The Philadelphia Phillies have extended manager Rob Thomson’s contract by Two year, securing him through the 2026 season. Thomson, from Corunna, has been instrumental in guiding the Phillies to the playoffs for three consecutive seasons, a streak that includes appearances in the 2022 World Series and the 2023 National League Championship Series. This year, Thomson led the Phillies to their first NL East division title since 2011, though their season ended with a loss to the New York Mets in the National League Division Series.
At age 61, Thomson holds a .575 winning percentage, making him the most successful manager in Phillies history by that metric. His previous contract was set to expire in 2025, but Thomson expressed satisfaction with the extension, stating, “This is the only place I want to be. This will be my last stop.”
Phillies President of Baseball Operations, Dave Dombrowski, has affirmed his confidence in Thomson and announced that the entire coaching staff, including the notable hitting coach Kevin Long, will return next season. Dombrowski praised the staff’s work, particularly after a 95-67 season, and commended Thomson’s leadership, saying, “They do a very efficient job.”
Thomson took over as manager on June 3, 2022, succeeding Joe Girardi, and has since accumulated an impressive record of 280-155. Dombrowski emphasized that retaining Thomson was crucial to maintaining stability, especially heading into the 2026 season, explaining that it’s essential to avoid a “lame-duck” manager situation.
Fondly called “Topper” by his players, Thomson has earned the respect and support of both the team and fans. His coaching career is extensive, with previous experience as a bench coach under Phillies manager Gabe Kapler starting in 2018. Thomson also spent nearly three decades with the New York Yankees, where he served in various roles, including as the bench coach and third base coach from 1990 to 2017.
With the contract extension, Thomson’s leadership and the team’s continuity seem poised to drive the Phillies forward, building on the momentum of recent successful seasons. The Phillies organization remains hopeful that this stability will lead to continued playoff success in the coming years.
