Phillies manager search: Five baseball lifers to hire

Pete Mackanin’s sudden firing leaves a major hole in the Phillies organization

Primed to finish at the bottom of the major leagues for the second time in three years the Phillies decided to move on from second year manager Pete Mackanin Friday afternoon.

With General Manager and Vice President Matt Klentak ready to make his first managerial hire since coming to Philadelphia, here are some veteran managers who could get another shot.

This may not be the final list, but it includes names that are baseball lifers with playoff and championship experience.

Ron Gardenhire

Resume: 13 seasons managing the Twins, finishing in first place six times 

Gardenhire spent his entire managerial career in Minnesota; taking over a young team that included Johan Santana, David Ortiz, and Michael Cuddyer, among others.

With over 1,000 regular season victories under his belt, Gardenhire has the experience of taking over young ballclubs and developing players.

Since being fired from Minnesota Gardenhire has sat on the bench, most recently with Arizona. He’s more than available to manage once again, even on the precipice of his 60th birthday.

Ron Washington

Resume: Won back-to-back American League pennants with the Texas Rangers 

The man in this picture not named Ron Gardenhire will also be a name attached to the Phillies job; former Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington.

Taking the Rangers to back-to-back American League pennants Washington kept the Rangers in the playoff race with four consecutive seasons with 90 wins.

Personal transgressions involving an affair and drug abuse forced Washington to resign late into the 2014 season. Now serving as the Braves third base coach Washington looks ready to jump back in the manager’s chair.

Buck Showalter

Resume: 1,504 career wins over 19 seasons with four organizations

Buck Showalter has not (yet) been fired by Baltimore, but should that move happen the Phillies should be the first caller. Sitting at 23rd on the all-time wins list Showalter has been around the block despite never playing in the major leagues.

He’s a fierce voice that can shake up a locker room; much different than the soft-spoken Mackanin. In his 19 seasons, Showalter has eight 85-win and 12 winning seasons between the Yankees, Orioles, Diamondbacks, and Rangers.

If Showalter becomes available, it’s not a far trip up from Baltimore.

Ozzie Guillen

Resume: World Series champion with the White Sox in 2005

Speaking of a loud voice that will change the culture, Ozzie Guillen is looking for a job. The former White Sox and Marlins manager was as colorful as they came in the mid-2000’s and always gave a great soundbite.

Even with the personality and challenging of umpires, Guillen won a World Series with the White Sox in his second season with the team. During his 2005 championship campaign, Chicago won 11 of 12 playoff games with their only loss coming in the ALCS against the Angels.

Just as impressive is the fact Guillen went from winning the 2003 World Series with Florida as a player right into the White Sox job.

Whether or not Guillen is the right fit for Philadelphia is yet to be seen, but the media will certainly enjoy him 162 days out of the year. And if anyone can get into Maikel Franco and Odubel Herrera’s thick skulls, it’s Guillen.