Thompson: "I'll be there alumni weekend."
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Thompson: "I'll be there alumni weekend."
David Murphy
If there are any hard feelings between Milt Thompson and the Phillies over his recent firing as the club's hitting coach, the veteran baseball man was not letting on.
"I have nothing but praise for the Phillies and the organization," said Thompson, who was fired late Thursday night with the team mired in a lengthy offensive slump. "I've enjoyed it as a player and as a coach. They've treated me well... I'll be there alumni weekend."
The Phillies, who announced the move in a brief press release Thursday night, have not commented publicly on the move.
Thompson said he thinks the biggest problem with the Phillies offense is that the line-up has spent most of the season trying too hard to make up for the absences of key players like Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco and Chase Utley. Since Utley went down with a thumb injury in late June, the club is hitting just .233. In the 21 games immediately preceding the injury, they hit .263.
"I think they were just trying too hard to make up for the losses in the line-up," said Thompson.
Thompson said he is good friends with Greg Gross, a former Phillies teammate who will take over as hitting coach.
"I just wish the best for them. I hope GG comes in and gets them going," Thompson said. "He's a good friend and a great baseball man, and I wish him the best. If he can find a way to get these guys to relax throughout all of this, that'd be great."
Thompson said he is confident that he will find another job in the sport.
"I'm a baseball man for life," said Thompson, who lives in South Jersey. "I'm going to land on my feet. Take a little time off, relax -- I've been doing it for a long time -- and then put the resume together and go try to find antoher job."
Thompson was named the hitting coach in 2005, Charlie Manuel's first season as manager. The Phillies finished first in the National League in runs three times during his tenure and finished in the top three in the other three. Currently, they are sixth.
Bring back Willie Montanez as a hitting coach, at least he could show them how to look good striking out! That is if they even remember him!— BCRock- AMAZING! Top 3 for all of those years and it's his fault? And Ryan1973 comment about this being his only "insight"...seriously Ryan? 2 points-it is a leap to think that has been his only input with all of his years, and secondly, this is LL or Babe Ruth players! These guys are absolute pros that may need a tweak here or there, but no one is saying 'keep both hnads on the bat' kinds of things on any team. Knucklehead:-)!— The Wolf
- You can say what you want about Milt Thompson, but the guy is all class. He handled this a lot better than most would have. By the way, this was NOT Charlie's call regardless of that silly four sentence press release. This came down from Amaro who needs to show he can do something and this was all he could do at the moment. Quite shameful IMO.— matty177
- So let me get this straight...the team not hitting is not the fault of the HITTING coach, but it IS the fault of the GM? You guys are something else.— smfree31
- Class act all the way. Thanks Milt. Good luck.— yomother2
- the firing was george bush's fault. since obama just extended unemployment coverage, milt will be fine.— manly
- Hey Milt I love your shades , where did you purchase them?— thomdee
- Players go through ups and downs throughout the season, but when they feel the pressure of having to produce due to the injury of other starters, they fall into bad habits. Also, getting down by 4-5 runs early also increases the pressure. It seems that in every game, there's 2-3 players who need to step up and make a play or excel. Last night it was Hamels great pitching and Polanco's HR. As one guy steps up, the other guys seem to relax and make plays (see Victorino's catch!). In their recent multiple slumps this year, Ive not seen many players step up when it really counted. If Halladay steps up tonight, let's see who else steps up when guys are in scoring position?— ndmcconn
- Guess we cant fire those punch and judy hitters Rollins & Stinkirino who both think they are the second coming of Babe Ruth. When your supposed 2 speed demons are rarely found anywhere near the bath paths, you must blame the batting coach instead of sending these over paid babies on a 2 week refresher course in triple A. Milt, you showed the class act you are in your gracefully acceptance of this uncalled firing. Maybe Charlie knows how to sit an wait for those 3 run homers with no one on base..— philly1960nc
I hope GG is into small ball. I want to see more bunting, more steals. I want to see the shift on Ryan Howard busted by him going the other way a few times.- You're a class act, Milt. Good luck in the future, and who knows, you may end up back in Philly.— pizzzmoe
- Milt's a class act but had to go. Hitting coaches must be in your face as far as situational hitting is concerned. Johnny Cuerto of the Reds threw 14 first ball fastballs, 13 for strikes, in his last start against the Phils. We took every one of them. Our hitters have "Bobby Abreuitis". They wait for their pitch which rarely comes. Sit on the fastball, adjust to everything else. Know when to take and know when to be aggressive. Hit against your front side and finish at the shoulder or below. HIT THE OPPOSITE WAY or sit on the bench. PROTECT THE PLATE!!!! The Phillies in general do none of these things. They need to have a clue when the get in the box...or sit!!!— voice1
- Ibanex needs to take about two yards off his swing....forgot to mention that. And GG is a good man too.— voice1
- The person not in power and on the short end of the stick takes the high road, as often is the case. Well wishes to you Mr. Thompson.— SemperAugust
- Hey Ruben are you still jealous that Milt took playing time away from you back in 93 so Milt is the problem this season???? But yet the other years the team was one of the top offensive team in the league. This move really angers me and show me Ruben is not as good of a GM has he thinks he is. Ruben was a 3rd rate player and seems to be a 2nd rate GM.— DSU
