Atlanta Braves News for Friday PM: Cunniff/Phillies/Mudcats
Jun 8, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg watches from the dugout prior to a game with the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Phillies Manager Ryne Sandberg Resigns
Ryne Sandberg has resigned as manager of the Phillies. Pete Mackanin will serve as interim manager.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 26, 2015
The reactions have been coming quite rapidly on this announcement… here’s one I think is pretty brutal, a reaction to a comment from Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) that Sandberg has ‘earned his stripes’ by managing 6 years in the minors prior to winning this gig:
Taking that job, however, speaks to one's decision-making. https://t.co/Y9y5HIWHBo
— Jesse Spector (@jessespector) June 26, 2015
No, it doesn’t, Jesse.
Sandberg wanted the Cubs jobs. It wasn’t offered to him. But when you believe you’re qualified for one of exactly 30 positions available on earth, then you can’t exactly be picky about the neighborhood if you are offered one of those 30.
The problem was two-fold… and mostly one-fold: General Manager Ruben Amaro. He’s done next to nothing to enhance this team and make them competitive. He also hasn’t supported his own manager through this dumpster fire, and word is that Sandberg expected to be fired at season’s end… so why bother to stick around?
The other problem… his team.
Sandberg has two starting pitchers of any note (Cole Hamels and Aaron Harang – yes, I’m including Harang), one unhappy closer, an All-Star second baseman (Chase Utley) who has caught Dan Uggla performance disease, and a collection of role players.
Two hitters on the Phils’ roster are performing above 1.0 WAR for the season right now. Two.
The Braves have five such players… and Juan Uribe is already at 0.5 in just 26 games.
Good luck Pete Mackanin.
Next: The Carolina... Beachcats??