Rob Thomson may not be a household name in world of  Sarnia-Lambton sports but he should be.  Playing a key role in one of the world’s premier sports franchises – 3^rd Base Coach of the New York Yankees – Thomson  reflected on his major league career before a Yankees-Jays game earlier this season at Rogers Centre.

This week he may become one of the few if not the first Sarnia-Lambton resident ever to win a World Series Championship. (if you know of another email us at info@sarniasports.com with details we can post)

This is his first year as 3^rd base coach.  Last year he was the Bench Coach for the Yankees and had a chance to be the team’s Manager for several games when the regular Manager Joe Girardi was ill, the first time since 1934 that a Canadian had managed a Major League baseball team.

The Corunna-raised coach spoke with Sarniasports.com reporter Ryan Winch, a local SCITS graduate and Laurier University student, on the field during the pre-game warm-up.

Q: What Canadian influences got you interested in baseball?

A: Well when I was growing up my older brothers (Tom and Rick) played baseball in Sarnia and in Corunna and then you know my father Jack was a big baseball fan and a Tigers fan.  I think as a kid growing up there are youth coaches that are a big influence and obviously all my coaches in Sarnia and in Stratford had major influences on my baseball career.
 

Q: What do miss most about your hometown and the Sarnia-Lambton area?

A: Oh just probably the old friends. Growing up there I had a lot of friends and I try to keep in touch with as many as I can. It’s tough because I live in Tampa, Florida now, and you are so far away, but I try to keep in touch with them and that’s probably the biggest thing that I miss.

Q: Having been the Director of Player Development for the Yankees what tips would you give to youth in Canada looking to get into professional baseball? Being in Canada how can you attract American scouts’ attention?

A: I think that the thing that you’ve got to do is you’ve got to work extremely hard and especially being in Canada you have to work hard, you have to play hard, you have to play well, and the people will find you if you play well. But… if you don’t work you probably don’t have much of a chance to do anything.
 

Q: When playing other teams is there some sort of camaraderie with other Canadian coaches or players?

A: Yes I think so.   There’s a lot of Canadians playing in the big leagues now and I try to, as much as I can, reach out in a professional way and say hello and introduce myself as a fellow Canadian and try to meet some of these guys. 

Q: Would you consider playing a larger role in Canadian national baseball such as at the World Baseball Classic? Would you be interested in a larger role in the future?

A: I think so. The only problem is I run all of our spring training and usually that tournament, the world tournament, is played during spring training. So, the Canadian contingent asked me if I wanted to help out this year but due to my job I just wasn’t able to do it.  I’d really like to get involved but at this point it’s tough.

Q: Last year you had a chance to manage a few games. Having had time to reflect on them now what are your thoughts on managing and how does it compare to what you do now? Is it something you would be interested in doing more of in the future?

A:   You know, I think anyone who coaches and does the things that I do would have some interest in managing but you really can’t get too far ahead of yourself. You have to focus on the task at hand and I’m going to do the best job I can as third base coach or bench coach or whatever kind of coach I am.  That experience, the 4 or 5 games I managed last year, was a great experience and was a lot of fun and someday we’ll do it again.

Q: What is it like working for the Yankees with the huge amount of media attention? Are you ever recognized on the street or does that not affect you?   A: It’s not hard for me to go out in public but some people do recognize you because you know you are on TV every night and coaching 3rd base your face is always on television. But as far as the media is concerned you really get used to it and all the people hanging around.  You know, though, they’re all good people so it’s not a bother whatsoever.   Q: You've been coaching baseball for over two decades now.  What would you say is the hardest thing about coaching?   A: I think the most difficult thing is this is a tough business and being away from your wife and kids and your family for an extended period of time is probably the toughest thing.  As far as on the field I love every aspect of it. Being with people and trying to help them reach their goals and try to help them be the best player they possibly can and the best person they possibly can. That’s not an issue but being away from the family is.

Q: Are there any particular moments in your career that you would say are the highlights?

A: I was in the ball park when Alex Rodriguez hit his 500^th home run, I was in the ball park when Jeter made that catch against Boston when he went right into the stands, and there are a number of those things that kind of stand out for you. The biggest highlight for me would be to be on the field for a World Championship and that’s what I’m trying to get to.

Q: Do you have a favorite Canadian Athlete?

A: Probably Gordie Howe would be my favorite athlete of all time. Growing up I was a Red Wing fan. I was kind of at the tail end of his career when he moved on to Hartford in the WHA but I always liked the way he went about his business. He was a true professional, a great player, and a tough, tough man.

Q: So you are still a big hockey fan?

A: Oh yeah, big time.

Q: Anything else you’d like to say.

A: No, just happy to be here in Canada.

Bio: Born in Sarnia and raised in Corunna.  Followed the Tigers as a young baseball player and fan.  Enters his 19th season as a member of the Yankees organization, his first as Bench Coach for Joe Girardi...For one season as Major League Field Coordinator, acted as the communication bridge between the Yankees' Advance Scouts and the coaching staff...also, in conjunction with the coaches, oversaw the Major-League developmental plan for Spring Training...spent the previous three seasons as a special assignment instructor...Was named to the Yankees Major League coaching staff on Nov. 4, 2003...Joined the Yankees organization in 1990 as a third-base coach for Class-A Fort Lauderdale...coached in the Yankees' system for five years before taking over as Manager of Class-A Oneonta of the NY-Penn League in 1995...served as the third-base coach at Triple-A Columbus in 1996 and 1997 before moving to the Yankees' front office as a Field Coordinator in 1998...Was promoted to Director of Player Development in 2000 and named Vice President of Minor League Development prior to the 2003 season. Playing Career: Attended the University of Kansas and was selected in the 32nd round of the 1985 draft by the Detroit Tigers. Was a catcher and a third baseman in the Tigers system from 1985-1988 before joining the Tigers' minor-league coaching staff in 1988. Resides in Tampa, FL, with his wife Michele and their daughters, Jacqueline and Christina.

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