The Main Event

March 19, 2018 – Lost catcher Tommy Joseph to the Texas Rangers off of waivers.

Tommy Joseph entered professional baseball with a lot of promise as a catcher, a position that tends to fast-track prospects if they can hit. Originally drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 2009, he quickly developed a reputation as a power bat with leadership qualities behind the plate. His breakout moment in the minors came in 2012 when he hit 22 home runs across two levels, establishing himself as one of the better catching prospects in the game.

That success made him a key piece in a major trade. In July 2012, Joseph was sent to the Philadelphia Phillies as part of the package for Hunter Pence. At the time, the Phillies viewed him as their catcher of the future, someone who could eventually anchor the lineup with right-handed power.

Time in the Phillies Organization

Joseph’s time in the Phillies system quickly became complicated due to injuries, particularly multiple concussions that significantly altered his career path. Between 2013 and 2015, he suffered at least three documented concussions. These were not minor setbacks. They limited his ability to stay on the field and raised serious concerns about his long-term health, especially given the physical demands of catching.

Because of those injuries, the Phillies made the decision to move him from catcher to first base in 2015. It was a pivotal shift that allowed him to continue playing while reducing the risk of further head trauma. The transition worked surprisingly well. Joseph rediscovered his offensive rhythm in the minors, particularly with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he showed the same power that once made him a top prospect.

He made his Major League debut with the Phillies in 2016 and quickly made an impression. That season, he hit 21 home runs in just 107 games, giving the team a much-needed power boost during a rebuilding period. In 2017, he followed that up with 22 home runs, establishing himself as a legitimate power threat, even if his overall offensive consistency fluctuated.

Despite the power numbers, Joseph’s role with the Phillies became less secure as Rhys Hoskins emerged from the minors to become the preferred choice at first base. The younger Hoskins was part of a new core, and in the spring of 2018, Joseph was designated for assignment and claimed by the Texas Rangers, but never did reappear in the majors.

Life After Playing Career

After his playing days wound down, Joseph stayed connected to baseball while also exploring new opportunities. He briefly continued playing in the minor leagues with Texas and Boston before moving on to play in independent ball, but injuries and roster competition made it difficult to regain a steady major league role.

In retirement, Joseph has shifted toward coaching and player development, sharing his experiences with younger players. He and former Phillie Cody Asche were co-hitting coaches with the Orioles prior to being let go at the end of the 2025 season. Currently, Joseph is in the Player Development Department with the Seattle Mariners. His journey, especially dealing with multiple concussions and position changes, has made him a valuable voice when it comes to resilience and adapting in professional sports.

He has also been open about the challenges of head injuries, adding to the broader conversation in baseball about player safety. While his career did not unfold exactly as once expected, Joseph carved out a meaningful path. He proved he could adjust, overcome setbacks, and still make an impact at the highest level of the game.

Philadelphia Baseball Events for March 19

  • March 19, 1947 – The Phillies purchased Bama Rowell from the Brooklyn Dodgers prior to the 1948 season, which would be Rowell’s last in the majors. The versatile infielder/outfielder missed the 1942 through 1945 seasons for military service. Read more about Richie Ashburn
  • March 19, 1955 – The Chicago Cubs sold pitcher Dave Cole to the Phillies. The transaction is remembered because Cole, who had a 4.81 career ERA when the Phillies acquired him, joked that Philadelphia was the only team he thought he could beat. Cole was, in fact, good against the Phillies with a 4-4 record and career 2.97 ERA against them and was the only team he did not have a losing record against.

MLB Events for March 19

  • 2019 – The Angels sign Millville, NJ native and Philadelphia Eagles fan Mike Trout to a 10-year extension that will pay him $426.5 million through 2030. This represents the largest contract ever and just about ensures that the greatest player in franchise history will spend his entire career as an Angel.
  • 2023 – Team USA is the first finalist in the 2023 World Baseball Classic as they pummel Cuba, 14 – 2, in the semi-finals. Adam Wainwright allows the first four batters to reach before he, Miles Mikolas and Aaron Loup hold Cuba to one run the rest of the way. Trea Turner goes deep twice from the nine slot and drives in four; his four homers this Classic move him within one of Seung-yeop Lee’s 17-year-old World Baseball Classic record for homers in a single tourney. Paul Goldschmidt and Cedric Mullins also homer for the US, Goldschmidt driving in four as well, while Mookie Betts and Turner each collect three hits.

ICYMI

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Philadelphia Baseball Birthdays for March 19

  • Bill Wambsganss (born 1894) – Wambsganss had his contract purchased by the Philadelphia Athletics prior to the 1926 season, which would be his last in the majors. In his final season, Wambsganss hit .352 with the A’s capping his run as one of the game’s more famous middle infielders of the deadball era.
  • Richie Ashburn (born 1927) – One of the most popular Phillies players and broadcasters of all-time, Ashburn was born in Tilden, Nebraska. After 12 seasons with the Phillies, two with the Cubs, and one with the expansion 1962 Mets, Ashburn spent 35 years broadcasting Phillies games. Ashburn was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995.
  • Tim Corcoran (born 1953) – Corcoran spent two-plus seasons with the Phillies at the end of his career and hit .282/.380/.379/.759 with the team.

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