Anthony Contreras was cruising along the interstate in a rented GMC on his way to Syracuse. A drive the former Lehigh Valley IronPigs’ manager typically likes to take on his own when his team plays a close opponent within the International League.
This time, his trek to upstate New York would be different.
About an hour into his ride, he pulled off to the side of the road to get his Apple CarPlay synced up. He received an unexpected call during the pit stop.
On the other end it was Phillies’ Director of Player Development Luke Murton calling with General Manager Preston Mattingly already on the line.
“Preston told me, ‘I can’t give you much detail, but I need you to turn around and go back to Allentown. You’re going to be coaching third base in the big leagues tomorrow.’ I was like, ‘What?!’”
Contreras had more questions to ask but knew information was not going to be shared right away. So he turned around, making his way back to Allentown.
‘I kind of went numb,” Contreras recalled on the ride back to Coca-Cola Park.
“My heart was pounding a little bit because it was unexpected and the uncertainty of it. Especially with the lack of details that were given to me.”
Contreras admitted that once he came to a stop sign, he couldn’t remember which way to turn. He stopped at a gas station to reset his GPS and made his way home.
“There were so many things going through my head. I was just dead quiet and then realized I needed to call my wife and let her know.”
After packing a bag and getting as much sleep as he could, Contreras made his way to Philadelphia, arriving at the ballpark Tuesday morning before the news of Rob Thomson’s firing broke.
“It was a whirlwind of emotion. Heartbreak for Thoms obviously, but then the excitement for my personal self. Everyone was texting me, it was overwhelming. I haven’t felt that way ever in my life,” Contreras said.
Receiving hundreds of congratulatory texts allowed Contreras to reflect on his voyage getting to the big leagues. A career that spans nine seasons as a player, reaching Triple-A and 12 years as a manager.
“I think it reminds you of how long this journey’s been. How many people have seen me since I was a little kid, through high school, college and pros and then to finally get the opportunity to be on a big league staff in a market like Philadelphia. It’s pretty surreal,” Contreras said.
Later that night, the San Jose, California native exchanged the lineup card at home plate. After Jesus Luzardo tossed a 1-2-3 first inning, Contreras jogged out of the first base dugout, taking his position in the third base coaching box against his childhood team, the San Francisco Giants.
With the quick turn of events and the busy Contreras family schedule, his biggest supporters were unable to make the cross-country flight to witness his debut in person, but they were able to watch on TV.
“My family's still out there. So the game was on in the Bay Area. So my parents, my sisters, everybody out there were able to see it. So that was a big, big moment for me.”
Contreras’ debut had a little bit of everything, exactly what he was hoping for.
“I wanted action. Like I wanted to be able to send somebody. I wanted to hold somebody, and I got a little bit of everything [on Tuesday], which was good, just to kind of break the ice and feel comfortable with that.”
The Phillies provided plenty of action en route to a 7-0 win, arguably the most complete game they played this season.
The team needs to do a lot more winning to dig out of the 10-19 rut they are in. Contreras hopes that his similar mindset to interim manager Don Mattingly will rub off on the players.
After all, all he has done is win wherever he’s gone.
Contreras became the winningest manager after spending five seasons with the Fort Wayne Tin Caps, an affiliate of the San Diego Padres, from 2016 to 2021. He entered his fifth season with Lehigh Valley to start this year and is atop the franchise record book in wins.
“I think the message from Don where he said give us three hours of just fight and grind. That hits home with me,” Contreras said.
“That’s the way I approach the game and how I’m wired. I take it seriously. I don’t goof around too much unless it’s behind the scenes, but when we get out here, it’s time to work.”
