Rob Thomson Still Roots for the Phillies After Firing

When Rob Thomson was let go by the Philadelphia Phillies in late April, most people assumed he would turn his back on the team. Instead, he says he still watches every game and cheers them on.

The Phillies have turned their season around since Thomson’s departure. They went from a rough 9‑19 start to a strong 29‑14 run in the last 43 games, earning a spot in the National League’s second wild‑card slot.

Thomson explains that his connection to the players and staff keeps him invested.

“I’ve built relationships with this group, so I keep cheering for them,” he told a reporter.
“The team is playing better now and they’re back to who they are.”

He also notes that many fired managers feel a mix of regret and relief.

“You might wish you had more time, but there’s no lingering frustration,” he added.
“The change has helped the team.”

Thomson’s experience as a manager is deep. He stepped in for Joe Girardi mid‑season in 2022, leading the Phillies to a World Series appearance before losing to Houston.

His replacement, Don Mattingly, was a former teammate. The two worked together on the Yankees’ coaching staff from 2004‑07, and Thomson stayed with the team when manager Joe Torre was let go. They later won a World Series in 2009, although the Phillies were eliminated.

Mattingly says he gave the players a clear challenge: with over 130 games left, the team had to improve or something was wrong. He believes the change sparked a faster turnaround than if Thomson had stayed.

Players echo that sentiment. Catcher J. T. Realmuto said the move “kicked us in the rear” and accelerated their improvement, even though it was inevitable they would get better eventually.

Thomson’s record as a Phillies manager remains the best in the last century, with a .568 winning percentage and postseason appearances every year he led. The team’s recent success shows that a change in leadership can reignite a franchise without erasing past achievements.