Interim manager Don Mattingly guided the Philadelphia Phillies to a 9-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday, clinching a series win as he takes the helm following the firing of Rob Thomson.
The Phillies parted ways with Thomson on Tuesday morning, according to MLB Trade Rumors' Anthony Franco.
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Don Mattingly will serve as interim skipper for the remainder of the 2026 season, the team announced.
The move creates a rare father-son dynamic in the front office, as Mattingly now reports to his son, Preston Mattingly, who has been the Phillies' general manager since 2024.
This is believed to be the first father-son manager-GM combination in MLB history.
Philadelphia's early-season struggles—an 8-16 record—prompted the change.
Reliever Brad Keller expressed sympathy for Thomson, saying, "A good man just lost his job because we weren't playing well."
Since Mattingly took over, the Phillies have posted a 26-11 record, lifting the team above . 500.
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After Sunday's win, Mattingly praised the lineup's depth: "That whole middle of our order today… I felt like we got contributions in other places, too."
Mattingly's interim role comes seven months after he experienced a Game 7 World Series loss as a coach with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Reflecting on that defeat, he said, "If you're the team that doesn't get the last out, it's a crash."
He added, "You feel for those guys who laid their hearts out to do everything. You're really proud of that team, of those guys."
During his departure from Toronto, Mattingly was one of the last to leave the dugout alongside shortstop Bo Bichette.
"I've known Bo a long time. I always liked the way he played," Mattingly said.
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Former Toronto manager John Schneider also expressed respect for Mattingly, who noted, "Toronto did a lot for me."
