The Philadelphia Phillies have consistently been one of the best teams in baseball over the last few years.
Under Dave Dombrowski, the team has increased their regular season win total every year. It is a streak that started even before he was running the front office, seeing improvements in six consecutive 162-game campaigns.
Through the first 37 games of the 2025 MLB regular season, the Phillies are 22-15. That puts them on pace to push that streak to seven years with a .595 winning percentage.
They are going to be in a battle with the New York Mets, who are currently 1.5 games ahead of them in the National League East, for the division title.
Given how well they have performed, despite some holes in their roster, such as in the bullpen, it would be fair to think manager Rob Thomson is doing a good job leading the team.
However, Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report has a different take on the situation, placing the Philadelphia leader amongst the honorable mentions of managers who could be on the hot seat after the Pittsburgh Pirates fired their manager, Derek Shelton.
“Thomson authored an all-time save in 2022, taking over for Joe Girardi in June and guiding the Phillies to the World Series. Yet the team hasn't made forward progress since then, and it now finds itself looking up at the New York Mets in the NL East. If progress continues to stall or even reverses, a new leader could be needed,” he wrote.
The forward progress Rymer mentions is likely in reference to their postseason play.
Since making the World Series in 2022, they have excited the playoffs earlier and earlier each subsequent year.
In 2023 they blew a 3-2 lead in the NLCS to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Last year, after winning 95 games and taking home the NL East title, earning a bye into the NLDS, they were eliminated by the Mets in four games.
They way things are trending now, especially with New York playing so well, a wild card spot could be in their future, which would be another step backward.
However, is that enough of a reason for a franchise to fire their manager?
Expectations are certainly high for the Phillies, but Thomson being mentioned as someone on the hot seat seems a bit farfetched, especially since he had his contract extended just seven months ago through the 2026 campaign.
Another early postseason exit would certainly sting, but Thomson is getting the most out of a team that has glaring weaknesses that have to be addressed ahead of the deadline.
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The 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame class had its day in Cooperstown on Sunday. This year's class included Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner, who were elected by the eligible voters from the Baseball Writer's Association of America, and Dave Parker and Dick Allen, who were elected by the Classic Baseball Era Committee. Here are some of the top highlights from Sunday's induction speeches. Dave Parker's son reads poem written by Hall of Fame father Parker's induction into the Hall of Fame was long overdue, and he sadly did not have the opportunity to enjoy the moment of seeing his name in the Hall of Fame as he died June 28. That left his speech in the hands of his son, Dave Parker II, who read a poem written by his dad. Parker spent the majority of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he was an MVP winner, two-time batting champion and World Series champion with the 1979 "We Are Family" team. Dick Allen's wife remembers his kindness Allen was the other veterans committee inductee, and his widow, Willa Allen, spent the majority of her speech remember the kindness of Allen off the field as much as his ability on the field. Allen is going into the Hall of Fame as a Phillie but won the 1972 American League MVP with the Chicago White Sox. He led the league in OPS four times and was the 1964 National League Rookie of the Year. A reminder that Billy Wagner wasn't naturally left-handed Being left-handed is a huge advantage (and money-maker) for pitchers, and Wagner was one of the most dominant left-handed relief pitchers to ever step onto a mound in the big leagues. But he wasn't always left-handed. Wagner was a natural-born right-handed person but taught himself how to throw left-handed after fracturing his right arm twice as a kid. It led to quite a career. Wagner made a name for himself with the Houston Astros but also spent years with the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox. CC Sabathia takes playful dig at Ichiro Sabathia accomplished a ton in his 19-year big league career. He won 251 games, won the 2007 American League Cy Young Award, was the 2009 ALCS MVP and a World Series champion. He still has apparently not gotten over the one individual award he did not win — the 2001 American League Rookie of the Year Award, which went to fellow 2025 inductee Ichiro. Sabathia made sure to make a playful dig at that. Sabathia was the only American League rookie outside of Ichiro — who also won the American League MVP that year — to get a first-place vote. He received one. The others all went to Ichiro. Ichiro stole the show Ichiro stole 509 bases in his Hall of Fame career, and on Sunday, he added one more steal to his list of accomplishments by absolutely stealing the show at Cooperstown. He delivered two of the best lines of the day, first by calling out the one lone writer who did not vote for him, keeping him from being just the second unanimous Hall of Fame inductee ever (after Mariano Rivera). His best line of the day, however, might have been when he referenced his brief time as a member of the Miami Marlins toward the end of his career. Ichiro played 14 of his 19 seasons with the Seattle Mariners while also spending time with the Marlins and Yankees.
The Las Vegas Raiders were without Malcolm Koonce last season after he tore his ACL before the season started. So, they had to rely on production from other players, like Charles Snowden, K'Lavon Chaisson, Tyree Wilson, and others. And, to be fair to those guys, it worked -- despite all of the injuries the Raiders had on the defensive line last season, to Koonce, Maxx Crosby, Christian Wilkins, and Tyree Wilson, the defensive line was still really, really good, and that's props to Robbie Leonard, the DL coach. Now, it's been a year -- Koonce, who hasn't played in a year, was brought back as a free agent on a one-year deal, where he will get to prove himself, that he's still the same guy despite the injury. If he is, they will likely bring him back on a bigger, long-term deal. If he's not, then the Raiders may just move on. Koonce has been back at camp, and the Raiders couldn't be happier to see him. Patrick Graham is happy to see Malcolm Koonce at training camp “I'm excited for him to get a chance to get out there and get better. I'm glad he’s back. His energy both on the field and in the classroom is infectious. The fact that he goes out there and executes at a high level, it’s always encouraging to see that, and it’s a good example for other players," defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said on Day 4 of training camp. 2023 was a crazy season for Koonce. His performance was particularly notable in the second half of the season, where he recorded six of his eight sacks and 10 of his 17 quarterback hits in the final four games, with a standout game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day, where he notched a career-high three sacks and eight pressures against Patrick Mahomes. He was balling, for sure. His performance surged after Week 8, with 35 pressures, seven sacks, six tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hits, and three forced fumbles, establishing him as one of the NFL’s top pass rushers during that stretch. If the Raiders can get that back in 2025, things are going to get scary for the rest of the league.
This year’s NBA offseason could see a lightning strike in the near future. The Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus has suggested a new, three-team trade between the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets that would send LeBron James, alongside his son Bronny James, to Dallas in a dramatic, yet significant deal to reshape all three teams’ futures. Here’s why. LeBron James to the Dallas Mavericks LeBron James opted into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 NBA season. However, James’ decision was met with skepticism by several NBA executives. Some NBA insiders expected James, 40, to opt out and sign a one-plus-one deal. The decision drove chatter of possible discontent and a potential end to his Lakers run. James holds one of the NBA’s rare no-trade clauses. Therefore, James can decide where he would land. Multiple NBA insiders have said that the Dallas Mavericks are high on James’ list. Joining the Mavericks would allow James to reunite with Kyrie Irving, join forces with Anthony Davis again, and play under Jason Kidd, who served as an assistant coach during the Lakers’ 2020 NBA championship run. James, Mavericks Outlook LeBron James is 40 years old and will turn 41 on December 30, 2025. However, James is still playing like a top-tier NBA player. If the Dallas Mavericks acquire James, the Mavericks could receive star power, shot creation, and veteran leadership. A Mavericks goal appears to be winning while the team’s NBA championship window is still open. The Mavericks would receive LeBron James (via Lakers), Bronny James (via Lakers), Drew Timme (via Nets), Tyrese Martin (via Nets), a $1.8 million trade exception, and a $1.1 million trade exception. The Mavericks could benefit from a solid core of James, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Cooper Flagg and Dereck Lively II. The Lakers would receive Daniel Gafford (via Mavericks), PJ Washington (via Mavericks), Naji Marshall (via Mavericks), Caleb Martin (via Mavericks), Jaden Hardy (via Mavericks), a 2030 Los Angeles Lakers second-round pick (via Nets), a 2031 Los Angeles Lakers second-round pick (via Nets) and a $24.1 million trade exception. The Lakers could start the Luka Doncic era. The Brooklyn Nets would receive Dalton Knecht (via Lakers), Maxi Kleber (via Lakers), Olivier-Maxence Prosper (via Mavericks) and Dwight Powell (via Mavericks). The Nets would serve as a facilitator, as the team would acquire assets while helping two contenders shift money around, and perhaps cash considerations. Final Thoughts It’s highly unlikely that LeBron James will be traded to the Dallas Mavericks. However, nothing can be ruled out. The NBA world saw the Luka Doncic trade to the Los Angeles Lakers this past February, and if they’re old enough to remember, the Jason Kidd trade to the Phoenix Suns in December 1996. If and when James is traded to Dallas, James’ presence can help the Mavericks succeed. James can help improve team chemistry, instill confidence in the team, and build a winning culture. James can play multiple positions as a forward, but a huge concern would be James’ declining gameplay and shooting stats.
The Indiana Fever recently defeated the Chicago Sky 93-78, earning a victory over their rivals despite Caitlin Clark being ruled out. Clark has been ruled out for quite some time, having missed a large portion of her second season in the WNBA with a string of injuries. Another WNBA star who's recently dealt with a setback is Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese. The 23-year-old Sky star was ruled out of the matchup against the Fever, nursing a back injury. Before the Fever versus Sky matchup, Indiana coach Stephanie White spoke on the absence of Reese. During her conversation with the media, White labeled Reese as the "best rebounder" in the WNBA. "We know that she is the best rebounder in this league," White said. "The way they use her in the point-forward position sometimes creates some challenges." Angel Reese has earned the label from Stephanie White. Since entering the WNBA last season, Reese has been widely regarded as one of the best rebounders in the league, having capped off her rookie year by averaging a double-double. She finished her rookie season posting 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per game. Reese was second in Rookie of the Year voting behind Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. Throughout her second season in the WNBA, Angel Reese has posted 13.8 points and 12.5 rebounds per game, similar to her stat line from her rookie season. The Chicago Sky will await the return of Reese, who's widely known as their best and most versatile player.
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