Ducks' Thon is MLB blue blood

Bloodlines dictated that first baseman Freddie Thon, 27, was born to be a ballplayer. His uncle, Dickie Thon, had a 15-year major-league career. His father, Frankie, a former minor-league player, has been a longtime scout with the Texas Rangers. After playing college ball at Villanova, Freddie was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 18th round of the 2004 MLB amateur draft, spending four seasons with the organization. After reaching Double-A with the White Sox organization in 2008, he split 2009 between the Ducks and the Northern League's Joliet (Ill.) JackHammers. After a full season with Joliet in 2010, Thon returned to Long Island, where he is batting .278 with five home runs and 36 RBIs.

Who has been your most talented teammate?"Rangers catcher Taylor Teagarden. He hasn't really produced the way I thought he would in the big leagues. But when I played with him, he was unbelievable."

As a Puerto Rican native, who is the Puerto Rican player, past or present, that you look up to most?

"Probably Alex Cora. I played with him in winter ball for the past eight years. I think the past few years, I have become the type of player where I try to play the game the right way all the time. I really learned a lot of that from him. I understand the game a lot better because of our conversations."

What have you learned from your father and uncle?

"The biggest thing was playing the game the right way and playing hard, always playing the game to win. There was never any slacking off because if you did, you'd get in some trouble."

Both your uncle and your father suffered serious eye injuries while playing.

"My uncle was an All-Star the year before it happened. He was supposed to be the next big shortstop in the major leagues. They said he was on his way to the Hall of Fame and he got hit in the eye and was never the same. My dad also had to shut his career way short because of it."

What was your main reason for returning to the Ducks?

"I wanted to come back last year, but I couldn't because of a contract situation with my old team in Joliet. I like the team, the atmosphere and I feel good playing here. I knew if they wanted me back, I would be back here at some point."

Why has this team been so successful?

"We have pitching, hitting and defense. We all play the right way. We play to win, and we don't play selfishly."