Was Gabe Kapler doomed from the start because he wasn't a 'Philly Guy?'
It's pretty clear Kapler was not a guy from the neighborhood. Columnist Jack McCaffery makes that case pretty persuasively today.
But the bottom line - as it always is - is wins and losses.
And Kapler was decidedly mediocre, compiling a 161-163 mark and failing to make the playoffs in his two years at the helm of the Phillies.
That is why he will not serve the third year of his contract.
Especially after owner John Middletown decided to spend 'stupid money,' signing shortstop Jean Segura and catcher J.T. Realmuto, and then winning the Bryce Harper sweepstakes, at a cost of $330 million.
It probably did not escape Middleton's notice that Harper's former employer, the Nationals, are now headed to the National League Championship Series after winning a Wild Card game and topping the vaunted Dodgers.
Gabe Kapler was never going to be a good fit for Philly.
This year he was handicapped by management's massive overestimation on the strength of the Phils' starting rotation. Then seemingly every reliever headed for the injured list.
Managers don't win a lot of games. Players do.
It's more likely that a manager can lose a game. That became apparent on Day One of the Kapler when he pulled his ace Aaron Nola with a 5-0 lead after he had thrown only 67 or so pitches.
It was a preview of things to come.
Both of Kapler's years at the helm were marked by the same thing: A massive swoon and fall out of the playoff race at the ened of the suymmer.
That is why he will not be back for Year Three.
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