The Phillies hired former Yankees manager Joe Girardi on Thursday, according to multiple reports. Girardi replaces Gabe Kapler, who bumbled through two disappointing seasons as Phillies manager. Girardi signed a three-year contract with a team option for a fourth.
Girardi was one of four reported finalists for the Mets’ opening, and by far the most experienced candidate. The Phillies opted strictly for veteran managers, only interviewing Girardi, Dusty Baker and Buck Showalter. The Mets, though, are likely left to choose between Carlos Beltran, Tim Bogar and Eduardo Perez with Girardi off the board. None of the three have MLB managing experience.
The Mets and Cubs interviewed Girardi too, but the Phillies were able to seal the deal with the longtime Yankee catcher and manager.
Girardi, 55, managed the Marlins in 2006 and the Yankees from 2008-17. He famously led the Yankees to their only World Series title since 2000, beating the Phillies in 2009.
The Phillies went 81-81 this year and 80-82 in 2018 under Kapler. The first-time manager struggled in many facets of the job, including handling the clubhouse. In 2018, first baseman Carlos Santana smashed a television because young players were playing too much Fortnite for his liking. In both years in charge, Kapler fumbled his way through in-game pitching changes and substitutions.
Both buckets of mismanagement are familiar to Mets fans. Mickey Callaway yelled “Shut the f–k up, get out of my face. Get out of here” at a writer and took two interviews to apologize. His pitching changes weren’t much smoother than his public relations.
Girardi is not known for his touchy-feely relationships with beat writers. But his decade of dugout experience buys him instant credibility with the fan base, media, and players, something the Mets’ new manager will likely have to build from scratch.
An expensive and big-name manager is not a prerequisite for success. Dave Martinez has the Nationals in the World Series in just his second year of major-league managing. Perez or Bogar could be the Mets’ Martinez; Beltran could be their Aaron Boone or Alex Cora. But barring a mystery candidate, the Mets will be betting on an unknown as manager. Again.
