Phillies: Rob Thomson to interview for bench coach job
Phillies manager Gabe Kapler has multiple jobs available on his bench
Yankees bench coach Rob Thomson will interview for the Phillies vacant bench coach job, according to WFAN. Thomson is also a candidate for the Yankees manager position after Joe Girardi was fired after the Houston Astros eliminated New York in the ALCS.
Thomson is deeply ingrained in the player development aspect of the game having worked his way up through the Yankees organization. After a brief playing career in the Detroit Tigers farm system, Thomson was a minor league coach for Detroit. In 1990 New York hired Thomson as a minor league base coach, which led to his role in player development.
From 1990 to 2008 Thomson served in multiple player development roles for the Yankees, including Field Coordinator, Director of Player Development, and Vice President of Minor League Development. He was hired to Girardi’s staff in 2008, and was on hand for New York’s World Series victory over the Phillies the following season.
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Thomson served as the Yankees third base coach, bench coach, and interim manager for two games when Girardi fell ill in 2008.
Hiring Thomson hangs on the Yankees managerial search that stands to run into the winter meetings next month. He’s one of several candidates interviewing for the job along with Eric Wedge, Carlos Beltran, Hensley Meulens, Aaron Boone and Chris Woodward.
With a deep background in player development, Thomson aligns with the hiring of Kapler and third base coach Dusty Wathan. The organization is taking a clear approach towards hiring those with minor league backgrounds, and Thomson’s history with the Yankees is exemplary.
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Former Phillie Chase Utley has also been connected to the bench coach job, although he hasn’t officially retired after losing the World Series as a member of the Dodgers. Kapler also needs to fill the first base coach job and iron out his pitching coaches.