Why Rob Thomson gave up his jersey number for new Phillies closer Jhoan Duran
PHILADELPHIA — No. 59 is Jhoan Duran’s number. No, it doesn’t really hold any special significance beyond the fact that the Twins put it on his jersey when he entered the big leagues in 2022. But now he has that number on “everything” — even displayed in the pool outside his house in the Dominican Republic.
So when the star closer found out that Phillies manager Rob Thomson was willing to give up the jersey number after the club traded for him, it was a happy moment for the Duran family.
“My wife was almost crying,” Duran said with a smile.
The Phillies traded for Duran on Wednesday, sending away prospects Mick Abel and Eduardo Tait to provide a big boost for their bullpen. When director of clubhouse services Phil Sheridan called during that day’s game against the White Sox, the right-hander found out that No. 59 was taken by the manager. Duran didn’t want to overstep, so he said not to worry about it.
“He was very respectful,” Thomson said. “And then after the game, I called him and we were chit-chatting. I just said, ‘Hey, look, the number really doesn’t mean much to me. But if it makes you feel better, I’m all in.'”
Duran took No. 59, a pleasant surprise for the reliever and his wife, Aida. Thomson, who wears a pullover instead of a jersey inside the dugout most of the time anyway, assumed No. 49, the number the Yankees retired for his “buddy” Ron Guidry in 2003.
All involved appear to be on board with the change, except maybe for Thomson’s wife, Michele.
“The only one that’s upset at this point is my wife,” Thomson joked, “because all her merchandise has 59 on it. Now we gotta buy her new stuff.”
The Phillies seem like they’re trying to make Duran feel at home in Philadelphia. As the pitcher arrived at Citizens Bank Park on Friday, they were testing out flame graphics on the scoreboards for his high-energy introduction. Duran’s crowd-favorite entrance, which includes the fans illuminating the stands with the flashlights on their cellphones while the stadium lights go dim, became a spectacle in Minnesota.
The Phillies called him up to ask if he wanted to keep the tradition going in Philly.
“Yes,” Duran told them, “why not?”
One of the top relief arms in the major leagues, Duran had a 2.01 ERA in 49 games with the Twins. The Phillies traded a lot to get him in the hopes that he can take down big ninth innings for the rest of this season and in the next two years for which he’s under contract.
The bullpen has been an issue in Philadelphia, and the Phillies will bank on Duran being a huge part of the solution. Thomson said the additional presence of a closer like Duran has already had an effect on the team’s morale
“It improves it, no doubt,” Thomson said. “I think the players look at it as if the front office, ownership, everybody’s all-in. We’re making moves to win a world championship, and they see it that way. And I think it injects a lot of energy into the clubhouse.”
Duran said he was “so excited” to join the Phillies with a chance to compete in the postseason and for a World Series. He brings a dynamic the team was lacking, and he should be an electric watch with his triple-digit fastball. Soon enough, public-address announcer Dan Baker should be welcoming No. 59, Jhoan Duran, into a save situation.
“Right now, I can see the fire in the stadium,” Duran said of the scoreboard displays, “so I want to see it when a lot of people are here.”