Philadelphia Phillies fire manager Joe Girardi after 22-29 start
Joe Girardi leads the Philadelphia Phillies with the reigning National League MVP, five All-Stars 2021, a salary that exceeds the luxury tax and is expected to end the longest drought in the NL playoffs.
But deeply buried in the NL East standings and with a failed bull, defensive shortcomings and the falling asleep starts of some expensive team veterans, Girardi paid the price for a bad start in Philadelphia.
He was fired on Friday and became the first major league manager to lose his job this season after failing to build a team with a record salary on the playoff rivals.
The Phillies made the move at 22-29 after losing seven of their last nine games and finishing third in the National League East, 12 games for the New York Mets and 5 games in second place with a wild card in the NL. .
Bench coach Rob Thomson was selected as temporary manager and won his 10-0 debut against the Los Angeles Angels.
"I think we can get to the playoffs. I think we are in a position to fight for it.
I believe that, "said Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations.
Few Philly sports fans are steadfast in that belief.