Phillies manager 'all-in' on Duran taking No. 59

PHILADELPHIA -- Jhoan Duran's woman astir cried erstwhile the person told her helium mightiness person to surrender his No. 59 azygous fig erstwhile helium was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies.

The fig has plentifulness of sentimental worth to Duran. Ornamental value, excessively -- the fig is engraved arsenic portion of the household excavation plan successful the Dominican Republic.

Aida Duran tin prevention her tears. Duran got to support his fig and wore his caller Phillies azygous for the commencement of a three-game bid against Detroit.

But arsenic acold arsenic perchance unhappy wives go, idiosyncratic mightiness person to cheque connected Michele Thomson.

Rob Thomson's archetypal telephone to the bullpen with Duran came erstwhile the reliever wanted to cheque connected the availability of No. 59, which belonged to the Phillies manager. There was nary high-end bargaining needed -- similar erstwhile erstwhile Phillies large John Kruk erstwhile traded No. 29 to caller reliever Mitch Williams for 2 cases of beer.

Thomson happily gave up the fig to Duran and the erstwhile longtime New York Yankees manager took No. 49 successful grant of erstwhile Yankees prima Ron Guidry.

"The lone 1 that's upset astatine this constituent is my wife," Thomson said to laughter. "All her merchandise has 59 connected it. Now she has to spell bargain caller stuff."

Duran said helium tried to beryllium respectful successful his archetypal speech with Thomson astir wanting the number. Thomson, who led the Phillies to 3 consecutive playoff appearances, had nary contented giving it to the closer.

"The fig truly doesn't mean overmuch to me," Thomson said. "But if it makes you consciousness better, I'm all-in. He said, 'Yeah.' Then it's each yours."

Duran, 27, had 16 saves and a 2.01 ERA successful 49 appearances this season, striking retired 53 successful 49 1/3 innings with the Minnesota Twins. He was traded to the Phillies connected Wednesday for a brace of insignificant leaguers.