Thon, who played for the Phillies from 1989-91, said that it was an easy decision to donate his kidney to his son, Joe Thon.

He wasn’t concerned with any risks or issues he might have from the procedure but was instead focused on helping his son however he could.

“It was a no-brainer,” Dickie Thon told MLB.com. “I made up my mind.”

Joe Thon had been battling a kidney disease since 2011 when he was diagnosed with one after getting a routine physical during spring training.

Joe was drafted by the Blue Jays in the fifth round of the 2010 MLB Draft and went on to play seven seasons of minor league baseball before getting into coaching.

Joe’s condition worsened in January 2025, according to MLB.com. He was set to try to get on a transplant list, but each of his family members wanted to try to donate their kidney first, including his four sisters. Joe Thon’s father Dickie was the best match.

“I didn’t even think about it,” Dickie told MLB.com “I just feel like that I wanted to do it and I needed to do it. And he has a lot of potential. So, to me, it was very rewarding.”

Joe told the website that he was hesitant at first to take his 67-year-old father’s kidney, but he eventually agreed to do so after receiving some urging.

“I didn’t want to put him in a tough spot, either,” Joe said. “But the doctors assured me that everything was good. It wouldn’t really take too much of a toll physically, but you hate to put somebody in a spot like that. But it was best for me and my family, too. Dad was really adamant he wanted to do it.”

The transplant surgery was performed in mid-December with no complications. Joe and Dickie were released from the hospital less than a week later.

“I’m very glad I was able to help him,” Dickie said. “I had a good life and I’m not afraid of whatever happens.”

In addition to the Phillies, Dickie Thon played for the Angels, Astros, Padres, Rangers and Brewers during his MLB career.

He made the All-Star game in 1983 while playing for the Astros as he hit .286 with 20 home runs and 79 RBIs that year.

Across 15 MLB seasons, Thon hit .264 with 71 homers and 435 RBIs.