Phillies Fire Gabe Kapler After Two Seasons as Manager

Gabe Kapler was fired as the Phillies' manager on Thursday, the team announced. 

Kapler went 161–163 in two seasons as Philadelphia's manager. He was hired in October 2017 after previous manager Pete Mackanin was reassigned to a front office role with the Phillies.

"We came into 2019 with very high hopes. We fell short of those, and that responsibility lies with me," Kapler said in a statement. "There has been nothing more fulfilling in my professional career than the opportunity to work with the players on this team."

The Phillies finished this season fourth in the NL East at 81–81 but posted a 12–16 mark in September. 

Philadelphia entered 2019 seeking its first NL East title since 2011. The Phillies signed Bryce Harper to a $330 million contract in February, additionally adding All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto and 2013 NL MVP Andrew McCutchen in the offseason. 

Kapler played 12 MLB seasons and won the 2004 World Series with the Red Sox. He was a career .268 hitter with six teams from 1998-2010.