PHOENIXVILLE >> The greatness of the Phoenixville Area High School sports program’s tradition came to the forefront once again Wednesday afternoon at Doc Kennedy Field.
Former Cleveland Indians All-Star slugger Andre Thornton, a product of the baseball program from his youth days all the way through to American Legion baseball, returned home from Ohio to have his No. 29 retired by the Phantoms.
Like most of his peers in that era, Thornton played all sports year-round in Phoenixville, going from football to basketball and then to baseball in the spring and summer. His many friends and teammates followed suit and also participated in some other sports as well.
Andre’s older brother, Bill, remains active in Phoenixville athletics. Bill currently serves as an assistant baseball coach under second-year head coach Neil Herman, a former assistant coach at West Chester University and Sun Valley High School.
Phoenixville honored Andre Thornton for his overall achievements in life, not solely as a baseball player. He was honored as a husband, father, current CEO of ASW Global in Ohio, community leader, ballplayer and forever a Phoenixville Phantom.
Andre enjoyed a 14-year career in the major leagues. He was originally signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1967, but he subsequently moved on to the Atlanta Braves in a trade. From there, he headed to the Chicago Cubs (three years), Montreal Expos (one-plus years) and finally the Cleveland Indians for the final 11 seasons of his professional career.
The two-time American League All-Star belted 253 home runs during his major league career, finishing in the top five in homers three times in the American League.
He was presented with the Roberto Clemente award in 1979 for his sportsmanship and community involvement. Later, he was given the key to Phoenixville on Andre Thornton Day in 1982.
Andre was impressed by the big expansion that has taken place around Phoenixville in terms of the schools and athletic facilities.
“It’s always fun and an honor to come back to your high school once you see what you’ve done and what you accomplished,” said Thornton. “It is a fun day. I am real pleased to do it.”
His high school head coach was the late Paul Tomko. His American Legion manager was the late Samuel “Nebs” Griffith, who took him for his original tryout with the Phils.
However, longtime Phoenixville baseball coach John “Doc” Kennedy was on hand to see the Thornton festivities Wednesday. Kennedy coached Thornton during his Phoenixville Babe Ruth League all-star championship years. Thornton said the late Chester Miller and Frances McElroy were other coaches who were instrumental in his career.