Call to the pen
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Philadelphia Phillies have found their manager

By David Hill

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 22: Third base coach Dusty Wathan and bench coach Rob Thompson of the Philadelphia Phillies try to restrain Bryce Harper who charged out of the dugout at home plate Umpire Mark Carlson after being called out on strikes in the 4th inning and shouting from the dugout at Carlson as Harper was ejected from the game in an MLB baseball game against the New York Mets on April 22, 2019 at Citi Field in the Queens borough of New York City. Mets won 5-1. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 22: Third base coach Dusty Wathan and bench coach Rob Thompson of the Philadelphia Phillies try to restrain Bryce Harper who charged out of the dugout at home plate Umpire Mark Carlson after being called out on strikes in the 4th inning and shouting from the dugout at Carlson as Harper was ejected from the game in an MLB baseball game against the New York Mets on April 22, 2019 at Citi Field in the Queens borough of New York City. Mets won 5-1. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia Phillies were dead in the water. They had a 22-29 record and had just fired manager Joe Girardi. Rob Thompson was handed the role on an interim basis, and with the Phillies languishing in third place 12.5 games back, he was basically there just to hold down the fort until the offseason when they would presumably find their long term answer.

That may not be the case any longer. The Phillies have responded to Thompson more than anyone could have imagined, going on a 24-13 run with him at the helm. They have gone from a team that looked like sellers when Memorial Day Weekend had come around to the thick of the Wild Card hunt.

Philadelphia Phillies need to remove interim tag from Rob Thompson

That is a testament to Thompson and the job he has done. He has trusted his younger players and opened lines of communication. The Phillies have responded, finally living up to their potential. And this has happened despite the loss of their best player, Bryce Harper,

What makes this even more impressive is that Thompson had never managed at the major league level before. The long time coach had been renouned for his communication skills during his career, but at 58 years old, it was fair to wonder if he would ever get a chance to be in charge of his own major league squad. Suffic to say, no one is questioning his ability any longer.

It is time that the Phillies recognize the job that Thompson has done. His impressive performance with a roster that had been underperforming to that point in 2022, and ability to get the younger players to start to live up to their potential, deserves something from the organization.

What Thompson deserves is to have the interim tag removed. With every game that passes, he is showing that he is the right man for the job. The Phillies are responding to his guidance, and at this point, it is more than just a boost from having a new voice. Thompson has been exactly what this roster needed.

Next. Phillies refuse to fold after Harper's injury. dark

Rob Thompson has done more than the Philadelphia Phillies could have imagined. It is time that they remove the interim tag from his title.

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