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Hall of Fame

Syd (Hall of Fame)

Sydnor W. "Syd" Thrift

  • Class
    1949
  • Induction
    1997
  • Sport(s)
    Baseball
  • Four-year letter-winner in baseball.
  • All-State First Team in 1946.
  • All-State Honorable Mention as pitcher and first baseman in 1947, 1948 and 1949.
  • Following graduation, played in the New York Yankees farm system.
  • Served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
  • From 1953-56, was a high school teacher and coach as well as a part-time scout for the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates.
  • Became Pirates’ scouting supervisor in 1957.
  • Left Pittsburgh following the 1967 season to join the Kansas City Royals as scouting director.
  • Founded the Kansas City Royals Baseball Academy in 1970.
  • Following two years with the Oakland Athletics, started a successful real estate business in Fairfax, Va.
  • Became general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1985.
  • General Manager of the Year in 1988 following a surprising second-place finish in the NL East.
  • Named vice president of baseball operations for the New York Yankees in 1989.
  • Joined the Baltimore Orioles in 1994, was the team’s vice president of baseball operations from 1999-2002.
  • Served as a consultant to the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
  • Spent 50 years in professional baseball.
  • In 1990, worked with sportswriter Barry Shapiro on the book The Game According to Syd.
  • Received an honorary Doctorate of Laws from Randolph-Macon.
  • Received Distinguished Alumnus Award from Randolph-Macon.
  • In 1995, received the Edwin Rommel Award for years of contribution to the sport of baseball.
  • Inducted into the Middle Atlantic Major League Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame in 1996.
  • Passed away on September 18, 2006 at the age of 77.
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