Alex Rodriguez Rubs Salt to New York’s Wounds: It Wasn’t Just Bryce Harper – Even the Phillies Manager and Hitting Coach Were Once Yankees Prospects

Bryce Harper burst onto the baseball scene with an electrifying debut, showcasing his raw talent and earning numerous accolades. During his time with the Washington Nationals, he achieved remarkable feats, including MVP honors and All-Star appearances. The New York Yankees were expected to pursue him as a free agent. But then Yankees manager Brian Cashman dismissed the idea, saying they had enough outfielders. Ironically, fate intervened years later when an injury led Harper to transition to the infield, where he now excels with exceptional prowess.

Players and executives other than Harper, who were meant for the Bronx, find themselves thriving in the Philadelphia Phillies today. In a recent podcast, MLB icon Alex Rodriguez reminisces about those missed opportunities for the Yankees.

Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees: Tales of regrets and what-ifs

In a tête-à-tête with Evan and Tiki, Alex Rodriguez opened up about his time with the Yankees. While being asked about players that he thinks should’ve been a part of the Yankees, he emphasized that Rob Thomson, the current Phillies manager, and Phillies hitting coach Kevin Long were crucial misses.

“Yeah it’s both Rob Thomson and Kevin Long, the legendary hitting coach who just continues to coach through different world series every year; seems like, you know, Rob Thomson’s one of the best baseball people I’ve ever been around; I learned from him as much as anyone; I think Jeter will tell you the same thing.”

A-Rod reminisced, adding, “It breaks my heart to see him in any other color, but Pinstripes, cause he is synonymous with the Yankee Pinstripes; he’s, he’s as good as it gets.”

Thomson, the former Yankees’ coach, played a pivotal role in the team’s last World Championship win in 2009. After joining the Phillies in 2018, Thomson brought his expertise to Philadelphia, alongside legendary hitting coach Kevin Long, who also coincided with A-Rod during his time with the Yankees from 2007 to 2014. Long recently shifted to the Phillies in 2022, leading to a promising collaboration with Thomson. Had they been on the team, would the Yankees have seen a better 2023?

Could-Have-Been-Champions: ‘Yankees’ Harper’ remorse

The Yankees’ decision to select Giancarlo Stanton over Bryce Harper in the 2019 draft left fans devastated. Every time they witness Harper’s electrifying performance with the Phillies, their disappointment intensifies. And it’s not just Alex Rodriguez who thinks missing out on him or Thomson and Long was a weak move from the team. Yankees fans were furious regarding these misses.

It is implied that the Phillies have highly benefited from the Yankees’ missed opportunities on personnel. It remains to be seen whether the Pinstripes commit the same mistakes in the future or make an effort to correct the past ones.

Read More: Unintentionally, Bryce Harper Etches Another Chapter in Phillies History Books

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