We're down to the final two moments in our countdown and today's is no surprise. I debated for a while whether to make this the #1 or #2 moment of 2012.
Certainly it will be the most remembered thing from this past year. But in
the end, I chose to make it #2 because it was an off-the-field event and it was more
negative than positive.
2. Rich Thompson Traded (May 16)
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| Rich Thompson in the Rays' dugout on May 16, 2012. Richie T was at Coca-Cola Park just hours earlier. (Photo by Chris O'Meara) |
On Sunday May 14, 2012 beloved IronPigs outfielder Rich Thompson was introduced to many Phillies fans for the first time in a Monday article by Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The piece focused on Thompson's dream of getting another chance to play in the Majors - where he hadn't been since 2004 with the Royals - and on how Richie T was a hard-working, all-around good guy. He quickly gained a lot of popularity in Phillies Land and many (albeit mostly Pigs fans) began to call on the Phillies (who needed a guy like Thompson) to promote him.
While Rich Thompson became a name outside of Pigs Nation, nobody would have guessed what was going to happen that Wednesday.
Two days later on the morning of May 16, the Phillies traded Rich Thompson to Tampa Bay for another speedy (but younger), slap-hitting outfielder named Kyle Hudson.
The trade came as a surprise and upset many fans, but it soon became apparent that the Phillies did it because the Rays - who were in desperate need of an outfielder with Desmond Jennings, Sam Fuld, and Brandon Guyer all on the disabled list - were going to give Richie T another chance in the Major Leagues.
According to Gelb's article on May 18, Thompson got the call around 10:45 AM and left for Florida on a 1:45 flight. He got to Tampa in time for that night's game, but did not play.
The next night, wearing #24, Thompson got his first Major League hit and stolen base against the Red Sox and the crowd back in Allentown gave him a standing-O when the highlight was shown on the CCP scoreboard between innings. The hit made Thompson the oldest position player in the American League to get his first major-league hit since Minnie Mendoza back in 1970 according to this Tampa Bay Times article posted the next morning.
Note another passage from that article:
While Rich Thompson became a name outside of Pigs Nation, nobody would have guessed what was going to happen that Wednesday.
Two days later on the morning of May 16, the Phillies traded Rich Thompson to Tampa Bay for another speedy (but younger), slap-hitting outfielder named Kyle Hudson.
The trade came as a surprise and upset many fans, but it soon became apparent that the Phillies did it because the Rays - who were in desperate need of an outfielder with Desmond Jennings, Sam Fuld, and Brandon Guyer all on the disabled list - were going to give Richie T another chance in the Major Leagues.
According to Gelb's article on May 18, Thompson got the call around 10:45 AM and left for Florida on a 1:45 flight. He got to Tampa in time for that night's game, but did not play.
The next night, wearing #24, Thompson got his first Major League hit and stolen base against the Red Sox and the crowd back in Allentown gave him a standing-O when the highlight was shown on the CCP scoreboard between innings. The hit made Thompson the oldest position player in the American League to get his first major-league hit since Minnie Mendoza back in 1970 according to this Tampa Bay Times article posted the next morning.
Note another passage from that article:
"The IronPigs are the best," he said.
"I never thought, 'The minor leagues stink,'" Thompson said. "That's not my personality. I was striving to get to the majors, but if you can't play in the majors, Lehigh Valley is a pretty cool place to be."
Thompson returned to Coca-Cola Park (and the Minors) in mid-June with Durham. Before the series opener on June 14, Richie was honored with a cake, a video tribute, and he addressed the crowd:
B&B Flashback: Breaking: Rich Thompson Traded to Tampa Bay
I feel kind of sorry for this guy. All he wanted was to play in the big leagues, but here he is now, free agent with no assurance that a team will sign him soon.
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