The Truth About Rob Thomson That Phillies Fans Need to Know

When the Philadelphia Phillies fired Manager Joe Girardi after starting the 2022 season with a 22-29 record, the assumption was that Rob Thomson would just be the interim manager to get through the season.

But after reaching the 2022 World Series, the interim tag was removed and Thomson was named the full-time Manager. With a record of 265-198, the man that Joe Torre nicknamed "Topper" has the best winning percentage of any Phillies Manager who has been at the helm for at least 400 games (.572).

Thomson has been the target of some fans' exasperation with the Phillies over the last couple of years. The perception is that it is the "Manager's Job" to get the players to perform better, and a segment of the fanbase believes the manager is solely responsible for lineup construction.

But one former MLB Executive says that Rob Thomson is a better Phillies manager than some fans may realize or understand.

Is Rob Thomson Actually One of MLB's Best Managers?

Despite what many Phillies' fans would consider better judgment, Manager Rob Thomson went with Jordan Romano in the 10th Inning of the Phillies win over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday Night Baseball. Romano had just his seventh outing in which he allowed zero runs and got his second save of the 2025 season.

On the latest edition of the Phillies Show Podcast, former Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr explains why Thomson going with the former All-Star Closer Jordan Romano on Sunday Night was an example of what makes "Topper" a great manager:

"That's why I believe Rob Thomson is the best manager in baseball because he tries to breed confidence in players even when they're not confident. It's pretty clear that Jordan Romano didn't know what the hell he was doing, like what the hell's going on; And for (Thomson) to put him in that situation and allow him to thrive, I think that's what separates (Thomson) from other guys.

It'd be so easy for me to just say 'You know what, if I was a manager, this guy can't get anybody out, you know I'm not I'm not putting him in the game'. Well (Thomson) understands the psyche of a player; He understands the fact that they need (Romano), they're going to have to have him (to pitch). (The Phillies) need this man to be good ,and how do I make this guy (pitch) good? I have got to give him the confidence, to give him opportunities to get there."

Amaro Jr, a former 8-year MLB Outfielder, worked in the Phillies front office first as Assistant General Manager (1998-2008) and General Manager (2009-2015). Also, people may forget Amaro Jr worked as a First Base Coach with the Boston Red Sox, and the New York Mets.

This is an interesting perspective on Rob Thomson because if his best attributes as a Manager are Intangibles, that means the majority of his best work goes unseen by the Phillies fan base.

While fans debate about the Phillies Batting Lineup and in-game pitching changes, Thomson background as a Director of Player Development and Bench Coach with the New York Yankees makes him uniquely qualified to work with players behind the scenes.

But while Amaro Jr. points to how Thomson handled Romano has a big deal, I would argue another decision recently by Rob Thomson may be the best move yet for the Phillies Manager.

This Is The Biggest Decision Of The Rob Thomson Managerial Tenure

For all the criticism, fair and unfair, that Rob Thomson gets on a daily basis from disgruntled Phillies fans, one of the biggest recent moves has the biggest payoff.

Many people were conflicted when the Phillies decided to start playing Bryson Stott as the team's leadoff hitter on April 11th. Before the 2025 season, Stott only had 53 games as a leadoff hitter, and he struggled with 41 Strikeouts in those games.

But in 2025, Stott has been a totally different leadoff hitter. In 14 games, Stott has accumulated 17 base hits and six walks along with Nine Runs Batted In. After 28 games, Stott now has one of the highest On-Base Percentages (.367) of any Phillies' Hitter. Also, Stott's Batting Average (.292) of any Phillies player who has played at least 17 games this season.

Now, whether you want to give Rob Thomson the credit or the Phillies organization credit for Stott's resurgent bat at the leadoff hitter, either way, it has worked out well for the 27-year-old who was the 14th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft.