Bobby La Rue Thompson (November 3, 1953 – April 25, 2011) was an outfielder in Major League Baseball, playing mainly at centerfield for the Texas Rangers during the 1978 season.

[1] Following his graduation from Harding University High School, Thompson became the first African American born in Charlotte to join the Major Leagues.

He was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 1972 amateur draft, and played six years in the Rangers Minor league system before joining the big team on April 16, 1978.

[2][3] In his only major league season, Thompson served as a reserve outfielder for Al Oliver, Juan Beníquez and Bobby Bonds, being also used in pinch-hitting and pinch-running duties while appearing in 64 games.

In a six-season minor league career, he hit .273 and 29 home runs in 520 games.