Rob Thomson explains why he did NOT retaliate after Spencer Strider hit Bryce Harper

Rob Thomson says there was no need for retaliation. He believes Spencer Strider didn’t mean to hit Bryce Harper on Tuesday night. That it was just “a pitch that got away.” That it was baseball.

Sorry, but that’s not good enough.

This isn’t about intent. It’s not about whether Strider was aiming for Harper’s elbow with a 95 mph fastball. This is about optics. It’s about tone. And it’s about setting the standard that nobody — nobody — comes into Citizens Bank Park and takes out your franchise cornerstone without consequences.

Rob Thomson on Spencer Strider Retaliation

Rob Thomson says there was no retaliation for Harper getting hit by Strider’s pitch because he believes it was not intentional@SportsRadioWIP pic.twitter.com/ZTj6qVbZW6
— Devan Kaney (@Devan_Kaney) May 29, 2025

The Rafael Marchan Game: Phillies beat Braves 5–4 in Game 1 without Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper has started every single game this year. He’s been the engine behind this ridiculous 23-wins-in-29 stretch. He gets plunked in the elbow and has to leave the game early. And what did the Phillies do in response?

Nothing.

Not a damn thing.

The Braves walked out of that game knowing they could put one of our best players in street clothes, and we wouldn’t even blink. That’s not Philly. That’s not how this team should operate.

Ranger Suárez should’ve drilled the first Atlanta batter he saw in the ribs. No discussion. No delay. Just plant someone on their backside and remind them that if you touch our guy — intentional or not — there’s a price to pay. That’s not some outdated “old-school baseball” mindset either. That’s the code. That’s protecting your team.

This is your division rival. You’re in first place. They’ve been chirping from behind all year, and now they come into your ballpark and knock your MVP out of the game? You have to send a message. Letting it slide makes you look soft. You don’t think Atlanta would’ve fired back if the roles were reversed?

Rob Thomson is a great manager, but this was a misstep. This Phillies team is too good to be passive. You can still win games and have a spine. And when the next big series rolls around — maybe October, maybe sooner — you better believe the Braves remember what they can get away with.

The Phillies missed their shot. Sorry.