He was fired by chief executive officer Fred Wilpon on June 12, 2003 after a 29–35 start to the season.
[4][5] In the late 1990s, Phillips assembled a Mets team made up of stars, such as Al Leiter, Mike Piazza, and Robin Ventura, as well as excellent role players, that played in the 2000 World Series against the New York Yankees.
He is also credited with drafting David Wright, Scott Kazmir, and Lastings Milledge, and signing José Reyes.
Additionally, Phillips is criticized for acquiring aging and ineffective players with large contracts such as Mo Vaughn, Roberto Alomar, Pedro Astacio, Mike Bordick, Bobby Bonilla, Rickey Henderson, Kenny Rogers, and Jeromy Burnitz.
The Mets defended Phillips privately and publicly, and the alleged victim's attorney was even quoted as believing in his sincerity.
As an analyst he was critical of the Cincinnati Reds Rule 5 Draft acquisition, Josh Hamilton, stating that Hamilton, who had walked away from the game because of substance abuse issues, was being given the chance to make the major league team (through the Rule 5 draft) without spending the time in the minor leagues which the other players had, thus sending the wrong message to those players.
[15] After Williams' departure to NBC to host the Golf Channel's morning show, Dan Graca served as Phillips' co-host on an interim basis.
[16] Phillips currently works as a host on SiriusXM's MLB Network Radio on The Leadoff Spot with Xavier Scruggs and Eduardo Perez.