Phillies Dump Kapler as Manager for Missing MLB Playoffs

Gabe Kapler was fired as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday after the team missed the Major League Baseball playoffs for an eighth consecutive season.

For your passion and dedication to the Phillies and the city of Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/e5t6XomuxF

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 10, 2019

Despite the arrival of star slugger Bryce Harper, the Phillies only managed an 81-81 finish to the regular season and have now not enjoyed a winning campaign since going 102-60 in 2011, when they lost to St. Louis in the first round of the playoffs.

The Philadelphia Phillies went a combined 161-163 under Kapler over two campaigns, with late-season collapses a major reason why he was not allowed to complete the final season of a three-year contract.

“Several years ago, I promised our loyal fans that I would do everything in my power to bring a world championship team to our city.

I will never waver from that commitment,” Phillie’s managing partner John Middleton said in a statement.

“During the second half of this season and continuing into this week, I have evaluated our organization extensively … with the knowledge I’ve gained from my evaluation, combined with my personal reflection on the 2019 season, I have decided that some changes are necessary to achieve our ultimate objective.

“The next Phillies manager will inherit a team of talented, dedicated and committed players.”

A likely candidate to replace Kapler is former major league manager Buck Showalter, who has ties to Phillies president Andy MacPhail, general manager Matt Klentak and assistant general manager Ned Rice.

Showalter has had managerial stints with Baltimore, Texas, Arizona, and the New York Yankees.
He was hired by MacPhail in Baltimore and has worked with Rice and Klentak.