By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Former Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is a complicated figure. In most baseball circles, Amaro is well though of, despite the fact that his tenure as Phillies' general manager didn't end well. While it's entirely possible, if not likely, that many of the negative decisions made during his tenure were at least heavily influenced by David Montgomery and those above him, the 52-year-old continues to take much of the blame for the team's half decade plus decline.
Amaro returned to Philadelphia for the back half of a home-and-home between the Phillies and Red Sox the past two days, seemingly at peace with his reputation in the organization and the city. He told Julia Poe of The Philadelphia Inquirer that while he wishes he got to continue being the club's general manager, he understands why the team let him go in September of 2015:
"I wish I had a chance to get it all the way turned around, but I understand why I didn't," Amaro said. "In Philadelphia, that's what happens. You're under a great deal of scrutiny."
Andy MacPhail, who was taking over for Pat Gillick as club president, made the final decision to let Amaro go on Sept. 10, 2015. When MacPhail was hired as the future president in June of 2015, that appeared to be the nail in Amaro's coffin. However, Amaro was allowed to handle the most important summer in recent memory that year, dealing Cole Hamels, Jonathan Papelbon and, in August, Chase Utley. After getting a chance to watch Amaro operate, MacPhail did admit upon letting Amaro go that the choice was "more difficult" than he initially expected it to be.
Whether you viewed Amaro as the main reason for the Phillies going from the best record in baseball in 2011 to the worst in 2015 or not, MacPhail hit the nail on the head in deciding that the front-office needed a new leader at that time. Amaro seems to understand that.
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Despite the fact that he hasn't been in the team's general manager in over a year and a half, Amaro's moves as general manager continue to affect the Phillies. Nick Pivetta, who he acquired in the July 2015 Jonathan Papelbon trade, was impressive in last night's win over the Red Sox. His front-office acquired, signed or drafted much of the major league roster and many of their prospects. In fact, how the aforementioned Hamels trade pans out, will probably go a long way in deciding how the tenure of his successor, Matt Klentak, is viewed.
Life after his time with the Phillies has gone quite well for Amaro. He's in his second year as Red Sox first base coach, with Hall of Famers Pat Gillick and Tony La Russa both suggesting that he could be a successful manager in the future. Still just 52, Amaro's story is far from finished.
But regardless of what the future holds for Amaro, much of his legacy will be tied to his tenure in Philadelphia. Right or wrong, that tenure, is, at best, complicated. And Amaro has accepted that.
