Phillies manager Rob Thomson's decision backfires in World Series loss

HOUSTON — Rob Thomson pushed almost every proper button in guiding the Philadelphia Phillies from 22-29 to National League champions, and himself from interim caretaker to permanent manager.

But their hopes of a World Series championship dissipated shortly after arguably the toughest call he's had to make as the Phillies' leader.

With Zack Wheeler just 73 pitches deep into a dominant start, but runners at the corners in the bottom of the sixth inning of Saturday night's Game 6, Thomson decided his ace had enough.

Soon, the Phillies' season would elapse, too, and Thomson will ...