Rob Thomson
Encyclopedia
Robert Thomson is the third base coach for the New York Yankees
. He served as bench coach for the season after serving as Major League Field Coordinator for the organization.
Thomson was selected by the Detroit Tigers
in the 32nd round of the 1985 draft. He played catcher
and third base
in the Tigers' minor league system until 1988, when he became a minor league coach for the team. In 1990, Thomson joined the Yankees organization as a third base coach for the team's Class-A affiliate in Fort Lauderdale. He moved into the front office in 1998 as a Field Coordinator, and became Director of Player Development in 2000. Prior to the 2003 season, he was named Vice President of Minor League Development, and was named to the Major League coaching staff in November of the same year.
On September 27, 2006, Thomson took over as first base coach in place of Tony Peña
, who learned before the game that his father had died. He filled in at the position for four games, as Peña returned in time for the season finale on October 1.
On April 4, 2008, Yankees manager Joe Girardi
fell ill with a respiratory infection and designated Thomson to manage that night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays
. It was Thomson's first major league game as a manager; the Yankees lost 13–4. Thomson also managed the April 5 game due to Girardi's illness.
Thomson resides in Tampa, Florida
with his wife Michelle and their daughters, Jacqueline and Christina.
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. He served as bench coach for the season after serving as Major League Field Coordinator for the organization.
Thomson was selected by the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
in the 32nd round of the 1985 draft. He played catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
and third base
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
in the Tigers' minor league system until 1988, when he became a minor league coach for the team. In 1990, Thomson joined the Yankees organization as a third base coach for the team's Class-A affiliate in Fort Lauderdale. He moved into the front office in 1998 as a Field Coordinator, and became Director of Player Development in 2000. Prior to the 2003 season, he was named Vice President of Minor League Development, and was named to the Major League coaching staff in November of the same year.
On September 27, 2006, Thomson took over as first base coach in place of Tony Peña
Tony Peña
Antonio Francisco Peña Padilla is a former professional baseball player, manager and current coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Pirates, Cardinals, Red Sox, Indians, White Sox, and Astros. Peña was the manager of the Kansas City Royals between 2002 and 2005. He...
, who learned before the game that his father had died. He filled in at the position for four games, as Peña returned in time for the season finale on October 1.
On April 4, 2008, Yankees manager Joe Girardi
Joe Girardi
Joseph Elliott Girardi is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager of the New York Yankees. During a 15-year playing career, he played from 1989–2003 for the Chicago Cubs, the Colorado Rockies, the New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals...
fell ill with a respiratory infection and designated Thomson to manage that night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
. It was Thomson's first major league game as a manager; the Yankees lost 13–4. Thomson also managed the April 5 game due to Girardi's illness.
Thomson resides in Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
with his wife Michelle and their daughters, Jacqueline and Christina.