There’s been a significant change in the National League today.
In a move that will impact the Mets, the Phillies have today parted ways with manager Joe Girardi, with bench coach Rob Thomson being named as interim manager for the remainder of the 2022 season.
It comes just 51 games into the season but it is a change many close to the organization felt was coming given that the Phillies are currently 22-29 on the season, and 3-7 in their last 10.
Coaching assistant Bobby Meacham was also let go by the franchise, while quality assurance coach Mike Calitri has been promoted to bench coach on the Phillies’ major league staff.
Interestingly, the Mets have had the Phillies’ number this year and they recently swept Girardi’s team, scoring a combined total of 19 runs across three games.
Despite taking plenty of big swings in the offseason after signing closer Corey Knebel to a one-year, $10 million deal, slugger Kyle Schwarber to a four-year, $79 million deal and outfield Nick Castellanos to a five-year, $100 million deal to exceed the luxury tax threshold, the Phillies have failed to live up to expectations.
And that was outlined by president of baseball operations David Dombrowski, who highlighted the slow start to the season as the main reason behind the decision to relieve Girardi of his duties.
“It has been a frustrating season for us up until this point, as we feel that our club has not played up to its capabilities,” Dombrowski said in a statement released by the Phillies this morning. “While all of us share the responsibility for the shortcomings, I felt that a change was needed and that a new voice in the clubhouse would give us the best chance to turn things around.
“I believe we have a talented group that can get back on track, and I am confident that Rob, with his experience and familiarity with our club, is the right man to lead us going forward.”
Girardi, who won a World Series with the Yankees in 2009, was hired by the Phillies in 2020 and he finishes his tenure with an overall record of 132-141, while failing to make the playoffs during his time with the team.
Thomson will now become the 56th manager in franchise history. He’s been with the Phillies since 2017, serving as their bench coach, and he’s very much a baseball lifer with this his 38th season in professional baseball.
He served as a Minor League manager for the Yankees back in 1995 with their Class A Short Season affiliate, Oneonta, which proved to be his last managerial gig, while he spent 10 seasons as the bench coach on the major league staff for the Yankees as well as two seasons in the minor leagues for the Detroit Tigers.
Thomson was drafted by the Tigers in the 32nd round of the June 1985 draft, and appeared in 136 games at catcher over a four-season span, while also trying his hand at a number of other positions including pitcher. He was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.
“I am extremely excited for this opportunity and I appreciate the confidence Dave has shown in me,” Thomson said in a statement. “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.”
There is no doubt the Phillies are playing below what it says on the back of their baseball card given the heavy hitters they have on their roster, and the Mets will now watch on with interest to see if this change has the desired effect at Citizens Bank Park.
