Field Level Media
28 Apr 2026, 21:10 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)
The Philadelphia Phillies fired manager Rob Thomson on Tuesday and named bench coach Don Mattingly as their interim skipper through the 2026 season.
USA Today reported Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, fired Friday, was offered the job and declined, opting to spend time with his family.
The floundering Phillies (9-19) have lost 11 of their last 12 games are tied with the New York Mets (9-19) for the worst record in the majors. Both were expected to compete for the National League East title this season.
The move comes one week after Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said he was not considering a managerial change. Yet.
'Put it this way. We're not,' Dombrowski said last Tuesday. 'But if we were, that's not something we've ever shared. Rob Thomson's been a good manager for us since (2022). We always look at everything that's taking place, but no.
'Generally, I've said about 40 games of the season is when you start to say, 'OK, where are we shaping up? Guys have had enough time.' But there's no magic in that number. Sometimes it's a little bit more; sometimes it's a little bit less. They're not happy with their performances. Shoot, I'm responsible for putting the club on the field, so I'm not happy with the way it's going. But I think you just balance that all the time on a daily basis.'
Thomson, 62, had an overall record of 355-270 since taking over for the fired Joe Girardi in 2022, reaching the playoffs in each of the past four seasons. His Phillies fell in six games to the Houston Astros in the 2022 World Series.
The Phillies signed Thomson to a contract extension through the 2027 season in December.
Mattingly was named the bench coach of the Phillies on Jan. 5, uniting the former New York Yankees great with his son, Philadelphia general manager Preston Mattingly.
The former manager of the Miami Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers, Mattingly, 65, most recently served as the bench coach for the Blue Jays. He left the position after the 2025 season, which saw Toronto lose the World Series in seven games to the Dodgers.
Mattingly joined the Blue Jays in November 2022 as the bench coach for manager John Schneider. Mattingly's contract expired at the end of the year, and he chose to seek a new opportunity.
Mattingly went 889-950 as manager for the Dodgers (2011-15) and Marlins (2016-22). He was named the 2020 National League Manager of the Year.
A six-time All-Star first baseman, Mattingly spent his entire 14-year playing career with the Yankees. He was the American League MVP in 1985 and the 1984 AL batting champion, and he won nine Gold Gloves.
Also on Tuesday, Philadelphia promoted third base coach Dusty Wathan to bench coach, and Triple-A Lehigh Valley manager Anthony Contreras has been promoted to third base coach.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Herald Globe news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Herald Globe.
More InformationJERUSALEM, Israel: Israel's president signaled that he was in no hurry to consider Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request for...
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Jailed former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has withdrawn his appeal against a court ruling denying...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Firing squads may soon become a permitted method of execution as the Trump administration moves to ramp up and expedite...
ZUYDCOOTE, France: A new multi-million-euro agreement was signed between the United Kingdom and France late last week, increasing police...
KATHMANDU, Nepal: A crevasse strewn with chunks of ice, including one towering block, has stranded hundreds of mountaineers at the...
JERUSALEM, Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu said on April 24 that he has received treatment for prostate cancer, sharing this news publicly...
(Photo credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images) The Philadelphia Phillies fired manager Rob Thomson on Tuesday and named bench coach Don...
(Photo credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images) Fired Red Sox manager Alex Cora sent a short farewell note to Boston via social...
(Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images) If Aaron Rodgers plays another season, the Steelers want to make sure it's with Pittsburgh....
New Delhi [India], April 28 (ANI): Former Indian cricketer Piyush Chawla believes there may be some panic around Delhi Capitals (DC)...
Johannesburg [South Africa], April 28 (ANI): South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt has been rewarded for her recent heroics against...
Johannesburg [South Africa], April 28 (ANI): South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt has been rewarded for her recent heroics against...
