Philadelphia Phillies Fire Manager Rob Thomson After 9-19 Start
The Philadelphia Phillies fired manager Rob Thomson on Tuesday after the team's terrible 9-19 start to the 2026 season. The team named Don Mattingly as interim manager to replace Thomson.
The Philadelphia Phillies fired manager Rob Thomson on Tuesday after a disastrous 9-19 start to the 2026 season. The team immediately named Don Mattingly as interim manager.
Thomson's firing comes despite his impressive track record with the team. He holds the highest winning percentage of any manager in Phillies history and led the team to four consecutive playoff appearances over four years.
But the poor start doomed him. The 9-19 record represents the Phillies' worst beginning to a season in over 20 years. The team fell 10 games below .500 for the first time since 2017.
Mattingly, the new interim manager, is a former Los Angeles Dodgers manager familiar to baseball fans. His hiring suggests the Phillies want an experienced hand to turn around their season.
The move follows a recent trend of quick coaching changes. The Boston Red Sox fired longtime manager Alex Cora and most of his coaching staff just days earlier.
This shows how quickly things can change in professional sports, even for successful coaches. Thomson had guided the Phillies to four straight playoff appearances but lost his job after less than a month of poor performance.
Watch how the Phillies perform under new manager Don Mattingly and whether they announce a permanent replacement.
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