Sam Thompson was a professional baseball player who had a long and successful career in the late 19th century and early 20th century. He was born in Danville, Virginia in 1860 and began his professional career in 1885 with the Detroit Wolverines of the National League. He was known for his powerful hitting and was one of the most feared hitters in the league. He was also a great fielder and base runner, making him a complete player.

Thompson was a member of the Detroit Wolverines for two years before joining the Philadelphia Phillies in 1887. He would spend the next nine seasons with the Phillies and become a star player. He led the league in home runs in 1887 and 1888 and was a key member of the Phillies team that won the National League pennant in 1894. He was also a three-time All-Star and led the league in RBIs in 1895.

Thompson finished his career with the Detroit Tigers in 1906. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974. He finished his career with a .331 batting average, 2,053 hits, and 1,249 RBIs. He was one of the most feared hitters of his era and was a key member of several successful teams. He is remembered as one of the greatest players of his era and is still revered by baseball fans today.