University of Maine Athletics

David “Zippy” Thompson was the captain of Maine’s 1964 College World Series team, the veteran senior who stabilized the sophomore-laden team that stunned national powers Arizona State and Southern California and finished third in the nation. Thompson hit safely in all five World  Series games, batting .315, and was named to the all-tournament team. It was Thompson’s move to third base mid-way in the season from platooning at second base that solidified Maine’s drive to Omaha, according to teammates and fellow Hall of Famers Joe Ferris and Stump Merrill. Thompson shared the team’s season batting lead, at .333, with another Hall of Famer, Dick DeVarney. He later served as a Marine platoon commander in Vietnam.