmington University
February 5, 2008—New Castle, DE. Star hitting coach for the Philadelphia Phillies Milt Thompson gave a speech yesterday in honor of Black History month at Wilmington University's New Castle campus. The event was part of the Sports Management - Sports Talk Series organized by Wilmington University.
Milton Bernard "Milt" Thompson, a graduate from Howard University, was a major league left fielder for the Atlanta Braves among several other teams before being traded to the Phillies. In 2004 Thompson became the hitting coach for the Phillies were he has been every since.
Milt Thompson, hitting coach for the Philadelphia Phillies stands with Janice Wardle, adjunct professor and Sports Management and Internship Coordinator at Wilmington University.
During the speech, Thompson said he has been around the game of baseball from as far back as he can remember. Showing the audience a picture of his grandfather, Milt Thompson reflected on how his grandfather couldn't afford to be part of the Negro Leagues, professional baseball leagues that had predominantly African-American team members, so instead after the games his grandfather would participate in barnstorming. Barnstorming was a popular activity in the first half of the twentieth century, a time when segregation was commonplace, that involved young African-American males traveling from town to town to play a baseball game usually following the formal scheduled games of the Negro Leagues.
Thompson explained how his father taught him how to play the game. "I played for the love of the game, and I learned to respect the game." Recalled Thompson. With a full baseball scholarship Thompson attended Howard University. Soon after graduating he was drafted to the Atlanta Braves, but it wasn't an easy road. Over a period of six years he went through the system playing Amateur ball to American Amateur ball and back down again until he finally made it to pro ball and got his chance to shine. "Good things will happen, but you have to work hard," stated Thompson, "When you believe deep down in your heart that you can make it happen, then no matter what anybody says, you can make it happen."
As part of the presentation Thompson showed the audience how a baseball player has to slow the game down in his mind. "If you have a 90 mile per hour ball coming at you, you have to slow the game down." Said Thompson. He also explained how important it is for baseball players to understand body language. Watching the pitchers fingers, posture and body language can help predict how he is going to throw the ball.
Finally Thompson talked about the declining number of African Americans in baseball today. He spoke about how inner city children need to be given the options to play baseball. Every year thousands of dollars are being pumped into inner city youth programs, but there are no fields for the youth to play on, and what's worse is there is no one there to teach them. Thompson suggests getting retired baseball players to go out and teach the youth. Either way he hopes that more African Americans will be encouraged to take up the great game of baseball.
For more information on Milt Thompson and the Philadelphia Phillies visit http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=phi
For more information on Sports Management visit
http://www.wilmu.edu/business/sportsmgt.html