Thon Leaves Astros for Rest of Season

Houston shortstop Dickie Thon, frustrated by his slow comeback from a beaning three years ago, left the Astros Friday night and said he would not play for the remainder of the season.

“I am through this year,” Thon said. “I just don’t want to play this year because I think it’s dangerous.”

Asked if he would retire, Thon said, “I don’t want to use that word. I don’t know what will happen later.”

Thon walked into Manager Hal Lanier’s office about 3:30 p.m. and told Lanier he was leaving the team.

An Astro spokesman said Lanier was surprised by Thon’s decision.

Thon has never been able to recapture the form that made him an All-Star in 1983, since he was hit above the left eye by a pitch from Mike Torrez of the New York Mets on April 8, 1984.

Thon’s vision, which had been better than 20-20 in his left eye, was reduced to 20-300 after the incident. It has since improved to about 20-40.

“I made this decision because I have the eye problem. If not for that, I’d be playing for the Houston Astros,” Thon said Friday night. “I feel a lot for that team, but I’m not seeing the ball, and I’m not able to help the team.”

Thon was interviewed as he arranged a flight out of Philadelphia for an undisclosed destination.

The Astros recalled infielder Bert Pena from Tucson to replace Thon. Pena, who will join the Astros today, was hitting .215 with 4 homers for the Toros in the Pacific Coast League.

Thon, 29, has been on the disabled list three times since the injury, and his vision has remained blurred. He was batting .212 with 1 home run and 3 runs batted in this season. He has made 6 errors in 32 games.

This was the second time that Thon has left the Astros this season. He walked out of spring training because of blurred vision but returned to the team shortly before Opening Day. He was put on the restricted list and spent a 20-day rehabilitation period at Tucson, where he batted .333.

Thon was reactivated by the Astros on May 9 and has platooned with Craig Reynolds at shortstop.