NAME: Joseph William Thurston

BIRTHDATE: 9/27/1979

WEIGHT: 210

HEIGHT: 5'11

BATS: Left

THROWS: Right

MLB DEBUT: 9/2/2002

COLLEGE: Sacramento City CC, CA

HOMETOWN: Vallejo CA

Graduated from Vallejo (Calif.) High School in 1997...was originally selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 45th round of the 1997 First-Year Player Draft, but did not sign...opted to attend Sacramento Community College, winning back-to-back state championships in 1998 and 1999...was named MVP of the 1999 California Community College tournament...enjoys playing the piano and creating his own music on the computer...resides in Vallejo, Calif.