Phillies Fire Manager Gabe Kapler Following Disappointing Season

The Philadelphia Phillies entered the 2019 MLB season brimming with excitement following the blockbuster acquistion of Bryce Harper in free agency. With their $330 million man in place for more than a decade, there was every expectation the NL East was there for the taking.

Unfortunately, the Phils did no such thing. And after missing out on the playoffs in disappointing fashion, the team has reportedly made the decision to cut ties with manager Gabe Kapler.

A baseball source has told the Philadelphia Inquirer that Gabe Kapler will not return as manager.
— Bob Brookover (@brookob) October 10, 2019

A former MLB outfielder, Kapler became a first-time skipper when the Phillies hired him ahead of the 2018 season. He ends his tenure with an overall record of 161-162, having never finished better than third in the division.

For this team, one that was simply full of confidence a mere six months ago, it's back to the drawing board.

#Phillies expected to hire a new manager who has prior @MLB managerial experience, based on what I was told earlier this week. Andy MacPhail has connections to both Dusty Baker and Buck Showalter. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 10, 2019

It's been reported that the Philly front office still had faith in Kapler, but given the extent to which the city's infamously, relentlessly demanding fan base had already turned on him, the relationship was no longer considered to be tenable.