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Mid-days On The Fanatic: Weekdays 10am – 2pm

Phillies Give Rob Thomson An Extension Through 2025

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Author Andrew Salciunas and Dylan MacKinnon
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 17: Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson looks on during batting practice before Game Two of the Championship Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park on October 17, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

After getting the Phillies to the World Series as an Interim Manager, Rob Thomson got them to the NLCS in his first full year as the Manager. And that seems to have been enough to get him an extra year in his contract. Today the Phillies signed Rob Thomson to a contract extension through 2025. Previously his contract only went through the next season.

It is not a complete endorsement of the Phillies Skipper. They stopped short of a long-term extension. But it at the least means he won’t be looking over his shoulder this season.

Thomson took over for Joe Girardi after the team got out to a brutal start in 2022. The turnaround was almost immediate, as the club started to play looser, and more importantly, better. There were still some ups and downs, but they wound up in the World Series where they took the Astros to 6 games. That was enough to get him a 2-year deal, which now has turned into a 3-year deal.

Fans and media alike have at times ripped Rob Thomson for his managing style. He has a very quick hook with pitchers in the playoffs, and sometimes that came back to bite him. But it is hard to argue with the results. After years of mediocrity, he has led the Phillies to the playoffs and the NLCS in two straight seasons. And yes the roster is very talented, but they were underperforming when managed by Girardi.

Thomson is on record he considered retirement before he got a chance to manage the Phillies. Now his career has a new life, and he will have a job for at least the next two seasons. We will see next season if he can earn an extension longer than that.

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Every Number The Phillies Have Retired, and 3 They Should

  • #1- Richie Ashburn

    2,574 hits, 234 steals, 1322 runs, all while playing great defense in Center field. Richie Ashburn was one of a kind. He was the 2nd player to go onto the Phillies Wall of Fame, has a section of Citizens Bank Park named after him, and of course, had his #1 retired by the Phillies. He also went on to serve as the Phillies Color Commentator for years alongside Harry Kalas

    National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ on Twitter: "Richie Ashburn was born #OTD in 1927. In 15 big league seasons, the Hall of Fame center fielder hit over .300 nine times, retiring with a career .308 batting average. pic.twitter.com/PymUvuZR9k / Twitter"

    Richie Ashburn was born #OTD in 1927. In 15 big league seasons, the Hall of Fame center fielder hit over .300 nine times, retiring with a career .308 batting average. pic.twitter.com/PymUvuZR9k

  • #14- Jim Bunning

    Jim Bunning only spent 6 of his 17 seasons with the Phillies. But he made the most of that limited time. Bunning is perhaps best known for his Father’s Day Perfect Game. He is one of just two pitchers to throw a perfect game for the Phillies (we will get to the other guy later). Bunning made 9 All-Star teams, is on the Phillies Wall of Fame, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame as well. Now his number 14 hangs up in Citizens Bank Park, and will never be worn by a Phillies player again.

    Philadelphia Phillies on Twitter: "On this date in 1964, the late Jim Bunning tossed the seventh perfect game in MLB history in a 6-0 victory over the Mets. pic.twitter.com/cP5WNiRNHg / Twitter"

    On this date in 1964, the late Jim Bunning tossed the seventh perfect game in MLB history in a 6-0 victory over the Mets. pic.twitter.com/cP5WNiRNHg

  • #15- Dick Allen

    The most recent name to go up there among the retired numbers at Citizens Bank Park. As of now, Allen is the only Phillies player to have his number retired to not be in the Hall of Fame. But that is the MLB’s mistake for not inducting him yet. Allen is definitely deserving of being there. Allen has 351 HRs, 1,119 RBIs, an MVP Award, and 7 All-Star Appearances. The fact that the MLB has continued to snub Allen from the Hall of Fame played a big decision in John Middleton retiring his number 15 in 2020.

    PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 03: Former Philadelphia Phillies player Dick Allen speaks to attendees during his #15 jersey retirement ceremony prior to the game between the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 3, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 6-5 in extra innings.

    (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

  • #20- Mike Schmidt

    Schmidt is the best player in Phillies history. There are some others guys you could maybe argue for, but none with the resume of Schmidt. He is also the Greatest 3rd Basemen in baseball history period. 12- All-Star Games, 10 Gold Gloves, 3 MVPs, and a  World Series victory, to go with his 548 HRs and 1594 RBIs. There is a very good reason no Phillies player will ever wear the number 20 ever again.

  • #32- Steve Carlton

    Carlton has a strong case to be the best Left-handed Pitcher ever. 4 Cy Youngs. He was the first pitcher to ever accomplish that. He is also one of the rare cases of a trade actually going well for the Phillies. He and Schmidt helped break the Phillies curse and win the first World Series in the history of the franchise. And now no one will ever wear his number 32 again for the Phillies.

    PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 25: Steve Carlton throws out the first pitch before the Philadelphia Phillies take on the Tampa Bay Rays during game three of the 2008 MLB World Series on October 25, 2008 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    (Photo by Chris Gardner-Pool/Getty Images)

  • #34-Roy Halladay

    No one spent less time with the Phillies but still had their number retired. Just 4 seasons, only 3 of which went well. But he did more in those few seasons than anyone does in their career. He won a Cy Young, tossed the 2nd Perfect Game in Phillies History, and the 2nd Playoff No-Hitter in MLB History. He sadly passed way before his time, and in the wake of that tragedy, they made the decision to posthumously honor him by retiring his #34.

    https://x.com/MLB/status/1224733844131151876?s=20

  • #36- Robin Roberts

    Robin Roberts pre-dates the Cy Young award, otherwise, he may have a ton of them. He had a 3.41 career ERA, led the league in Complete Games 5 straight times, wins 4 straight times, an strikeouts 2 straight years. He was the first Phillies player to ever go onto the Wall of Fame and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976. Which explains why the Phillies retired his #36.

    National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ on Twitter: "The @Phillies retired Robin Roberts' No. 36 #OTD in 1962 - while Roberts was still an active player. In 14 years in Philadelphia, the righty won a then-team record 234 games. pic.twitter.com/rxCnHTDeCx / Twitter"

    The @Phillies retired Robin Roberts' No. 36 #OTD in 1962 - while Roberts was still an active player. In 14 years in Philadelphia, the righty won a then-team record 234 games. pic.twitter.com/rxCnHTDeCx

  • #42- Jackie Robinson

    Jackie never played for the Phillies. But he became the first and only player to have his number retired by every MLB Team. What Jackie Robinson did was so much bigger than baseball. He was an amazing player, but more importantly, he broke the color barrier in the league. His actions allowed so many more all-time great Baseball players to get their chance. The Phillies have their own shameful role to play in that story. But thankfully now they can join the rest of the MLB in honoring his memory by retiring his number 42. Except on Jackie Robinson Day when everyone wears it.

    Talkin' Baseball on Twitter: "In 2007 Ken Griffey Jr. called MLB commissioner Bud Selig's house to ask if he could wear #42 on Jackie Robinson DaySelig called Rachel Robinson to ask her permission, and he came back with a better idea. Now everyone wears it pic.twitter.com/WkD5YpuGvZ / Twitter"

    In 2007 Ken Griffey Jr. called MLB commissioner Bud Selig's house to ask if he could wear #42 on Jackie Robinson DaySelig called Rachel Robinson to ask her permission, and he came back with a better idea. Now everyone wears it pic.twitter.com/WkD5YpuGvZ

  • P- Chuck Klein

    The Phillies did not adopt numbered jerseys until 1932, with Klein’s career already underway. And in his 11 years with jersey numbers, he wore 7 different numbers, including 1 (already retired for Ashburn), and 32 (Carlton). So instead of retiring a number Klein had no real connection to, they just went with the Old School P that the Phillies wore during his time with the team. Klein hit 300 HRs, 243 of which came with the Phillies. He also accomplished the elusive Triple Crown in 1933.

    Baseball History Through Stats and Pics on Twitter: "Happy Birthday to Hall of Famer Chuck Klein. A 2X All Star, 1X Triple Crown ('33), 1X NL MVP ('32), he played 17 seasons (1928-44'). He hit .320/.379/.543, .922 OPS, 137 OPS+, 300 HR, 1201 RBI, 1168 Runs, 601 Walks, 398 Doubles, 2076 Hits, 46.7 WAR. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/PCCbyiXGOZ / Twitter"

    Happy Birthday to Hall of Famer Chuck Klein. A 2X All Star, 1X Triple Crown ('33), 1X NL MVP ('32), he played 17 seasons (1928-44'). He hit .320/.379/.543, .922 OPS, 137 OPS+, 300 HR, 1201 RBI, 1168 Runs, 601 Walks, 398 Doubles, 2076 Hits, 46.7 WAR. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/PCCbyiXGOZ

  • P- Grover Cleveland Alexander

    While Klein had too many numbers to pick one to retire, Alexander had no numbers. His entire career came before the Phillies ever wore Jersey numbers. So they had no option but to just put the P there for him. Alexander went into the 3rd ever Hall of Fame Class in 1939. Joining an elite group of players and managers including Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Cy Young, and Connie Mack.

    Baseball In Pics on Twitter: "A famous lineup from a different angle. The inagaural induction class for the Hall of Fame. June 12, 1939 Left to right, front: Eddie Collins, Babe Ruth, Connie Mack and Cy Young. Left to right, rear: Honus Wagner, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Tris Speaker, Napoleon LaJoie, George... pic.twitter.com/IV34WPDm6S / Twitter"

    A famous lineup from a different angle. The inagaural induction class for the Hall of Fame. June 12, 1939 Left to right, front: Eddie Collins, Babe Ruth, Connie Mack and Cy Young. Left to right, rear: Honus Wagner, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Tris Speaker, Napoleon LaJoie, George... pic.twitter.com/IV34WPDm6S

  • 3 More That Should Be Retired Eventually

  • #6- Ryan Howard

    For 5 years, Ryan Howard was as good as any Power Hitter in the league. It is unfortunate his career got a late start, and injuries forced it to end early. But from 2005-2011 he was a force to be reckoned with. His 382 HRs are 2nd in Phillies history, he won MVP and Rookie of the Year, holds the Phillies Single Season HR Record, and of course, helped them win their 2nd World Series. He absolutely deserves to be up on that Wall with these other 10 players.

  • #11- Jimmy Rollins

    Jimmy Rollins should be in the Hall of Fame, but that is an argument for another day. What is even less up for debate is his place among the Phillies whose numbers have been retired. Rollins is in the exclusive 20-20-20-20 club, which is for guys who hit 20 Hrs, 20 Doubles, 20 Triples, with 20 steals. The list is him, Curtis Granderson, Will Mays, and Schulte. Even beyond that MVP season, his whole career here was great. Put the man in the Hall, and put him on the Wall alongside Schmidt, Carlton, and Roberts. No one should ever wear the number 11 again.

  • #26- Chase Utley

    As Harry Kalas once said, “Chase Utley, you are the man.” 259 HRs, 233 of which came with the Phillies. He is the least accomplished of the Phillies trio of players from that era. but he is still more than deserving of having his number retired. The guy became a fan favorite just by quietly doing his job, and occasionally dropping a F-Bomb when he finally does say something. Like with Howard’s #6, and Rollins’s #11, no one should ever wear Utley’s #26 ever again.

Dylan MacKinnon is The Digital Content Coordinator For 97.5 The Fanatic. he has been an Eagles, Flyers, Sixers, and Flyers fan his whole life. He graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelors in Journalism. Dylan has worked at the Fanatic since 2016, starting as an Intern, moving to the Street team, and eventually was hired as an Associate Producer before settling into his current role in the Digital Department. You may hear him referred to on-air as "The D-Train."

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