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Phillies Fire Manager Rob Thomson After Slow Start
28 Apr
Summary
- Rob Thomson was fired as manager after a poor start to the 2026 season.
- Don Mattingly has been promoted to interim manager.
- The Phillies have the largest payroll in franchise history but a 9-19 record.
The Philadelphia Phillies have dismissed manager Rob Thomson following a disastrous 9-19 start to the 2026 season. Thomson, who holds the highest winning percentage in franchise history, led the team to four consecutive postseason appearances. His tenure ended after a 10-game losing streak, the longest since 1999, and a general underperformance across hitting, pitching, and defense.
Bench coach Don Mattingly has been promoted to interim manager, taking over with the team possessing the largest payroll in franchise history and facing World Series or bust expectations. This move comes after only 28 games, a swifter decision than in 2022 when Thomson himself was an interim manager.
Thomson, 62, was an accidental manager who initially planned to retire before a successful 2022 season reignited his passion. He is remembered for the 2022 National League pennant and subsequent October failures, including losing the 2023 NLCS at home. Despite his .568 winning percentage and playoff streaks, he became a symbol of perceived staleness for the team, which has lost eight of its last ten postseason games.
