Thomson receives two-year contract after snapping playoff drought

Rob Thomson will be back in the Phillies dugout next season, and beyond.

Today, the Phillies removed the interim tag from Thomson’s title as manager and signed him to a two-year deal that runs through 2024.

The announcement was made official by Phillies President of Baseball Operations David Dombrowski.

The new Phillies full-time manager

Thomson, who becomes the 56th manager in franchise history, has served as the club’s bench coach while also coordinating spring training for the last five seasons after being originally hired on Dec. 5, 2017. This year marks Thomson’s 38th season in professional baseball.

“I am extremely excited for this opportunity and I appreciate the confidence Dave has shown in me,” Thomson said in an official statement released by the team.

“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.”

Thomson, who took over as the interim manager in June after the team fired Joe Girardi, has been just what the doctor ordered in Philly.

At the time Girardi was dismissed, the Phillies were struggling to keep their head above water with a record of 22-29. Once Thomson was handed the keys to the team, the Phils responded by snagging a Wild Card spot and clinching their first postseason berth since the 2011 season.

Thomson turned this team around

A baseball lifer, Thomson, 59, has a wealth of baseball knowledge at his disposal and hasn’t been shy in sharing it with the team. During his term as manager, he has earned the respect and adoration of his team and many Phillies players have publicly shown support for their skipper.

In August, the reigning NL MVP and Phillies star Bryce Harper was seen rocking an “I ride with Philly Rob” t-shirt during batting practice.

Harper also credited Thomson with turning the Phillies’ season around.

“They’ve been able to come up here and really be successful,” Harper told the NBC Sports Philadelphia broadcast. “We have a manager that wants them to be successful as well. I mean, you guys have seen that with Rob Thomson. Giving them the opportunity, giving them the chances to play and giving them the chances to be successful in every single spot that they’re in.”

Veteran pitcher Kyle Gibson shared a similar sentiment by highlighting the difference in approach between ex-manager Joe Girardi and Rob Thomson.

“A little bit of the air got let out of the room there when Girardi was fired and Topper [Thomson] came in,” pitcher Kyle Gibson said. “He just reaffirmed his confidence in our club, and I think it was something that we needed to hear.”

Thomson has done a great job of building chemistry in the locker room and players seem eager to rally for him.

“Thoms is great. He’s been around a long time,” star catcher J.T Realmuto said. “We’ve all had a lot of respect for him since the day he stepped foot in this clubhouse. He’s just a really easy guy to play for.”

With Thomson now entrenched as the manager through 2024, expect him to continue to make a positive imprint on the team.

Photo credit: AP Photo/David J. Phillip