Rob Thomson made his exit known.
Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson declared his retirement today, February 2, 2024
Following his leadership of the team to two consecutive NL Championship Series appearances, manager Rob Thomson of the Philadelphia Phillies has agreed to a one-year contract extension until the 2025 campaign.
Since Joe Girardi was replaced as Phillies manager by veteran bench coach Thomson on June 3, 2022, the 60-year-old has a 155-118 record. The Phillies were guided by Thomson to the 2022 World Series, but the Houston Astros defeated them in six games. This season, the Phillies made a comeback to the NLCS, but they lost series leads against Arizona in Games 6 and 7 at home, 2-0 and 3-2.
The Phillies had their first 90-win season since 2011 under Thomson’s leadership in 2023, finishing 90-72. He joined Hall of Famers Joe McCarthy and Casey Stengel as the only managers in MLB history to win 18 of their first 25 postseason games this past October.
Under former manager Gabe Kapler, Thomson was originally brought in as a bench coach for the 2018 campaign.
Until he was given a promotion to manager, Thomson had stated that he intended to retire after the 2022 season. Thomson stated that he intended to manage as long as the Phillies wanted him to after this season and that he had no plans to retire.
The Phillies look ready to challenge for the World Series once more in 2024 with sluggers like Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and Bryce Harper back. According to FanDuel SportsBook, the Phillies had 10-1 odds on Monday to win the 2024 World Series.
Ace Aaron Nola was signed by the Phillies last month to a seven-year, $172 million contract.
Thomson declared, “We’ve got a good ball club,” following the Phillies’ NLCS elimination. But making it to the postseason is not our aim. Our ultimate objective is to win the World Series.
2008 was the last World Series victory for the Phillies.
Thomson was a part of the New York Yankees organization for 28 years (1990–2017), spending 10 of those years as a major league coach (2008, 2015–17) and third base coach (2009–14).
Rafael Peña and Dustin Lind were both hired by the Phillies to serve as assistant hitting coaches.
