Dave Dombrowski Got the Last Laugh on John Henry

Despite compiling a .588-win percentage, three AL East titles, and one World Series championship, the Boston Red Sox fired Dave Dombrowski. They weren’t even a year removed from their most recent World Series win. Since his firing, his replacement Chaim Bloom led the team to three last-place finishes in four years before being fired this year. Dombrowski meanwhile has already led the Philadelphia Phillies to one pennant. He is currently on the verge of going to the World Series for the second consecutive year. It’s safe to say that Dave Dombrowski got the last laugh on John Henry.

Fired After Just Winning a Championship

When Dombrowski was fired, they weren’t even a year removed from winning the World Series. The 2018 Red Sox are the best team in franchise history. The firing was a surprise to everyone inside and outside of baseball including Dombrowski himself. Worst of all, he wasn’t even allowed to see the season through, which was very disrespectful, especially for an executive who just won the World Series.

Dombrowski’s Successor Was a Failure

After the season ended, Boston hired Chaim Bloom away from the division rival Tampa Bay Rays. After Bloom was hired, the Red Sox immediately declined. Bloom’s four-year run as Dombrowski’s successor was mostly a disaster. Aside from a surprise trip to the ALCS in 2021, Boston finished in last place the three other times. Bloom’s time with Boston was also filled with many questionable decisions. If John Henry puts his ego aside, I bet you he wishes he didn’t fire Dombrowski.

Making All the Right Moves in Philadelphia

After spending 2020 helping try to lure an expansion franchise to Nashville, Dombrowski was hired by the Philadelphia Phillies to lead their baseball operations. Upon being hired, he immediately signed key free agents J.T. Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber, Craig Kimbrel, Nick Castellanos, and more. This year he also signed Trea Turner to a long-term deal. Dombrowski has also been able to swing masterful trades for Michael Lorenzen, and Jose Alvarado.

Dombrowski’s Bold Move Got the Phillies on Track

After a lean first season, Dombrowski made the bold move the following year to fire manager Joe Girardi early in 2022. He then initially named Rob Thomson the interim manager. The move paid immediate dividends to Philadelphia. They won the NL pennant and made it back to the World Series for the first time since 2009. Thomson has since become the permanent manager in Philadelphia and the team has been able to prove 2022 wasn’t a fluke.

Dombrowski Has Continued to Thrive While Boston Now Struggles

While Boston has struggled since Dombrowski was fired, Philadelphia has thrived. They won the NL pennant in 2022 and are on their way to winning it a second consecutive time. Meanwhile, Boston finished in last place for the third time in four years. It is still befuddling why John Henry fired one of his most successful general manager. Boston’s mistake ended up being Philadelphia’s gain. The Phillies love the job he did so much they they’ve extended Dombrowski’s contract thru 2027. As Philadelphia continues to have success, this makes it even more apparent that Dave Dombrowski has had the biggest last laugh on John Henry.

For more on baseball, check out Belly Up Sports and follow Eric on Twitter. Featured Image: Getty Images