Ryne Sandberg resigned from his post as the manager of the Phillies.
#Phillies announce that manager Ryne Sandberg has resigned.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 26, 2015
More news when it becomes available. Either he thought he might be fired, or he was fed up with the way the team was run, although it could be a combination of both. The players didn’t help much.
Update: Sandberg didn’t think he would last long with the new regime coming into Philadelphia:
“With some changes at the top looming, I did not want to be in the way of anything happening and progress going forward,” Sandberg said.
Third base coach Pete Mackanin will take over as interim manager. He’s 53-53 in parts of two seasons with Pittsburgh in 2005 and Cincinnati in 2007.
The Phillies are expected to hire a new president soon. Pat Gillick is handling that role this season, but the 77-year-old Hall of Fame executive wants to return to a consulting position.
Sandberg sounded like a guy who knew he wasn’t going to be part of the future so he left on his own terms after the Phillies won two of three at Yankee Stadium this week.
“Wins and losses was a big thing that took a toll on me,” said Sandberg, who choked up while thanking fans for their support.
Sometimes it’s difficult for someone as competitive as Sandberg to function in a non-competitive environment.
Letting Franceour throw 46 pitches because the bullpen phone was off the hook and not knowing Utleys ankle had been bothering him suggests he sort of lost control of the team. There were other ways to get the pens attention and certainly the trainers treating Utleys ankle report to the coaches if not the manager.
Strange time to quit. Phillies bats were coming to life over the last few games. I think he was forced out myself and allowed to make it look like his decision. Getting fired is better than quitting since you still get paid. Why leave money on the table?. Management saw the past week as a possible turnaround and saw an opportunity to get him out and perhaps take credit if it continues.