The Phillies have fired Gabe Kapler, nearly two weeks after disappointing finish to a season of big expectations.
Kapler was dismissed Thursday after going 161-163 in two seasons. Philadelphia failed to live up to the hype following an offseason spending spree highlighted by Bryce Harper's arrival. The team went 81-81, its first nonlosing season since 2012.
The Phillies were only two games behind in the NL wild-card standings after beating Atlanta on Sept. 18 but lost eight of the next nine, including a five-game sweep at Washington. They finished eight games behind Milwaukee for the second wild card and 16 behind the first-place Braves in the NL East.
FILE - In this Sept. 19, 2019, file photo, Philadelphia Phillies manager Gabe Kapler (19) watches from the dugout during a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, in Atlanta. The Phillies fired Kapler Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019.(AP PhotoJohn Bazemore, File)
Last year, the Phillies had a one-game lead in the division on Aug. 11 before going 15-31 the rest of the way.
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