Rob Thomson has already made history.
The 2022 Phillies are the third team in MLB history to make the World Series the same year they fired their manager, joining the 1978 Yankees and 2003 Marlins. The previous two teams are 2-0 in the Fall Classic. Thomson's Phillies will try to make it 3-0 beginning Friday.
So, how did the Phillies go from 22-29 and firing Joe Girardi to 87-75 and in the Series with Thomson at the helm? Can a manager really have that much of an impact?
The answer, as with any run into late October, is to let rigidity go and embrace the luck that comes one's way. That isn't to say these Phillies are lucky. They have outscored every other postseason team this October. But they have gotten breaks just like any team that makes a deep run.
Thomson has become a part of Philadelphia lore after being promoted from interim to full-time manager heading into the playoffs. The promotion was earned. So what happened to the Phillies to make them so much better under Thomson?
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The bullpen management improved
When people look at MLB managers, one of the biggest things they criticize is how they manage the bullpen. And the Phillies had a lot of criticism leveled against them under Girardi.
His rigid bullpen management came under fire, in particular his refusal to pitch relievers three days in a row. The Phillies tied an MLB record with 34 blown saves in 2021, and they seemed to struggle to figure it out early this year.
Thomson, meanwhile, adheres to no such rules. More importantly, he has allowed himself to live without rules in the 2022 postseason.
Against the Padres in the NLCS, Thomson took a risk when he turned to one of his starters, Ranger Suarez, to close Game 5. It was akin to Mariners manager Scott Servais bringing in Robbie Ray in Game 1 of the ALDS.
Ray promptly gave up a walk-off home run to the Astros' Yordan Alvarez. Servais was roundly criticized for the move. Suarez got two outs (helped along by Trent Grisham's baffling bunt) to clinch the win and the series
The Phillies' bullpen game against the Padres in the NLCS was a great example of Thomson's flexibility. After starter Bailey Falter lasted just two-thirds of an inning in Game 4, it looked as if the Padres would tie the series 2-2. But Thomson deftly navigated the game, with Connor Brogdon, Andrew Bellatti, Brad Hand, Noah Syndergaard, David Robertson and Zach Eflin all pitching. Each played their part as they combined to allow two runs over the final 25 outs. The result was a 10-6 win and a commanding lead in the series.
To get to that point, however, Thomson had to change from the way he managed the 'pen in the regular season. It was antithetical to his postseason approach, which stresses flexibility.
He takes a different approach than other managers. The Astros' Dusty Baker has gone with Hector Neris, Rafael Montero and Ryan Pressley in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings whenever possible. Thomson has created roles based on matchups.
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High-leverage situation? Seranthony Dominguez was the guy. Big right-handed bat? Jose Alvarado was a reverse-split monster. Thomson's flexibility has made him the perfect October manager. Three different Phillies have saves this postseason. That's a feature, not a bug.
Thomson stayed patient in setting the lineup
An essential part of Thomson's managerial style is giving players opportunities to overcome slumps and mistakes. Girardi was harsh in dealing with mistakes. Thomson did what he could to let players tough it out.
He didn't stay married to lineups during the season. He shifted players around, particularly when Bryce Harper was out after undergoing hand surgery. But he let his everyday players be everyday players.
That philosophy really rang true in the playoffs. One decision that was repeatedly criticized was keeping Kyle Schwarber in the leadoff spot. The big left fielder would hit in the middle of the order for most teams, but the Cubs, Nationals and Red Sox bucked that trend by hitting him first over the course of his career. It continued with Girardi, and Thomson's insistence on keeping him atop the order paid off in the NLDS.
After Schwarber started 0 of 16 in the playoffs, he started to break out against the Braves. Ahead of Game 3, Thomson was asked if things were going to change.
"No, no change," he replied, per Phillies Nation.
Schwarber finally started to get on base, and in the NLCS he caught fire. He hit three home runs, including a towering 488-foot blast off Yu Darvish. While some managers may have tried to hide Schwarber, Thomson kept him front and center.
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Then there's first baseman Rhys Hoskins, who made a pivotal fielding error in Game 2 of the NLDS while also struggling to hit.
Thomson downplayed both players' struggles.
"They’re just missing right now," Thomson said, per Phillies Nation. "But I think Rhys is close because he’s lofting a lot of balls. And that’s a good sign for him. Maybe Schwarber is trying to do too much right now. But they’ll be fine. I trust them."
By not demanding perfection, Thomson has allowed his players to strive for it. The game after Thomson said that, Hoskins homered against the Braves and hit another four homers in the NLCS. It takes patience to let players get to that point.
Thomson helped change the clubhouse chemistry
The Mariners' postseason slogan unofficially became "Good Vibes Only," but that applies just as much to the Phillies. And it starts with the manager.
The Phillies were dominant in the playoffs, and they enjoyed their dominance. "Philly Rob" is already a minor legend, with Phillies players' wives and girlfriends wearing "I ride with Philly Rob" T-shirts throughout this run.
How much do the Phillies love their manager Rob Thomson?
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) October 25, 2022
Phils wives & girlfriends wore
“I Ride with Philly Rob” shirts to clinching NLCS Game 5.
They surprised Rob’s wife Michele Thomson and she was in tears, according to @ToddZolecki pic.twitter.com/ws933TLUXZ
When Thomson lost the interim tag, the players responded by giving him a massive group hug.
"We kind of saw it first and 'Topper' was actually walking by, so we all got up and gave him a group hug and told him congrats," shortstop Bryson Stott said, per NBC Sports. "He's awesome. He deserves it. His calmness calms everyone through the year. To have someone like that leading this team is just awesome."
"He never panics," outfielder Nick Castellanos added. "I think that’s a credit to the amount of games he’s seen as a bench coach."
Thomson's steadiness has permeated through the clubhouse, and the players — who looked tightly wound through June under Girardi — have loosened up.
Thomson's willingness to play younger players such as Stott, third baseman Alec Bohm and outfielder Matt Vierling and give them chances resonated with Harper, the clubhouse leader.
"You've seen that in Rob Thomson, giving them the opportunities, giving them the chances to play, and giving them the chances to be successful in every spot they’re in," Harper said in August, per Fan Nation.
The Phillies still have a lot of the same players they had under Girardi, but the vibe is much different. Their confidence has grown, and that stems from Thomson letting his players play.
There are still struggles, and it hasn't been perfect. The bullpen has a 3.19 ERA in 42 1/3 innings in the playoffs, for example. But Thomson knows his team, and that has paid dividends. Now, that team will try to stop a juggernaut for its final act this season.
