Tara Jeffrey A new exhibit at the Moore Museum couldn’t have come at a better time. Jerseys, photos and other memorabilia are featured in the Rob Thomson display at the Moore Museum.
Tara Jeffrey
A new exhibit at the Moore Museum couldn’t have come at a better time.
The display honours the achievements of Corunna native Rob Thomson, whose Philadelphia Phillies begin their run at the National League Championship Series this week.
And it’s all thanks to an old buddy who wanted to help out.
“We got together when he was home and I told him I wanted to put something together for the museum,” said Rick Corner, who grew up with Thomson and now lives in London. “He was just ecstatic over that.”
Corner gathered old photos, jerseys and memorabilia from Thomson’s decades-long ball career and worked with museum staff to put the exhibit together.
He gets emotional talking about how far his old pal has come, from a bat boy with a dream at Stewart Park and Duggan Field in Corunna.
“If one little kid can get inspired from a display at the Moore Museum… that’s why I’m doing this,” he said, holding back tears. “For Robbie, and for the community.”
Corner said he gets a kick out of watching more and more people ‘get on the bandwagon’ now that Thomson is becoming a household name. The Phillies were just 22-29 this season when Thomson was named interim general manager in June — marking the first Canadian to become a full-time manager in Major League Baseball.
They’ve since punched their ticket to the MLB postseason for the first time since 2011, and face the San Diego Padres in the NLCS this week.
Earlier this month, Thomson’s ‘interim’ title was removed and the team signed him to a two-year contract extension.
“The players love his style, and he supports them 100%,” said Corner. “Robbie doesn’t take credit for anything… he’s just a humble guy.”
The Moore Museum is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.
