In First Full Season Managing Phillies, Rob Thomson Balances Growing Pains And Big Expectations

When the Philadelphia Phillies entered the final weekend in April last year, the club sputtered to a 3-0 loss to open a series at Citi Field against the Mets.

At 10-11, the Phillies were already struggling to keep up with their National League East rivals, and the team was a little more than a month away from a seismic change within the organization: the June 3 firing of manager Joe Girardi.

Bench coach Rob Thomson — who had no prior major league managing experience — took the reins after the veteran Girardi’s dismissal, and guided the club to a surprising World Series berth against the Houston Astros. Prior to the start of the Fall Classic, the Phillies removed the “interim manager” tag and signed Thomson, 59, to a two-year contract extension.

“As time progressed, it became apparent that Rob was the right person to lead this team and our club’s on-field performance over the course of the season certainly reinforced that,” David Dombrowski, the Phillies’ president of baseball operations, said after the announcement. “His calm demeanor and ability to communicate with players and staff has greatly benefitted the Phillies and we are excited to formally name him our manager going forward.”

But while Thomson may still be considered in the honeymoon phase of his Philly managing tenure, it has not exactly been calm seas out of the gate for the Canadian-born skipper, although his club is finally above .500 (15-13) entering Sunday’s game in Houston.

Thomson’s season began with no Bryce Harper (recovery from November Tommy John surgery), Rhys Hoskins (torn ACL in spring training and season-ending surgery) and Ranger Suarez (left forearm tightness), among other players injured. Even though owner John Middleton opened the checkbook for free-agent shortstop Trea Turner (11 years, $300 million) and free-agent right-hander Taijuan Walker (4 years, $72 million), once the season began, the defending NL pennant winners dropped the first four games.

“We had interim managers numerous times, and we could fire anybody at any time,” said David Samson, the former Marlins president, referring to his tenure in the South Florida front office. “The key thing for Dave Dombrowski is who’s on the field (for the Phillies). There are internal expectations after having won the (NL) pennant. Bryce Harper is expected to return soon. The team signed what I think was the best offensive free agent out there in Trea Turner. I would take Turner over (Yankee outfielder and team captain Aaron) Judge any day.

“So the Phillies go into 2023 expecting to compete and defend the pennant. If they get to July and are sellers, Thomson will be evaluated the same as if he’s been there zero years or 10 years,” added Samson.

In other words, much like with roster players, rarely is a manager untouchable when it comes to personnel moves. Just look at Joe Maddon’s Angels’ tenure.

The 2023 road ahead in the NL East won’t get any easier for Thomson and the Phils, either, as the Braves are already making waves in their bid to repeat as division winners. The Steve Cohen-spending Mets, meanwhile, are loaded with talent, including two multiple Cy Young Award-winners in Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer (although Verlander has yet to make his Mets debut and began the season on the Injured List).

Thomson took over a team that was 22-29 and got them into the postseason for the first time since 2011. But now it’s a new year, and the Phillies aren’t yet running away with the division. Does last year’s World Series appearance buy Thomson a pass for 2023, regardless of the team’s finish?

“Rob Thomson has more on his mind than say, (Oakland A’s manager) Mark Kotsay,” said Samson. “Rob knows he’s being evaluated all year, and I believe he’s got more pressure (to succeed). But he seems to have the ability to work with the front office, which has become so much a part of the game.”

Sound relationships with the front office are one trait. Winning, however, is what ultimately matters, both to a free-spending owner and Philadelphia’s notoriously demanding and vocal fans.