Rivalry with Braves has spiked since Thomson’s arrival
Since Rob Thomson became manager of the Phillies, the rivalry with the Atlanta Braves has spiked.
Thomson conceded Thursday it was not unlike the competition between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox at the height of their rivalry in the ALCS in 2003.
“I think there are some comparisons there, no doubt,” Thomson said on a Zoom availability. “Two really talented ball clubs that play hard, that compete. And we’ve been going head-to-head here for a few years. And the same thing with the Mets. I think that’s healthy. I think that’s great for the sport, I think it’s great for the players to have that type of environment. It makes it a lot of fun for me.”
The Phils and Braves get after it Friday (3:05 p.m., NBC 10), the new opening day after the rain postponement in a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park.
The Thomson Phillies are 13-19 (.406) versus the Braves in the regular season, including 5-8 last year. Thomson has sent the Braves home in each of the last two NLDS playoffs, the Phils prevailing 3-1 both times.
The 2023 season marked the second straight campaign the Phillies reached the NLCS after missing the playoffs in 10 straight seasons.
The Phillies since have rolled through so many managers it’s hard to remember them all. The list includes Charlie Manuel, Ryne Sandberg, Pete Mackanin, Gabe Kapler and Joe Girardi. The Phillies wee 22-29 when Thomson took over for Girardi.
Thomson, 60, is 155-118 (.568) as manager of the Phillies. After finishing 14 games out of first in the NL East last season, Thomson said the Phils are eager to take the next step and win the pennant this year against essentially the same Braves squad that won 104 games last year.
“Well, it’s a rivalry,” Thomson said. “I don’t know whether there’s animosity but there’s a great deal of respect. We’ve had a lot of tough battles over the last couple years. So, I think it’s generally respect more than anything.”
Thomson appreciates the challenge of managing at CBP, where the fans won’t tolerate less than total effort from players and managers alike.
Shortstop Trea Turner, for example. had a rough time last season before ending an 0-for-17 drought with an RBI single and a home run. Turner came out of the dugout for a curtain call, then paid for a billboard thanking fans.
“I’m not sure if there’s another environment that you can compare it to,” Thomson said. “If you want to come to Philly and play on this ballclub and play on this organization you’ve got to be tough because there are going to be tough times when you’re not playing well, and
the fan base lets you know about it. But when you’re doing well it is unbelievable how good it is. So, I think you’ve got to have some toughness if you come to play here. And I think it is difficult on visiting teams at times when they come in here. You’ve got 48,000 people just screaming at you. It’s very raucous and energetic and it can get overwhelming to some people. You’ve got to have thick skin.”