The Philadelphia Phillies have fired manager Gabe Kapler after two seasons on the job, the team announced Thursday:
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 10, 2019
The Phillies (81-81) underperformed despite the blockbuster addition of Bryce Harper, who signed a 13-year, $330 million deal with the franchise.
Kapler's nontraditional, analytical style has been cause for irking many of the franchise's long-standing fans.
The Phillies hired Kapler hoping that his lone year of experience managing in the minors would be enough to return Philadelphia to the postseason, having missed October baseball since 2011.
His first game as the helmsman of the team in 2018 was a quick indication. The Atlanta Braves managed to rally from a five-run deficit, ruining his debut in the majors after a three-run home run in the ninth inning, which sparked plenty of controversy. Kapler was immediately questioned for his decision to lift starter Aaron Nola when enjoying a 5-0 lead and one out in the sixth inning, using a more conservative, numbers-driven approach from the start.
Once Philly returned to Citizens Bank Park after a 1-4 road trip, Kapler was booed by the home fans, most of whom never really embraced his hiring.
The Phillies were 15 games over .500 and leading the NL East in early August but saw a dismal fall in the ensuing part of the season, going 16-33 down the stretch to finish 80-82.
The 2019 Phillies fared better to start the season, going 11 games over .500 and 3.5 games up in the division heading into play on May 30. The next three-plus weeks were the sign fans didn't want to see, as the Phillies fell to 6.5 games out of the race once leadoff man Andrew McCutchen went down with a season-ending knee injury.
Kapler finished with a 161-163 record in his two seasons in Philly.
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