after playing for several minor league teams, thies joined the pittsburgh pirates in 1954, pitching in 34 games (33 starts) while collecting a 3–9 record and a 3.87 earned run average in 130 innings. in addition, he hurled three complete games, including a three-hit shutout on august 13 against the philadelphia phillies at connie mack stadium. his era was the second-best for the last-place pirates, being surpassed only by dick littlefield (3.60).