A Washington DC native, Thompson came up with the Braves and spent nine seasons with the Phillies and Cardinals before coming to the Astros in 1994 in a deadline deal for pitcher Tom Edens.

Thompson got into just nine games before a strike halted the season then played the 1995 season in Houston. He registered a .229 average with three homers over that time. He then ended his career playing for the Dodgers and Rockies. Over his 13 seasons, he compiled a .274 average with 47 homers and 214 steals.