(AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
The Philadelphia Phillies have dismissed manager Rob Thomson following a disastrous 9-19 start, marking their worst opening stretch in over two decades.
Despite leading the franchise to four straight playoff appearances—including a 2022 World Series run—Thomson couldn’t survive a collapse that saw the Phillies lose 11 of their last 12 games.
President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski framed the move as a necessary shift in direction.
“I felt like we needed a new voice,” Dombrowski said. “A little different feeling in the clubhouse at this point.”
Alex Cora Targeted, but Declines
Before officially making the change, Philadelphia had a replacement in mind: Alex Cora.
Fresh off his own dismissal by the Boston Red Sox, Cora held discussions with Dombrowski—his former boss in Boston—about taking over the Phillies.
The plan was clear: if Cora accepted, Thomson would be out.
But Cora declined the opportunity, choosing instead to step away and spend time with his family. That decision forced Philadelphia to pivot quickly, finalizing Thomson’s firing a day later.
Don Mattingly Takes Over, For Now
With Cora unavailable, the Phillies turned inward, naming bench coach Don Mattingly as interim manager for the remainder of the season.
The move creates a unique dynamic, as Mattingly will now report to his son, Preston Mattingly, the team’s general manager—believed to be a first in MLB history.
A longtime figure in the game, Mattingly brings experience from previous managerial stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins, including a 2020 NL Manager of the Year award.
From Contenders to Collapse
This decision underscores just how far the Phillies have fallen.
A roster loaded with stars like Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Trea Turner entered the season as NL East favorites. Instead, they find themselves at the bottom of the standings alongside the New York Mets.
Struggles at the plate and inconsistency on the mound have defined their season, turning what was supposed to be a celebratory year into one of MLB’s biggest disappointments.
What Comes Next
The Phillies will not name a permanent manager until after the season, leaving Mattingly to stabilize the clubhouse and salvage what remains of 2026.
Meanwhile, Cora’s decision leaves the door open for a potential reunion down the line—if Philadelphia still views him as the long-term answer.
For now, though, the focus shifts to whether a midseason shake-up can spark a turnaround—or if this season is already too far gone.
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