Throwback Thursday: Marcus Thames in 2010

When we drove up to Pawtucket this week in 2010 to catch the Yankees' Triple A club visiting their Red Sox counterparts, I could not have predicted Marcus Thames' future. After bouncing between the majors and minors for a decade, the then 33-year old was in the midst of a short rehab stint with the Rail Riders before heading back to the Bronx, where supplied righthanded power in a part time role. In fact, this was one of just four games he played for Scranton -- a rare sighting!
Seeing him that night, I'm not sure the old crystal ball wouldn't have read "future hitting coach." But as preparations ramp up for this virus-shortened season, Thames is a key member of Aaron Boone's staff, working with veterans such as Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks and DJ LeMahieu, rising stars Aaron Judge and Gleyber Torres, the enigmatic Gary Sanchez and prospects such as Clint Frazier and Mike Ford.
His name was in lights June 30th, 2010 -- but it's now more important than ever as the Yankees aim to break an 11-year pennant drought.

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