The Philadelphia Phillies’ five-game winning streak was snapped by the Cincinnati Reds, but the team continues to thrive under new leadership. Since replacing longtime manager Rob Thomson with bench coach Don Mattingly, the Phillies have won six straight series and now hold the best record in the National League, completing a remarkable turnaround.
“You can look at every Hall of Fame manager’s record, and not one has accomplished what Don Mattingly has in the last three weeks,” wrote Jayson Stark and Matt Gelb of The Athletic. “What he’s done since taking over a Phillies team that was floundering is no longer just stunning, transformative, or season-rescuing it’s officially historic.”
Former Phillies Manager Rob Thomson Criticized for Lack of Major-League Playing Experience
On the surface, Mattingly hasn’t made drastic changes since replacing Thomson. The roster remains largely the same. However, one key difference stands out: Mattingly brings a far more distinguished personal playing career to the dugout.
Over 14 seasons with the New York Yankees, he was a six-time All-Star, an MVP, a three-time Silver Slugger, and a nine-time Gold Glover. Thomson, by contrast, never played in the major leagues, peaking as a minor-league catcher over four seasons.
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