Conversation so far:
Did Sam Thompson win a lot of games?
Despite appearing in only 119 games in the outfield, he led the league in outfield fielding percentage (.974), outfield assists (28), and double plays from the outfield (11).
How many games did he play?
" As a team, however, the Phillies fell to eighth place in the National League with a 62-68 record.
Did they make it to the playoffs?
However, Thompson opted to leave the team in May 1898 and return to his home in Detroit.
Why did he leave the team?
His sudden retirement has been attributed to a "combination of homesickness and chronic back pain." Other accounts indicate that.
Were there any other reasons?
tension with manager Stallings contributed to Thompson's decision to retire.
Are there any other interesting aspects about this article?
In 1897, at age 37, Thompson was sidelined by pain and appeared in only three games.
What kind of pain?
chronic back pain.

Question: What caused the pain?
Self-contained rewrite: What caused the chronic back pain for Sam Thompson?