Oh That Rob Thomson

The new Yankees bench coach is often mistaken for Robby Thompson, who played for 11 seasons for the San Francisco Giants in the '80s and '90s. This Rob Thomson has never played in the majors, but has held several positions in the Yankees over an 18 year period. Now he gets the biggest on-field opportunity as manager Joe Girardi's right hand man.

But as the Star Ledger's Ed Price tells us, Thomson will be completely prepared for the job. Thomson is the first one to arrive at the Yankees' spring training facility in Tampa, usually around 4 a.m.

Thomson has been planning the Yankees daily spring routine since 1998 and this year is no different. He makes his early arrival at the complex to fine tune the plan he put together the night before. And that plan include contingencies for the often wet Florida weather in February and March.

Thomson assigns the 30 major and minor league coaches and guest instructors to their daily duties. He also lines up catchers and pitchers so each get a "look" at each other.

Thomson's worth has not been lost on the most important man on the field.

"He's extremely valuable," Girardi said, "and during the season he's so prepared it's unbelievable."

Maybe that preparation will one day get Thomson a managerial job at the major league level.