Despite welcoming back both Kyle Schwarber and JT Realmuto with new contracts, the Philadelphia Phillies have been quick to point out they made some substantive changes to the roster this winter.
The team promoted top prospects Andrew Painter and Justin Crawford, replaced outfielder Nick Castellanos with Adolis Garcia and brought in setup man Brad Keller, among other personnel moves. But perhaps the biggest addition to the team was in the coaching staff.
After he left his bench role with the Toronto Blue Jays at the end of last season, former New York Yankees infielder Don Mattingly took a job with the Phillies where his son, Preston, works in the front office and where his old colleague with the Yankees, Rob Thomson, is the manager.
“I’m just here to provide an extra pair of eyes for Rob, as a guy sitting next to him who’s managed before,” Mattingly explained of his role with the Phillies, according to the New York Daily News’ Bill Madden. “It’s a long season and anything can happen. I just know this was the perfect spot for me, working with Preston and Rob.”
New York Yankees Legend Don Mattingly Replaces Philadelphia Phillies’ Rob Thomson
But on Monday, after a bizarre series of events on the field, Mattingly found himself replacing Thomson as the team’s manager after an ejection.
“Don Mattingly takes over for Rob Thomson in the first inning,” NBC Sports Philadelphia reported as the Phillies played the Washington Nationals.
Thomson was ejected for arguing against an umpire’s decision to allow Nationals’ catcher Drew Millas to return to third base after he was tagged out, following an apparent out call at first base for Nationals outfielder Joey Wiemer. Following a review of the play, the umpires indicated that Wiemer was safe at first and Thomson argued that Millas should still be ruled out after the tag.
Managers are not permitted to argue with replay decisions and he was promptly ejected from the game. As the bench coach, it fell to Mattingly to step in for Thomson.
Philadelphia Phillies’ Don Mattingly Gets Early Test As Replacement Manager
Mattingly quickly made a significant decision as the new skipper, opting to remove starting pitcher Taijuan Walker from the game after 99 pitches with six earned runs in 4.2 innings.
After two straight seasons of disappointing playoff exits under Thomson, Phillies fans have been hoping that the addition of Mattingly to the coaching staff could make a significant difference this season. He earned six All-Star nods and nine Gold Glove Awards in a legendary 14-year run with the Yankees, giving him some unique perspective to offer players.
But the Phillies were thinking that Mattingly would advise Thomson, not replace him because of an ejection.
