By Jordan Long
The Philadelphia Phillies stand at 21-28. Right now, they are 11.5 games behind the Mets for first place in the National League East division. Questions are now swirling about Manager Joe Girardi’s future. He is in the last year of his current contract.
Girardi was hired by the Phillies on October 24, 2019. Philadelphia let go of Gabe Kapler at the end of the 2019 season. Kapler’s record was 161-163 for the Philadelphia Phillies. They didn’t even reach the postseason. Philadelphia wanted a manager who could take them to the playoffs. They hadn’t earned a playoff spot since 2011.
Girardi was one of the best managers out there. He brought in 11 years of experience to the Phillies. Girardi spent 2008 to the end of 2017 with the New York Yankees. There his record was an impressive 910-710, a winning percentage of .562. New York earned a playoff spot 6 times including winning the 2009 World Series. Following a 91-71 season in 2017, Girardi was let go by the Yankees.
Philadelphia was hoping Girardi would help them end their playoff drought. They had a 3-year contract which is fair. This gave him a chance to turn the ball club around.
Philadelphia hasn’t become a winner under Girardi. 2020, the COVID shortened year, Philadelphia ended at 28-32. Last year they were 82-80. Both seasons, Philadelphia missed the postseason.
This year Girardi was managing in the last season of his contract. Philadelphia stands at 21-28. If the season keeps going this way, they will miss the playoffs.
Questions are swirling about his future. According to CBSsports.com, Girardi said, “I don’t worry about my job. I’ve never worried about my job. I don’t worry about my job. I’ve got to do my job. It’s the business of being a manager. I don’t worry about it.”
Girardi is smart in saying all this. It isn’t his job to worry about his future. The front office will decide his fate soon or even at the end of the year. He needs to help this ball club win. It is the end of May and there are 4 months left to play. This could be the last year Girardi manages in Philadelphia. They want a winning ball club and Girardi has yet to do that. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Philadelphia move on from him since the results haven’t been there.
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