Phillies fans will see Gabe Kapler be named their 54th manager
Phillies fans have their new manager after an arduous search that would make Jon Snow weary. According to FanRag’s Jon Heyman and Robert Murray the Phillies are expected to hire Dodgers director of player development Gabe Kapler as their next manager.
NBC Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury also confirmed Heyman’s original report Sunday night.
Kapler has been the finalist for multiple manager jobs, most recently the Dodgers, and was one of three finalists for the job. Triple-A Lehigh Valley manager Dusty Wathan and former Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell were the other reported favorites.
General manager Matt Klentak entered his first managerial search with several clear goals in mind. He wanted a younger voice that believed in the use of analytics while continuing to serve a role in player development through the franchise’s next championship. Heyman calls the 42-year-old a “numbers guy” who, as a model, keeps a strong interest towards nutrition.
Meet the Phillies new manager, Gabe Kapler pic.twitter.com/XCh121Qn7R
— George Stockburger (@StockburgerNews) October 30, 2017
Ironically, the news of Kapler expected to be named manager comes on the ninth anniversary of the Phillies 2008 World Championship.
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Prior to joining the Dodgers in a player development role, Kapler played 12 seasons for the Brewers, Rays, Tigers, Rangers, Red Sox, and the Rockies.
While he has very little managerial experience, the reviews across baseball are raving towards Kapler’s future in baseball. In 2012 Kapler served on Team Israel’s World Baseball Classic roster.
Kapler won a World Series ring in 2004 with the Red Sox as a player and is on the verge of winning another one with the Dodgers.
Philadelphia reportedly interviewed more than a dozen others for former manager Pete Mackanin’s job, including third base coach Juan Samuel. It’s unclear whether Samuel will stay on the staff under Kapler.
Hitting coach Matt Stairs has already agreed to be the San Diego Padres next hitting coach, and the future for pitching coach Bob McClure is murky.