Thomson Acclimating To First Spring Training As Phillies Manager

Rob Thomson has spent spring training with the Philadelphia Phillies before, but his first time as manager comes as an adjustment.

Joe Girardi was in charge when the Philadelphia Phillies arrived in Clearwater, Fla., for spring training last season.

Rob Thomson was the bench coach.

Fast forward a little bit and Girardi was fired after a 22-29 start. Thomson took over and everyone knows the story – “Philly Rob” led the Phillies within two victories of a World Series title.

The scene was a bit different in Clearwater last week with Thomson running the team.

It’s a responsibility that is still an adjustment believe it or not.

“Just kind of walking around the clubhouse and talking to people, which is good,” Thomson told reporters. “But I’m kind of lost at times.”

The Major League Baseball season is a 162-game marathon in the regular season followed by a potential playoff run.

No big speeches are needed in spring training.

“It’s a little bit early for that,” Thomson told reporters. “I did tell them a little bit about what’s important -- it’s our own expectations, not somebody else’s expectations. Because to me, that’s just noise. You can’t control what other people’s expectations are. My expectations are you prepare, you compete, you're selfless and you have fun. You have to deal with (external expectations), but you can’t internalize it. Like anything else, just make sure you stay composed and understand that you’re staying within yourself and your own expectations.”

Thomson did address the players. He understands the value of daily communication.

“It was mainly about health,” Thomson said. “Just not getting too far ahead of themselves, staying under control, keeping your feet underneath you, ramping up naturally like you normally do. Just stay healthy. I always say there’s three parts of the season that really make me nervous: the first week of Spring Training, the first week of Spring Training games and the first week of regular season games, because it’s just a different level of intensity.”

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