Every MLB fan realizes that the stakes are about to become way higher in October for the sport’s 12 playoff teams, but are any of these clubs’ managers under extra-intense scrutiny this postseason?
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal was asked about this on Friday during a new episode of the “Foul Territory” program, and he discussed the job security of two managers whose teams have already clinched a playoff berth: New York Yankees’ Aaron Boone and Philadelphia Phillies’ Rob Thomson.
Rosenthal was specifically asked if any managers would be in danger of getting fired if they’re team got bounced early from the playoffs.
“If indeed (the Yankees) get knocked out early … I’m not even sure … (Boone) would get fired,” Rosenthal said.
“He’s so close with Brian Cashman, the GM, (and) so well thought of by their owner, Hal Steinbrenner. I know fans have wanted him fired … but it hasn’t happened, and it would take a lot for it to happen. I would think it would take a first-round exit … for it to even become an issue.”
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“And then Rob Thomson, the Philadelphia Phillies,” Rosenthal continued. “They go to the World Series in ’22. They lose in seven games in the NLCS … to the Arizona Diamondbacks in ’23, and then they lose in the division series to the Mets last year. They’ve gone backwards each year.”
“If they get knocked out in the first round, will the question be raised? I’m sure it’ll be raised,” Rosenthal added. “I don’t know that it will lead to change. In my view, Rob Thomson is the perfect manager for that team, but Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations, could decide — I’m just speaking hypothetically — ‘You know what? We haven’t gotten there with this manager, let’s try another one.’”
Boone has a .583 career winning percentage as Yankees manager, with three AL East titles and one World Series appearance in seven-plus seasons (this being his eighth). Thomson, whose postseason resumé with the Phillies was outlined by Rosenthal, has a .579 career winning percentage with the team in nearly four seasons.
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Neither Boone nor Thomson have managed another club.
