The Philadelphia Phillies announced today that they have relieved head coach Joe Girardi of his duties, following a disappointing start to the 2023 MLB season. The decision comes after the team struggled to find consistency, sitting near the bottom of the National League East.
Girardi, who took over as manager in 2020, led the team to a 82-80 record in his first full season but faced criticism for the team’s performance over the past year. Despite a roster filled with talent, including standout players like Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto, the Phillies have not been able to translate that potential into a playoff-caliber season.
In a statement, Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski expressed gratitude for Girardi’s contributions, stating, “We thank Joe for his dedication and leadership during his time with the organization. However, we felt a change was necessary at this point to ignite our team and achieve our goals.”
The search for a new head coach is already underway, with the team considering both internal and external candidates. Bench coach Rob Thomson will serve as interim manager for the remainder of the season.
The Phillies hope that this change will give the team the spark it needs to turn the season around and remain competitive in the postseason race.
Fans and analysts alike are keenly watching how the team will respond in the wake of this major decision as they aim to reclaim their place in the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Phillies embark on this new chapter.
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