The Philadelphia Phillies have made a somewhat surprising move at the top.
The team announced Friday that manager Pete Mackanin will move to a front office role in 2018, ending his tenure as manager.
#Phillies announce that Pete Mackanin will NOT manage team in 2018. Will serve as special assistant to GM in ’18 and beyond.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 29, 2017
Mackanin described by a friend as “shocked.” #Phillies 35-37 since All-Star Game. Were 29-58 at break.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 29, 2017
There is no other way to see this other than a serious demotion for Mackanin, who has gone 172-237 in two and a half rebuilding seasons as manager. It’s even more surprising given he was given an extension and a vote of confidence by the team in May.
GM Klentak when he extended Mackanin thru ’18 in May: “Pete is the manager. There’s no time frame on that. This is not a temporary thing.”
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 29, 2017
Mackanin received some criticism early in the season, but he signed up for a lengthy rebuilding job and that is exactly what he got. At some point, management simply decided he was no longer the man to help take the team forward.
