Thursday, October 24, 2019

Phillies Hire Girardi As New Skipper

The Philadelphia Phillies have hired Joe Girardi as their new manager replacing Gabe Kapler who was dismissed after two disappointing seasons.

Girardi had been under consideration for the managerial position with the Chicago Cubs, but opted for internal candidate David Ross. The New York Mets were also considering Girardi but have not concluded their search.

This is Girardi's third big league managerial job. Girardi managed the Florida Marlins in 2006 and then managed the New York Yankees from 2008 through 2017 guiding the Yankees to a World Series title defeating none other than the Phillies. The Yankees also made post-season appearances under Girardi in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2017. Girardi enters 2020 with a managerial record of 988-794.

Girardi will reunite with reliever David Robertson who was limited to 7 appearances in 2019 due to injuries. The Phillies do have significant pitching woes which will need to be addressed and competing in a division with the Mets, Braves and NL champion Nationals will be a tall task. But Girardi has credentials and that is what the Phillies were seeking as they also considered Buck Showalter and Dusty Baker. But unlike Showalter and Baker, Girardi has a World Series ring.

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