PHILADELPHIA — All Rob Thomson knows is accountability. If there was anyone to blame for the Phillies’ 9-19 start, place the blame on Thomson.
That’s how Thomson carried himself to the end. Even though Thomson was let go on Tuesday, he felt it was important to speak to the people that treated him fairly over the years.
This was the least Thomson could do. A thank you for four great years as Phillies manager.
“We haven’t played well, for whatever reason,” Thomson said in a farewell call to reporters on Tuesday, the day he was let go by the organization. When you’re not playing well, and you’re the manager of a ball club, you’re held accountable. And rightly so.“
“I think when you’re an accountable person, you’re a leader, you’re gonna stand up and answer the questions when it’s all over.”
The Phillies chose to move on from Thomson after a 9-19 start, an unfathomable first 28 games for a team with World Series expectations. Thomson led the Phillies to four consecutive playoff appearances as manager of the club, joining Charlie Manuel as the only managers in franchise history to accomplish that task.
As Thomson always conducted his business, he took the responsibility for the Phillies offense ranking 29th in baseball in batting average (.219) and OPS (.656). Ditto for the starting pitching ranking 30th in baseball in ERA (5.80).
The players respected how Thomson went to bat for them. There’s a reason why several players mentioned they were frustrated over the move. They knew their play was the reason why Dave Dombrowski and the front offense moved on from Thomson.
“The one thing I tried to do throughout my four years here is let the players play and let the talent take care of itself and not try to get in the way,” Thomson said. “For the most part it’s worked, and it’s gonna continue to work.”
Thomson did have those conversations with some players about his departure. The message was the same as it was in his four years as the manager.
“For the most part, there’s so much mutual respect between myself and the players,” Thomson said. “Look, they gotta keep going. They have a game. They gotta keep playing and they gotta keep working. They gotta keep competing.”
Will this be the end of Thomson’s career in baseball? Thomson admitted he may actually take a dip in the pool his wife bought last summer, reflecting on 42 years in the sport.
Dombrowski said there will be a special assistant role for Thomson and he was offered. Thomson admitted he wasn’t offered anything yet.
“I am open to staying in this organization. I don’t wanna go anywhere else,” Thomson said. “I love this organization. I’ve been treated with class and dignity these past eight years.
“Maybe right now isn’t the right time, but I’m all in on it.”
Who knows? Thomson may be back when the Phillies start to make a summer push. He knows this team isn’t going quietly into the night.
No one believes the Phillies will save their season more than Thomson. He’s seen this group come back before.
“I still think, and I hope, because I love these guys,” Thomson said. “I think this club is gonna get straightened out. This thing is gonna get turned around.”