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Bobby Thomson's Scottish Roots
Scottish family reflects on Bobby Thomson's historic home run legacy.
In brief
Scottish family reflects on Bobby Thomson's historic home run legacy. Bobby Thomson's Scottish family acknowledges his iconic home run's global impact despite limited recognition in Scottish sports culture. Originally reported by Mlb.
The Shot Heard 'Round the World
Bobby Thomson's 1951 home run earned the nickname 'the shot heard 'round the world' after nationwide TV and radio broadcasts reached U.S. service members globally.
“It was called 'The shot heard 'round the world', though the newspaper editors who coined it likely had no idea how right they were”
Scottish Recognition
John Tafe, Baseball Scotland president, says Bobby Thomson isn't in Scottish sports folklore but is a novelty for those aware of his legacy.
“Every once in a while, you do come across somebody who's aware of Bobby Thomson, but I wouldn't say it's in everyday Scottish sports folklore”
Scottish Sports Hall of Fame
Thomson was inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 and visited Edinburgh to see the Diamond Devils rename their field after him.
“He came down and did a little ceremony, which basically consisted of taking a photograph with some of the players”
Family Connection
Bobby Thomson's second cousins Iain and Ken grew up in Glasgow but now live in Perth and Linlithgow, Scotland.
“Both now middle-aged, they grew up in Glasgow, but have since moved away to nearby environs, Ken to Linlithgow and Iain to Perth”
Family History
Bobby Thomson was born in a two-room tenement in Glasgow in 1921 with his family living in cramped conditions.
“The census indicates that there were two rooms in the flat, no bathroom, no toilet”
Family Background
Bobby's father James served in World War I and survived a poison gas attack while his uncle died in Iraq during the war.
“Robert Brown Thomson, the full name, [Bobby] was named after him. Bobby's uncle was killed in World War I in horrific circumstances out in what is now Iraq, fighting against the Ottomans”
Family Separation
Bobby's father left the family in New York after 32 months to afford the family's migration to America.
“He was in America for 32 months on his own before he could afford to bring the family across”
Family Connection
Iain traveled to Staten Island before the moon landing in 1969 and met Bobby's family, becoming a celebrity among American teammates.
“I traveled across to Staten Island in the morning before the first moon landing in '69”
Scottish Identity
Bobby Thomson identified with Scottish culture despite being born in Glasgow and moving to America at age two.
“I have always felt Scottish in my blood, my feelings and my thoughts and I know where my roots are”
Family Legacy
The Thomson family shares Scottish values of community support and charity work that Bobby Thomson exemplified.
“In terms of what Bobby's father did, the determination to do the best for his family and to give his family the best opportunity in life, that's a common theme that runs through all the different branches of the family”
At a glance
Bobby Thomson's Scottish family acknowledges his iconic home run's global impact despite limited recognition in Scottish sports culture.
