PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) – The Philadelphia Phillies have sacked coach Joe Girardi and appointed bench coach Rob Thomson as interim replacement.
The Phillies have also relieved coach Bobby Meacham of his duties.
The team made the announcement Friday morning, hours before the Phillies face Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels at Citizens Bank Park.
The showdown was a great game for the Phillies, who eliminated the Angels 10-0, with home runs from Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Nick Maton and Bryson Stott.
#BREAKING
The Phillies have relieved Joe Girardi of his duties as coach today. Bench coach Rob Thomson has been named the club’s interim coach until the end of the 2022 season. Pic.twitter.com/gVvQatOc0p
– Jamie Apody (@JamieApody) June 3, 2022
Girardi talked about his departure during his weekly scheduled MLB Network Radio appearance on SiriusXM.
“I think there are several reasons why we didn’t win. I think we gave too many extra outs that probably cost us four or five games, maybe even more. I think sometimes our bullpen fought. We had some guys who I think have things much better than the potential they also threw, ”Girardi said.
“And I think some guys started with slow starts offensively. And that happens, right? I think sometimes you can overcome one thing, maybe even two, but sometimes when it’s more than that I think it’s a little difficult. I can look back on this last week when we were 3-7 and I think realistically we probably should have been 7-3. reach the playoffs “.
Girardi said Phillies baseball operations president David Dombrowski told him this morning that the team would “make a change.”
The Phillies currently have a 23-29 record and are third in the National League East, 11.5 games behind the top-ranked New York Mets.
Girardi said he hopes the Phillies can change that and praised the team’s ownership very positively.
“The Middleton and Buck family have been great. They were great for me. I really love them. They are great owners. (The franchise) deserves better,” Girardi said.
Dombrowski issued the following statement:
“It has been a frustrating season for us so far, as we feel that our club has not lived up to its capabilities. Although we all share the responsibility for the shortcomings, I felt that a change was needed and that A new voice in the clubhouse would give us the best chance to change things. the right man to guide us forward. “
Thomson becomes the 56th manager in franchise history. He has served as the team’s bench coach while coordinating spring training for the past five seasons after being initially hired on December 5, 2017.
As for Thomson, Girardi said, “I’d say he’s the best coach I’ve ever been with.”
“I think he deserved a chance a long time ago,” Girardi said.
This year marks Thomson’s 38th season in professional baseball.
“I am very excited about this opportunity and appreciate the confidence Dave has shown in me,” Thomson said in a statement. “That being said, this is an emotional day for me, having worked so closely with Joe for so many years. This has been my home for the past five years and I am very concerned about this franchise, this city, our players, our coaches, our staff and our fans. I’m ready to lead this team and I look forward to getting to work and turning it around. “
Girardi led the Philistines for over two years and was 132-141. During his 14 seasons as a Major League Coach with the Florida Marlins (2006), New York Yankees (2008-17) and Phillies (2020-22), Girardi is 1120-935.
He told SiriusXM that he is eager to attend his daughter’s basketball games and do baptism workouts for his son.
Quality assurance coach Mike Calitri, who has been part of the organization since the 2018 season, has been promoted to bench coach.
Dombrowski still has high hopes for the team this season.
“Oh, I think we can get to the playoffs. I think we’re in a position where we can fight to make it. Yes, I think so,” he said during a press conference in the afternoon.
Thomson added: “I’ve been studying championship clubs for a long time and I really think there are pieces here to be a very good club.”
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