With a $315M payroll and a tie for the worst record in MLB, Dave Dombrowski decided he couldn’t wait any longer; Yankee Scores reports.
The Philadelphia Phillies have dismissed manager Rob Thomson on Tuesday.
The Unwanted Record
The Phillies were off to their worst start to a season in over two decades.
Thomson managed the Phillies to four straight playoff appearances — including the 2022 World Series.
Don “Donnie Baseball” Mattingly Steps In
Don Mattingly will now serve as Philadelphia’s interim manager through the rest of the season.
The Phillies (9-19) were the preseason favorite in the NL East. They have lost 11 of their last 12 games and entered Tuesday tied with the New York Mets for the worst record in Major League Baseball.
The $315 Million Question
Despite a projected payroll of just over $315 million for 2026, the Phillies are off to their worst 28-game start since 2002, when they also started 9-19.
Thomson went 355-270 and had led a Phillies team loaded with high-priced talent that included Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner to consecutive NL East titles. Thomson, a 62-year-old baseball lifer finally promoted to his first managerial stint in 2022, signed a contract extension in the offseason through the 2027 season and was again expected to lead the Phillies into World Series contention.
But Philadelphia instead has been one of the biggest flops in MLB, losing 10 straight games before ace Zack Wheeler led them to a win Saturday against the Atlanta Braves.
Coaching Staff Shuffle
The Phillies also announced Tuesday that third-base coach Dusty Wathan was promoted to bench coach.
Thomson is the second manager fired in baseball this season after the Boston Red Sox fired Alex Cora and five coaches Saturday.
Dave Dombrowski, the Phillies’ president of baseball operations, gave Thomson a vote of confidence last week while the team was in the midst of its losing streak. Dombrowski stood behind Thomson’s work and said he’s been a good manager since replacing Joe Girardi in 2022.
Thomson became only the fourth manager in big league history to reach the postseason in each of the first four full seasons to begin a managing career, joining Dave Roberts, Aaron Boone and Mike Matheny. Thomson became only the third manager in Phillies history to win consecutive division titles, joining Charlie Manuel and Danny Ozark.
