In the end, it’s about winning games. And Gabe Kapler didn’t win enough of them. Especially during the last 2 Septembers, when the Phillies collapsed and disappeared from playoff contention. And that’s why, 11 excruciating days after the season’s end, team owner John Middleton finally pulled the plug.
There were other factors as well. It was Kapler who pushed for the elevation of assistant Chris Young to pitching coach. And the pitchers regressed. It was Kapler who lifted ace Aaron Nola after just 5.1 innings and 68 pitches on Opening Day 2018, to the shock of everyone. The bullpen ended up blowing the game. It was Kapler who called for a reliever who hadn’t warmed up. And it was Kapler who told the media he benched guys for not hustling, but told those same players they were just getting a day off.
So who is the next manager? Joe Maddon? Joe Girardi? Dusty Wathan? Buck Showalter? Maybe a long shot like Braves coach Ron Washington?
Kapler gets the blame for the collapses of the last 2 years. But at some point, general manager Matt Klentak is going to have to answer for his hiring decisions. If the Phils don’t make the playoffs in 2020, Klentak better update his resume.
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