Fans, media, and a former Phillies GM react to the Rob Thomson firing with mixed emotions: ‘Wrong guy got fired’
Thomson led the Phillies to the playoffs four straight years, but a poor start to 2026 and early postseason exits doomed him.
The Phillies fired manager Rob Thomson Tuesday morning, following a 9-19 start to the season that included a 10-game skid and the worst start to a season for the franchise in a quarter century. Don Mattingly, who was hired as the bench coach ahead of the season, will take over as interim manager.
The news comes shortly after the Boston Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora — and it doesn’t come as a surprise to most, including former player Mark DeRosa.
“I think Boston started this snowball effect,” DeRosa said on MLB Central. “Listen, we get to know these guys really well. Topper has been one of the best men in baseball for a long time.
» READ MORE: Phillies fire Rob Thomson after 9-19 start; Don Mattingly named interim manager
“For whatever reason, it always looks flat when the offense is not swinging the bat. And it’s been so top-heavy this year for this team. … Same thing on the pitching side. … But this is a good enough roster to right the ship. So I feel bad for Topper. I mean, obviously, Donny Baseball [Mattingly] taking it over, I don’t think they miss a beat. Maybe [Phillies president] Dave Dombrowski, a kick in the pants to the guys on the roster to get it rolling.”
Thomson was hired as the manager in 2022 after they fired Joe Girardi in June and led the team to a National League pennant in his first season, ending a decade-plus postseason drought. During his tenure, he led them to a 355-270 record, four consecutive playoff appearances, and two consecutive National League East titles.
In response to his firing, fans took the time to show the former manager their respect, including former Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.
» READ MORE: Thank fired Phillies manager Rob Thomson for all the winning but don’t blame him for the flawed roster | Marcus Hayes
Meanwhile, other fans celebrated in hopes the move will turn things around for the rest of the season, like Girardi’s ouster did in 2022.
And some fans don’t expect much of a change after firing Thomson.
But others used humor to react to the news — including The Inquirer’s Rob Tornoe referencing the time Mattingly appeared on The Simpsons.
