Former Phillies general manager Lee Thomas, the architect of the beloved 1993 National League championship-winning club, died at his home in St. Louis on Wednesday. He was 86.
Thomas played eight seasons in the big leagues from 1961 to 1968 as a first baseman and outfielder and made the American League All-Star team in 1962 as a member of the Los Angeles Angels.
After spending a few years in the St. Louis Cardinals front office, Thomas was hired to be the Phillies vice president of player personnel in 1988. His biggest trades include John Kruk and Randy Ready from the Padres for Chris James in 1989, Terry Mulholland, Dennis Cook and Charlie Hayes from the Giants for Steve Bedrosian and Rick Parker a few weeks later and Curt Schilling from the Astros for Jason Grimsley in 1992.