Following a 22-29 start to the 2022 season, the Philadelphia Phillies announced Friday that they had relieved Joe Girardi of his duties as manager, and that bench coach Rob Thomson would assume the role on an interim basis for the remainder of the season.
Once a catcher in the minor league system of the Detroit Tigers, Thomson has found his staying power in the sport as a coach.
Thomson was on Girardi's staff with the New York Yankees from 2008-2017, serving as both a third base coach and bench coach. Notably, he was on the staff for the Yankees when they defeated the Phillies in six games in the 2009 World Series.
When the Yankees dismissed Girardi after the 2017 season, Thomson did interview for and was considered one of the six finalists for the managerial job in the Bronx. Instead, the Yankees ultimately tabbed Aaron Boone to replace Girardi.
Since 2018, Thomson has been the bench coach for the Phillies, working under Gabe Kapler for the first two seasons of that tenure and then again on the staff of Girardi.
A 2019 inductee to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, Thomson will now get a chance to manage for the first time at the major league level. In a statement issued by the Phillies, Thomson admitted that it is bittersweet to get the opportunity under these circumstances, but that he's going to do his best to turn around a club with a ton of talent.
"I am extremely excited for this opportunity and I appreciate the confidence Dave [Dombrowski] has shown in me," Thomson said. "Having said that, this is an emotional day for me, having worked so closely with Joe for so many years. This has been my home now for the last five years and I care deeply about this franchise, this city, our players, our coaches, our staff and our fans. I am ready to lead this team and look forward to getting to work and turning this around."
The most likely scenario is that the Phillies engage in a search for their long-term manager this offseason, with president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and general manager Sam Fuld picking a candidate with more sizzle to man the post. But there are 111 games left in the regular season. If Thomson can turn things around to the point that the Phillies reach the postseason for the first time since 2011, who knows what will happen.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram