Career

Minor League coaching and front office career

Thomson was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 32nd round of the 1985 draft from the University of Kansas. 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.

Major League coach

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 and he became the first Canadian to manage a Major League game since George Gibson for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1934; the Yankees lost 13-4.Thomson also managed the April 5 game due to Girardi's illness. He served as the team's third base coach for six seasons. Prior to the 2015 season, he was named bench coach along with a series of coaching changes.

Criticism

During his time as third base coach, Thomson was regularly criticized for sending runners home who routinely were thrown out at home plate. In 2014, the Yankees were tied with the Angels for the AL lead with 21 players thrown out at home.

Personal life

Thomson resides in Stratford, Ontario with his wife Michelle and their daughters, Jacqueline and Christina.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]