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The Philadelphia Phillies have extended manager Rob Thomson's contract for another year, keeping him at the helm through the 2025 season after guiding the team to back-to-back NL Championship Series appearances. Thomson, 60, has compiled a 155-118 record since stepping in for Joe Girardi on June 3, 2022. He led the Phillies to the 2022 World Series, where they fell to the Houston Astros in six games. In 2023, the team reached the NLCS again but lost a series lead of 2-0 and 3-2, with Games 6 and 7 played at home against Arizona.
Phillies under Thomson
Under Thomson’s leadership, the Phillies finished the 2023 season with a 90-72 record, their first 90-win season since 2011. He became only the third manager in MLB history to win 18 of his first 25 postseason games, joining Hall of Famers Joe McCarthy and Casey Stengel.
Thomson joined the Phillies as a bench coach in 2018 under former manager Gabe Kapler. Although he initially planned to retire after the 2022 season, his promotion to manager changed those plans. After the recent season, he expressed a desire to continue managing for as long as the team wanted him.
With key players like Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Kyle Schwarber returning in 2024, the Phillies are poised to contend for the World Series. According to FanDuel SportsBook, they currently have 10-1 odds to win it all next season.
Last month, the team also signed ace Aaron Nola to a $172 million, seven-year contract.
Thomson's career record now stands at 250-185, giving him a .575 winning percentage—the highest in Phillies history. His impact has been instrumental in revitalizing the team since he took over as interim manager in June 2022.
Here are some of Thomson's notable achievements as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies:
1. Playoff Appearances: Thomson has led the Phillies to three consecutive playoff appearances since becoming interim manager. In 2022, the team secured a wild card berth, their first postseason trip since 2011, and repeated the feat in 2023.
2. National League Pennant: Under Thomson's direction, the Phillies won the National League pennant in 2022, their first since 2009. This included a strong postseason run that saw them sweep the St. Louis Cardinals in the Wild Card Series and defeat the Atlanta Braves in the Division Series.
3. Franchise Records: Thomson holds the franchise record for the fastest manager to achieve 40 wins, reaching this milestone in just 59 games. His managerial record of 250 wins against 185 losses contributes to his .575 winning percentage, the best in Phillies history.
4. Cultural Shift: Beyond tangible results, Thomson has fostered a culture of trust and resilience within the team, building strong relationships with players and staff. This cultural shift has been credited with improving team performance and cohesion.
5. Recognition and Stability: Thomson's accomplishments have earned him a contract extension through the 2026 season, a testament to the management's confidence in his leadership and vision for the future of the team.
These achievements underscore Thomson's significant impact on the Phillies, establishing them as a formidable contender in the National League.
