Oct 9, 2023; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (7) celebrates with manager Rob Thomson (59) after scoring a run during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves in game two of the NLDS for the 2023 MLB playoffs at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports Brett Davis
PHILADELPHIA — Tuesday was a bittersweet day for many long-time Phillies, as the club turned in a near-perfect effort to win Don Mattingly's first game as interim manager hours after Rob Thomson was fired.
Trea Turner went 4-for-5 with an RBI in Tuesday's 7-0 win over the San Francisco Giants, a great sign for one of the faces of the team as the Phillies, now 10-19, try to dig out of an early hole.
After the game, Turner was asked about his thoughts on the dismissal of Thomson, who had been his manager since he joined the Phillies in 2023.
"It's tough, man," Turner said when asked about what kind of message is sent when a managerial change is made.
"I know Rob's, like, in charge of us ... talks to you guys [media] and he's managing us, but we gotta go out there and play baseball. He's not the one fielding ground balls, making pitches, so he's not losing those games out there, it's us and we gotta play better. I guess that's the business side of how it works. It's not fun to be a part of. I don't think anybody here wanted this, but sometimes change could be a good thing and hopefully we roll with it and play a lot better baseball."
Trea Turner gives his thoughts on the decision by the Phillies to move on from Rob Thomson.
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/HylQMV5Ghw
There seemed to be a sense of guilt from Turner, and he was hardly the only one who gave off that vibe Tuesday. Sometimes when a manager is dismissed, there's a sign of relief from players. This was not one of those cases. Every Phillies player that spoke Tuesday seemed genuine in their reverence for Thomson.
At the same time, the season goes on. Turner admitted it was difficult to try to compartmentalize all the emotions Tuesday and get ready for a game, but the Phillies did just that, and they hope this will be the start of a 2022-esque turnaround to the season.
"Yeah, it's tough," Turner said. "The first, I think, three, four hours here was weird. It feels different already. I've never had to go through anything like this. I think some of the guys have been through this situation, but you don't wanna be here, none of us wanna be here in this situation.
"And we've kind of done it to ourselves, and it's on us to pull ourselves out and keep playing better. We believe that we can do it. That's all that really matters, what the guys in here think. Donnie gave us a good message today, just go out there and keep fighting and grinding and play Phillie baseball and today was a good start."
