Today the Philadelphia Phillies announced that they will not extend the contract of general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr., effectively ending his tenure as GM after seven seasons.
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Assistant general manager Scott Proefrock will assume Amaro’s duties on an interim basis for the time being. The team is expected to hire a permanent GM in the offseason.
Amaro’s departure is certainly not surprising. The hiring of veteran baseball executive Andy MacPhail in June to succeed Pat Gillick as team president was a clear sign that the organization intended to bring in a new regime and start moving in a different direction.
In a statement, MacPhail said:
"“It’s never an easy decision to make a change. Ruben has had a direct impact on some of the best years in the team’s history. He helped to create some great memories for Phillies fans with his accomplishments, but in order to return to a top-contending club, we believe this is the right thing to do as we continue the rebuilding process.”"
Amaro withstood increasingly heavy criticism concerning his job performance over the past few seasons. The Phillies won three consecutive NL East division titles in his first three years in the GM’s chair, including a World Series appearance in 2009. However, after 2011 the team’s performance began to noticeably decline. They placed third, fourth and fifth in the division from 2012-2014, respectively. At 54-86, the Phils currently own the worst record in baseball and appear headed toward yet another basement finish in 2015.
Amaro also drew the ire of Phillies fans back in May by claiming that they “don’t understand the game” or what it takes for a team to effectively rebuild. He later apologized, but the writing was on the wall for an executive whose days were obviously numbered.
The front office makeover will come on the heels of significant on-field changes for the Phillies this season as well. Ryne Sandberg resigned as manager in late June. Two of Amaro’s last major moves (though they surely received the blessing of the incoming MacPhail) were to trade former franchise icons Cole Hamels and Chase Utley for prospects.
A new era is definitely on the way in Philadelphia, and for suffering fans it’s not a moment too soon.