CLEARWATER, Fla. — Nothing like a spring training nod to home. Sort of.
The Phillies played host to Team Canada, losing 5-3 in an exhibition on Wednesday at BayCare Ballpark. Canada is preparing for the World Baseball Classic, and Philadelphia continues its work in Clearwater.
And like most games on this side of March, the score wasn’t the point. Rob Thomson also got a kick out of the loss, considering the opponent.
“I’m okay,” he said. “I’d be better if we beat Canada.”
Thomson hails from Sarnia, Ontario, and grew up nearby in Corunna. Baseball was always part of his life, but the pathway to higher competition didn’t fully open until he returned to Sarnia as a teenager and began seeing a better level of play.
That led him to the Stratford Hillers, a club in the Intercounty Baseball League, a circuit founded in 1919 and now known as the Canadian Baseball League. The experience helped shape him and put him on the map.
His success caught the attention of Dick Groch, who recruited him to St. Clair Community College in Port Huron, Michigan, not far from home. Groch later became a Yankees scout, helped Thomson get into the organization as a coach in 1990 and signed a shortstop named Derek Jeter.
In baseball circles, the late Groch’s name still carries weight.
Spencer McKercher sits down with Phillies manager Rob Thomson as he and his club get set for another year of Phillies baseball.
After St. Clair, Thomson earned a scholarship to the University of Kansas, where he put together the best offensive season of his college career. In 1984, he hit .443, a single-season school record that still stands.
That spring also opened a door he still talks about decades later — a trip to the 1984 Olympics, the first time baseball appeared at the Summer Games.
“Oh, yeah. We get together once a year,” Thomson said of that Olympic group. “Usually in Toronto, when we go out there and play, and that’s a lot of pride. I was, I don’t know, 21 years old and playing in front of 52,000 people in Dodger Stadium when you come from a town of 2,000.
“It’s a little bit overwhelming to start, but you get used to it. It was great. A lot of fun, and just very prideful, representing your country.”
The run had a turning point that still resonates. Canada dropped its first two games, then drew Japan in pool play. That Japanese roster was loaded — 16 of 20 players would go on to play in Nippon Professional Baseball — and the game was played at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Thomson caught it from start to finish and collected a hit as Canada pulled a 6-4 upset. Japan still took gold, but that result on that stage stuck with him.
Wednesday’s game in Clearwater was obviously not the Olympics. Although when the Games return to the States in 2028, so will baseball. The tournament will be played at Dodger Stadium, and MLB commissioner Rob Manfred would like Major League representation from the U.S.
Thomson is unsure how that will be possible because of its midsummer play.
“I don’t know how many teams would be in it, so I don’t know how long the tournament would go, but to do it in the summer months would be difficult,” he said. “I’m sure they’ll figure it out.”
His first time in the country will be to represent them in the World Baseball Classic
Thomson was eager to see what the Phillies’ longest-tenured player had in his final tune-up before the World Baseball Classic.
Aaron Nola delivered. Three scoreless innings, one hit, four strikeouts.
“Really right where we want him,” Thomson said. “Command was outstanding. Both sides of the plate, front hip, lefties with his fastball, breaking ball was good, changeup was good. Can’t say anything bad about it.”
Nola threw 38 pitches, 76 percent for strikes and got a first-pitch strike against all ten batters he faced. The early velocity has been notable, and Nola had a simple explanation.
“Probably starting earlier in the offseason,” he said. “I gave my arm and body time to ease into it. I’ve been throwing long toss and I’m able to rear back and feel a little bit harder right now than in previous springs. Body feels really good, arm feels good.”
He flew to Arizona Wednesday night to begin practicing with Team Italy.
Thomson also checked in on Jhoan Duran’s first outing of the spring, noting the velocity was a touch down but not a concern.
“Good, normal first outing,” Thomson said. “Velocity’s down a little bit. He’ll build that up, but no concerns. I think he was still 97, 98. The split was good.”
Duran told reporters separately that he was sick for three weeks this offseason and lost some weight. He looks the part as he ramps up.
One of the more notable bullpen developments early in camp has been left-hander Kyle Backhus, who has continued to make a case with his look and angle.
“He’s tough on lefties,” Thomson said. “The velocity’s gone up this spring from last year, and the slider from that arm angle is just really tough on lefties. We’re going to add a changeup to help him against right-handed hitters. He’s been really impressive. Great poise, real good mound presence.”
As always, Thomson is eager to see what his young players can bring — Justin Crawford, Andrew Painter, and Aidan Miller, who is working through a back injury.
“I love watching the young kids because they bring energy and play hard every day,” Thomson said. “They’re going to get a lot of opportunity here.”