of .452. For three seasons, he was in the top 5 in home runs in his league, and he was in his league's top 5 in walks four times. Thornton finished his career with more bases on balls (876) than strikeouts (851). Personal life In 1977, Thornton and his son Andy (André Jr.) were injured in an automobile accident that took the life of his wife Gertrude and three-year-old daughter Theresa Gertrude. In 1983 he wrote a book, Triumph Born of Tragedy, which is an account of the accident and his Christian faith. In 1979, Thornton married Gail Jones, a singer and former member of The Jones Sisters Trio gospel group. In addition to André Jr., the couple have two other sons, Jonathan and Dean. Today, Thornton is a businessman. He is president and CEO of ASW Global, a supply chain management company headquartered in Mogadore, Ohio. The Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to a Major League Baseball player who demonstrates sportsmanship and community involvement, was presented to Thornton in 1979. After his playing career, Thornton continued to be involved in the Cleveland community, sitting on the boards of the Cleveland Council on World Affairs, the Cleveland Zoological Society, the Cuyahoga Community College Fund and Nyack College; being a member of Leadership Cleveland; and through involvement with The First Tee of Cleveland, a golf program which is geared to provide youth with educational programs and facilities that promote character development. In August 2007, Thornton was inducted into the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame along with Jim Bagby Sr., Mike Garcia and Charles Nagy. Thornton is also a member of the minor league Reading Phillies Hall of Fame. The Indians also named Thornton as a member of their "Top 100 Greatest Indians." Andre Thornton Park, on the north side of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, opened in August 2010. See also List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle References Further reading Indians All-Time Team via Wayback Machine External links 1949 births Living people African-American baseball players African-American Christians Águilas Cibaeñas players American expatriate baseball players in the Dominican Republic American expatriate baseball players in Canada American League All-Stars Baseball players from Alabama Chicago Cubs players Cleveland Indians players Eugene Emeralds players Florida Instructional League Phillies players Huron Phillies players Major League Baseball designated hitters Major League Baseball first basemen Montreal Expos