Consensus around baseball is that interim manager of the Phillies Pete Mackanin has done a commendable job, taking the reigns of the Phillies ball club after the resignation of Ryne Sandberg back in July. Taking over a thankless situation and an uncertain future, Mackanin had no guarantees beyond the rest of the season. Now, Mackanin finally does.
Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports:
Phillies have extended the contract of Pete Mackanin as manager through the 2016 season. The extension includes a club option for 2017.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) September 22, 2015
Phillies president Andy MacPhail commented on the hire in a Phillies press release:
"The Phillies are pleased that Pete has accepted the position of manager for the 2016 season," said Andy MacPhail, the team's incoming president. "We believe that Pete is the best fit for the role. Since assuming the interim manager position in June, Pete has developed an excellent rapport with our players and has also connected well with the media and our fans. Equally as important is his eagerness to take on the challenge of rebuilding the team and further developing our players. We look forward to his contributions."
Could Mackanin have known this when he benched Odubel Herrera on Sunday?
Prophet John Stolnis of The Good Phight wrote yesterday that "Pete Mackanin is managing like he is coming back":
Perhaps the surest sign that we can expect "Happy Pete" back next year is how he came down on one of the pleasant surprises of this rebuild, Odubel Herrera, over the weekend. Clearly agitated at some emotional outbursts by Herrera, one that included the 23-year-old flinging a bat into the on-deck circle after making an out in Atlanta on Sunday, Mackanin benched Herrera for the rest of the game, and had some strong words for the rookie afterward.
Good call, John.
The job is Mackanin's first permanent managing job. Mackanin served as an interim manager of both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds. Mackanin also got considerable interest from both the Cubs and the Red Sox after the 2013 season, but was passed over. In his managerial career, the former Phillies utility infielder has a record of 83-99, with a record of 30-46 for the Phillies in 2015.
