Former Houston Astros All-Star shortstop Dickie Thon made the most meaningful assist of his life in December, donating a kidney to his son, Joe Thon, during a successful transplant procedure at Houston Methodist Hospital.
Thon, 67, didn’t hesitate when doctors determined he was the best donor match for his 34-year-old son. Several family members, including Joe’s four sisters, were tested before physicians confirmed Dickie as the most compatible candidate.
A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Joe Thon was first diagnosed with kidney disease in 2011 during a routine Spring Training physical shortly after being drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth round. Doctors discovered fluid around his heart and lungs, and further testing revealed the underlying condition before he had played a professional game.
Persevering Through Baseball and Beyond
Despite severe fatigue, Joe pushed through seven seasons in the minor leagues and reached Double-A. He later transitioned into coaching within the Astros organization, serving as a development coach at Single-A Fayetteville in 2021, managing there in 2022, and later managing at Double-A Corpus Christi.
A Family Steps In
His condition worsened during the 2024 season, and he was placed on peritoneal dialysis as his kidney function declined. That’s when the family began searching for a donor. Joe initially hesitated to accept his father’s kidney, concerned about the risks at Dickie’s age, but doctors assured both men that he was healthy enough to proceed and that the surgery carried minimal risk.
Both procedures went smoothly in December. Dickie entered surgery first, followed shortly by Joe. The two were discharged from the hospital in under a week, and doctors told Joe it could take about a year before he feels fully back to normal.
A Legacy of Toughness
Dickie Thon’s toughness has long been part of baseball lore. In 1983, he earned an All-Star selection after hitting .286 with 20 home runs, 79 RBIs and 34 stolen bases. His career trajectory changed dramatically on April 8, 1984, when a pitch from Mets starter Mike Torrez struck him in the face, fracturing the orbital bone around his eye. Though he returned and played nine more seasons, lingering depth perception issues kept him from regaining his All-Star form.
Even so, Thon remained active in baseball after his playing days — while consistently keeping family first.