Philadelphia Phillies Fire Manager Gabe Kapler After 2 Mediocre Seasons

By Jordan Long

The Philadelphia Phillies started the 2019 MLB season with high expectations.  They signed prized free agent outfielder Bryce Harper to a 13-year, $330 million contract.  This move was expected to help Philadelphia reach the postseason for the 1^st time since 2011.  Unfortunately, the signing didn’t pay off. The Phillies went 81-81.  For the .500 season, they fired manager Gabe Kapler. 

                Kapler was hired by the Phillies on October 28th, 2017.  He didn’t have much managerial experience but served as the Dodgers’ Director of Player Development from 2014 to 2017. He was the manager of Team Isreal in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.  Philadelphia was hoping Kapler would be the manager to take this team to the playoffs.

                In his first year, Philadelphia ended 80-82.   Philadelphia knew they had to give Kapler more than 1 season.  This past year was more of the same.  They didn’t play well, even with the addition of Harper, ending with a .500 record.

                Philadelphia wasn’t a great hitting team.  They finished with a team average of .246, 22^nd in all of baseball.  Hitters were trying to do too much at the plate, swinging at pitches outside the zone. They totaled 1,453 strike outs.  Philadelphia couldn’t hit the long ball with 215 home runs.

                Their pitching was mediocre  with a 4.53 ERA.  The starters were able to pitch but not deep in games.  By the time Kapler took a starter out, it was too late. Philadelphia was either tied or behind.  Starting pitchers ERA ranked 17^th in baseball with a 4.64 ERA.   The bullpen wasn’t much better with an ERA of 4.36.    Just looking at the pitching, it was the main reason they fell short of a playoff spot.

                According to ESPN, Kapler said, “I have tremendous respect for this organization, this franchise and this city. We came into 2019 with very high hopes. We fell short of those, and that responsibility lies with me. The next Phillies manager will inherit a team of talented, dedicated and committed players. There has been nothing more fulfilling in my professional career than the opportunity to work with the players on this team.”

                The Phillies are going to start a search for their next manager.  They need one with managerial experience.  There are few out there they could be interested in including Joe Maddon, Buck Showalter, John Farrell, and Joe Girardi.  All of them could turn the Phillies back into a winner.