Interim no more: Phillies make Pete Mackanin their manager through 2016
Well, that’s one fewer thing the Philadelphia Phillies need to figure out.
They’ve got their manager for next season. It’s Pete Mackanin, who took over the team in June and has done well enough in the front office’s eyes to shed the “interim” title and guide the team through 2016. Mackanin, 64, took over in June when Ryne Sandberg resigned in the middle of the team’s disappointing season.
[Play a Daily Fantasy contest for cash today!]
Before this, Mackanin had a history with the Phillies as both a player and a coach. He played for them briefly in 1978 and 1979, then was Charlie Manuel’s bench coach from 2009-2012. He was hired again this season as third-base coach and has a 30-46 record since taking over as manager.
Here’s the team’s statement on retaining Mackanin:
There’s been a good deal of change with the Phillies this season, from the trade of Cole Hamels to what will be a rebuilt front office by the start of 2016. The team announced Andy MacPhail as its new president in late June, signaling a culture shift that would embrace sabermetrics. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. was fired in a not-at-all-surprising move two weeks ago.
[Elsewhere: Cubs manager blames Wrigley Field infield issues on rock band AC/DC]
The Phillies have that GM spot to fill next, but whoever gets the job knows that Mackanin is the manager next season with the full blessing of the team president.
More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:
– – – – – – –
Mike Oz is the editor of Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @MikeOz
