Phillies Make Alex Cora Decision After Cutting Ties With Manager Rob Thomson
The Philadelphia Phillies announced a clear timeline for their new manager’s tenure after parting ways with the former skipper.
FORT MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 20: Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, left, and manager Alex Cora watch batting practice during a spring training workout in Fort Myers, Florida on February 20, 2019. (Staff Photo By Christopher Evans/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images) MediaNews Group via Getty Images The Philadelphia Phillies responded to a disappointing start to their season with a significant change, though it might not have been the move that many fans were expecting. On Tuesday, news surfaced that the team had fired manager Rob Thomson just before a series against the San Francisco Giants began.
And the announcement included a clear decision on the tenure for the interim skipper, New York Yankees’ former infielder Don Mattingly. “The Phillies have relieved Rob Thomson of his duties as manager today,” the team announced in a press release shared on X . “Bench coach Don Mattingly has been named interim manager through the end of the 2026 season.
” MORE FROM FORBES Parents Of Phillies’ Alec Bohm Living In Vehicle Amid Legal Dispute, Per Filing By Peter Chawaga Philadelphia Phillies Make Don Mattingly Announcement Amid Alex Cora Speculation Though many might have already expected the team to promote Mattingly, who has plenty of experience as both a star player and big-league manager, the team’s announcement that he will hold the manager’s job for the rest of the season was notable. After the Boston Red Sox surprisingly cut ties with manager Alex Cora earlier this season, speculation was growing that the Phillies would bring Cora in as Thomson’s replacement this year. Observers noted that Phillies executive Dave Dombrowski won a World Series title with Cora in Boston in 2018 and that his sudden availability could push a move to the Phillies in the middle of the season.
“The most likely landing spot for Alex Cora is the Phillies due to the fact Dave Dombrowski and Alex won that 2018 World Championship together and both have promoted the other as future Hall of Famers,” The Athletic’s Jim Bowden wrote on Saturday . “The mutual respect is special. ” MORE FROM FORBES Phillies’ 3-Time All-Star Seeks Return In New Role After Drug Charges By Peter Chawaga Philadelphia Phillies Announce Manager Decision After Boston Red Sox Fire Alex Cora Though Dombrowski and Cora might reunite in Philadelphia next season, the team’s announcement made it clear that the front office has decided not to bring in a newcomer, including Cora, before the end of this season.