Larry Shenk: Who is Tom Turkey on US turkey day?

Tommy Herr, pictured above, is one of the second baseman on Larry Shenk’s Philadelphia Phillies’ “All-Tom Team.”

November 26, 2020

By Larry Shenk

Philadelphia Phillies

Who is Tom Turkey?

An answer to that quizzical question.....plus the unveiling of a Phun-Philled Phillies “Tom” roster. Perfectly timed for Thanksgiving Day trivia.

“Do you know why the male turkey is often referred to as ‘Tom’ Turkey?

Rumor has it that Ben Franklin was mad at Thomas Jefferson for opposing his idea to have the turkey as our National Bird, so good ole’ Ben mockingly called the turkey ‘Tom’ after Mr. Jefferson.” That is Google’s response as to who the heck is Tom Turkey.

In honour of Tom Turkey, a Twitter follower suggested we come up with an “all-Tom” Phillies team. Ya know, players whose first names are Tom. With numerous assists, here’s our “Tom Phillies roster”......and a perfectly-named manager.

Pitchers

Thomas Barry, LHP, 1 game, .2 inning, 1904

Tom Edens

Tom Gordon

Tom Gorman

Tommy Greene

Tom Hilgendorf

Tom Hughes

Tom Hume

Tommy Hunter

Thomas Jacquez

Tom Lanning

Tom Lipp, 1897, 1 G, 15.00 ERA

Tom Newell

Tom Qualters

Tom Quinlan

Tommy Reis

Tom Seaton

Tom Smith, 1895

Tom Sullivan

Tommy Thomas

Tom Underwood

Tom Vickery, 24-21 record, 1890

Tom Zachary

Catchers

Tom Dowse, 1892

Tom Gunning, 1887

Tom Nieto

Tom Padden

Tom Prince

First base

Tommy Hutton

Tommy Joseph

Second base

Thomas Barrett

Tom Delahanty, Ed’s brother, 1894

Tommy Herr

Shortstop

Tommy Brown

Tom Foley

Tom Murray, 1 G, 2 AB, 2 SO, 1894

Tomas Perez

Tom Thevenow

Third base

Tom Downey

Tommy Glaviano

Outfield

Tom Dowd, 1897

Tom Fleming

Tom Lynch, 1884-85

Tom Marsh

Unknown Position

Tom Maher, 1902, 1 AB, 1 SO

Broadcaster

Tom McCarthy

Phillie Phanatic’s Best Friend

Tom Burgoyne

Coach

Tom Ferrick

Manager

Turkey Tyson batted once in the first game of an April 23, 1944 Phillies doubleheader in Boston and was hitless. End of story!