Joe Thurston is a former professional baseball player who played primarily as a second baseman and shortstop. He was born on September 29, 1979, in Fairfield, California, and attended Sacramento City College before being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth round of the 1999 MLB draft.
Thurston made his major league debut with the Dodgers in 2002, but he struggled to establish himself as a regular player and was eventually traded to the Boston Red Sox in 2003. He spent the next few years bouncing between the majors and minors, playing for several different teams including the Kansas City Royals, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Philadelphia Phillies.
In 2008, Thurston signed with the St. Louis Cardinals and had his most successful season in the majors. He played in 132 games and hit .225 with 3 home runs and 30 RBIs. He also played solid defense at second base and shortstop, helping the Cardinals win the National League Central division title.
After his stint with the Cardinals, Thurston continued to play in the minors and in various international leagues. He played in Japan for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in 2012 and 2013, and he also played in the Mexican League and the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
Overall, Thurston played in 480 major league games over the course of his career, hitting .226 with 7 home runs and 60 RBIs. He was known for his versatility and ability to play multiple positions, as well as his solid defense and work ethic.
Since retiring from baseball, Thurston has stayed involved in the sport as a coach and instructor. He has worked with several youth baseball programs and has also served as a hitting coach for the independent league team, the Sonoma Stompers.
In conclusion, Joe Thurston had a solid but unspectacular career in the major leagues, playing for several different teams and primarily serving as a utility infielder. He was known for his versatility and work ethic, and he has continued to stay involved in the sport as a coach and instructor.
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