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Phillies Fire Rob Thomson, Mattingly Takes Interim Helm

4/28/2026

Summary

Phillies Fire Thomson

The Philadelphia Phillies fired manager Rob Thomson on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, after a 9-19 start.
Don Mattingly became interim manager while Dusty Wathan moved to bench coach and Anthony Contreras moved to third-base coach.
Rob Thomson departed with a 355-270 record, four straight playoff berths and a 2022 World Series appearance after signing a 2027 extension, as the $284 million roster posted the league’s 29th-best OPS (.656) and 28th-worst ERA (5.13).

Summary

Mattingly Duo Leads

Don Mattingly will be manager while his son Preston Mattingly will be GM, forming the first father-son duo to run an MLB franchise.
Dave Dombrowski will address the media at 2:45 p.m. ET after issuing his second managerial termination this season.
The Phillies, enduring a ten-game losing streak, are the second club this season to fire a manager after the Red Sox dismissed Alex Cora while rumors link Cora to a role.

History

Historical Context

After leading the Phillies to three straight NL East crowns (1976-78) and a 101-win season, Danny Ozark was dismissed on August 31 1979 amid a 67-95 campaign fueled by Pete Rose’s $3.2 million free-agent deal. Sixty-seven years later, a 9-19 start prompted owner Dave Dombrowski to fire Rob Thomson in April 2026, installing Don Mattingly as interim manager, underscoring Philadelphia’s habit of mid-season shake-ups.

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Phillies Fire Thomson

The Philadelphia Phillies fired manager Rob Thomson on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, after a 9-19 start.
Don Mattingly became interim manager while Dusty Wathan moved to bench coach and Anthony Contreras moved to third-base coach.
Rob Thomson departed with a 355-270 record, four straight playoff berths and a 2022 World Series appearance after signing a 2027 extension, as the $284 million roster posted the league’s 29th-best OPS (.656) and 28th-worst ERA (5.13).

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