Anyone out there a Ruben Amaro Jr. supporter? No? Not all at once. Oh, yes, you in the back! Pat Gillick.
These days, there are no supporters of Ruben Amaro from the fans, but Phillies interim president, Pat Gillick, says that Amaro has his support and that Ruben didn't get dumb overnight. Amaro is entering the final year of his contract and many believe that he won't even make it through the season. Gillick is taking the optimistic approach. We'll see how long that lasts.
"I’ve got confidence in him,” said Gillick, who as interim club president has a direct line to John Middleton, the most influential partner in the team’s ownership group.
“Ruben didn’t all of a sudden get dumb,” Gillick added. “People don’t want to hear this, but there were five years from 2007 to 2011 and the last year in 2011 we won 102 games. He didn’t all of a sudden get stupid the last three years. There were just a lot of factors to factor in there. And it isn’t what you’ve done in the past, it’s what are you doing for us now. And we haven’t done anything the last three years.
"But as far as him getting a brain cramp or something — it hasn’t happened. I have confidence in him. I’ve got his back.” [CSNPhilly.com]
Whether or not Gillick has Amaro's back is besides the point if you are a fan. If the Phillies fail to do anything to show signs of an evident rebuild this season, fans may storm CBP with pitchforks and blow torches. Well, probably not, but the stands will surely be more empty than ever.
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
