VOICE COMMAND
Among the reasons general manager Brian Cashman gave for not bringing back Joe Girardi was that he believed it was time for “a new voice and a fresh voice” in the Yankees’ clubhouse.
One of the challenges Rob Thomson had as the first person to interview for the job was to prove that he could provide that voice after serving as Girardi’s bench coach — and spending the past 28 years in the Yankees’ organization.
“I don’t want to compare myself to Joe,” Thomson said during a Thursday conference call after his Wednesday interview. “I love Joe, but I know this: my strengths are my communication and my trust with the players. And because of that trust, we can implement more things into our game: analytics or sports science. I think I can get through to the players.”
Thomson is highly regarded by both the players and in the front office and hopes that sets him apart in the process that began in earnest with his meeting Wednesday, one Thomson said lasted between five and six hours and included Cashman, assistant GMs Jean Afterman and Michael Fishman, vice president of baseball operations Tim Naehring, Dan Giese from the scouting department and “others along the way.”
It was up to Thomson to prove that he would have a better relationship with the players than Girardi did, since Cashman talked about the importance of the “connectivity and communication level with the players in that clubhouse.’’
Whether his familiarity works in his favor remains to be seen.
The 54-year-old has been with the Yankees since 1990, when he was the third base coach for Single-A Fort Lauderdale. His only managerial experience came in 1995 with Single-A Oneonta in the New York-Penn League.
He spent the past four years as Girardi’s bench coach and also served as the third base coach for six seasons. And he was previously the major league field coordinator, as well as director of player development.
One of Thomson’s duties as bench coach was his role in replay challenges, which came into question because of the debacle in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Indians, when Girardi didn’t challenge a call that a Chad Green pitch didn’t hit Lonnie Chisenhall. Chisenhall was awarded first base, Francisco Lindor followed with a grand slam and the Yankees blew a five-run lead.
Thomson, on the dugout phone with Brett Weber — who was looking at video of the play — said he learned from the experience.
“Always keep your eyes on the field,” Thomson said. “[Gary San- chez] reacted to the play and the hitter reacted to the play. If I kept my eye on the field, I would have taken more time on the phone with Weber.”
Otherwise, his résumé is solid and he is a believer in analytics.
“Numbers have evolved so much,” Thomson said. “They’re such great tools to have and if you’re not paying attention to it and you’re not utilizing the analysts upstairs, I think you’re kind of foolish.”
Prior to Wednesday, Thomson had only had one managerial interview, and that was over the phone with the Blue Jays in 2010. John Farrell ended up getting the job.
“I’ve always wanted to manage,” Thomson said. “Every game I’ve ever watched or been a part of, I’ve kind of managed it in my mind.”
And if he is passed over as manager, Thomson said he wants to remain on the coaching staff. Like the rest of last season’s staff, Thomson contract expired at the end of last month and teams were given permission to reach out. Thomson’s said he has been in touch with other teams “just in case.”
“I’m a Yankee,” Thomson said. “I’ve been here for 28 years. If I didn’t get this job, I’d certainly want to come back because this is what I consider my home.”