Philadelphia Phillies extend Pete Mackanin as manager through 2016

The Philadelphia Phillies have signed manager Pete Mackanin to a contract extension through 2016, the team announced. His deal also includes a club option for 2017.

Andy MacPhail, who will become president of baseball operations after the season, praised Mackanin in a statement:

Mackanin, who had previously been the Phillies’ third base coach, assumed the manager’s role on an interim basis back in June after Ryne Sandberg resigned from the position. He has led the squad to a 30-46 record since then.

The incoming front office regime must have seen enough from Mackanin to give him a stamp of approval for the 2016 campaign. Under a one-year commitment, the organization will be able to see how he fares during a full season at the helm and then revisit the situation.

Mackanin generated some headlines recently for benching promising rookie Odubel Herrera for “pouting.” The skipper did not like outfielder’s recent displays of frustration and lack of hustle, so he pulled him from a game against the Braves last Sunday.

“This game is easy to play when everything is going your way,” Mackanin said after the game. “When you’re hitting and pitching and winning games, this is easy. Character comes out when you’re struggling. What kind of person you are . . . You cannot afford to pout or feel sorry for yourself. You’ve got to play like a man.”

The Phillies brass likely took notice and appreciated Mackanin’s desire to maintain a high level of effort amongst his players, even in the middle of a very poor season.

More changes are surely ahead for the Phils as they enter a rebuilding phase, both on and off the field. For his part, Mackanin will try to get the team off on the right foot in 2016.

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