Justin Thompson:

All-star caliber

One word that seems synonymous with the Detroit Tigers' starting pitcher Justin Thompson is injury. The left-hander has had a history of arm injuries plaguing him throughout his professional career.

During the off season Thompson had a small bone spur shaved off and some loose "bodies" removed from his left elbow. This season both he and the Tigers have been struggling so far. Thompson is 1-3 with a 6.33 ERA.

"That one scared me the most. I'd rest and I'd throw again and then BAM! It'd break down. I'd rest-- throw again-- BAM! It'd breakdown." He thought he would be back in a few weeks, but then would throw in the bullpen and his elbow would give out with no warning. "It was aggravating," Thompson said about his left elbow.

Then in 1994-1995 winter ball in Mexico he experienced no problems, following with a good year in 1995. Playing in both single A and double A in 1995 he combined to start 24 games, the most of his professional career season.

In 1996 Thompson was healthy, and had 10 good starts with the Detroit Tigers' triple A team, the Toledo Mudhens. He was called up twice that season to pitch for the Tigers and had two good starts. But when his shoulder injury returned and he missed 10 weeks, struggling through the rest of the season.

"I put my body in new territory, and it's talking to me a little bit." Thompson added, "it's just something I got to work through. I'm sure every player does." Having never thrown more than 147 innings in any professional season, he worked 223 in 1997, averaging seven innings per start while on a 110- pitch limit each outing.

Thompson's proud of his first complete game in Toronto in his first major league season. "I had terrible stuff warming up in the bullpen and I went into the game. Then they scored a run off me and it kind of clicked in for me. All my pitches started working and I went to another level."

Both Rick Adair, Detroit Tigers' pitching coach, and Thompson view two separate starts against the Toronto Blue Jays as some of his best.

Adair praised Thompson's May 6 outing in Toronto where he threw 114 pitches and 82 strikes in a 2-1 loss. "He dominated the game as much as anybody we've had all year." Adair considers Thompson one of the most dominant left-handed pitchers in the majors, not at the caliber of Randy Johnson's physical ability, but in terms of dominating a game.

"His velocity is better than the average left-hander. He has more movement and an above average curve ball and a well above average change-up." Thompson also has good two- and four-seam fastballs and throws consistently in the low 90s with a top speed of 94 m.p.h.

According to Adair, the quiet 25-year-old is one to lead by performance. Thompson did not come across as a rookie in the way he handled himself and always gives a 100 percent effort. "He brings a lot of presence to the club. He's always the same guy. His works habits are always the same, always quality." Both Adair and Detroit Tigers manager Buddy Bell agreed Thompson gave the team a chance at a win when given a little run support. Bell feels fortunate to have "J.T." on the team and stressed he's a player they will "lean on in the next few years, so we got to keep him healthy."

Some of these people included pitching greats, Randy Johnson, the Seattle Mariners over-powering left-hander, Pat Hentgen of the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees' David Cone. In his first All-Star appearance Thompson pitched a scoreless inning and recorded one strike-out in the 3-1 victory for the American League.

After the All-Star game he experienced slight tenderness in his elbow and missed his next scheduled start. Thompson believes he could have made his start but the decision was made "not to push it and make it into something more than it already was."

He and his trainer also spend leisure time together by golfing or fishing. Thompson is also a fan of hunting, three of the most common hobbies for baseball players. "Our off season's in the winter when hunting season; we travel so many cities and see so many different golf courses; and spring training in Florida and fishing is the best there."

His Texan roots are betrayed when he admits his love of western movies and country music. With a broad grin Thompson added he's also taking up the guitar.

He dominated as a senior in hitting and pitching and the next thing he knew he was drafted by the Tigers in June 1991 as their first pick, and his professional career began. "I just loved playing it. You play about every position till you find the one that you really love, and pitching is what I really enjoyed."

Thompson believes the die-hard Tiger fans will increase in number with the more wins the team gets and with a new stadium. He hears a lot of positive talk about the Tigers outside the stadium and is encouraged by it. "They'll just have to bear with us as we re-develop. (As a) young team we are going to win some games and we're going to make some mistakes."

Maybe one day soon All-Star will be the word to associate with Thompson instead of injury.