Phillies’ Don Mattingly Sends Honest Rob Thomson Message Amid Turnaround

BusinessSportsMoneyPhillies’ Don Mattingly Sends Honest Rob Thomson Message Amid TurnaroundByPeter Chawaga,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Peter Chawaga is a writer and editor covering Major League Baseball.Follow AuthorJun 06, 2026, 06:30am EDTSAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 25: Manager Don Mattingly #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on before the game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on May 25, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThe Philadelphia Phillies have spent the last several weeks playing like a club determined to erase the disappointment of a turbulent first half. After making a managerial change in May, the team has surged back into the National League playoff race behind dominant starting pitching and a lineup that has rediscovered its rhythm.That turnaround has coincided with Don Mattingly taking over in the dugout. “The Phillies have the best record in baseball at 24-10 since Don Mattingly took over as manager, after the Milwaukee Brewers lost tonight,” NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark noted on Thursday. “And now the Phillies have the best starting staff ERA in the majors since Don Mattingly took over, at 2.79, over that span.”ForbesRays Pitcher Cuts Ties With Team Just 3 Days After Disastrous DebutBy Peter ChawagaPhiladelphia Phillies’ New Manager Don Mattingly Sends Rob Thomson Message, ‘That Stinks’The veteran baseball figure inherited a difficult situation after long-time skipper Rob Thomson was dismissed, but the Phillies have responded with one of the best stretches in baseball. But even amid the resurgence, Mattingly has made clear that he has mixed emotions about how he ended up in the role. “Listen, as great as it’s been for these guys to show that they didn’t suddenly forget how to play baseball, there’s still a part of this that stinks for me, because of Rob (Thomson) losing his job,” Mattingly told MLB.com’s Mike Lupica. “I mean, o...