When the Philadelphia Phillies dismissed Gabe Kapler as their manager in October of 2019, managing partner John Middleton cited back-to-back September swoons as a key reason for firing the manager after two seasons.
Anyone waiting for a similar September collapse from the 2021 San Francisco Giants — managed by Kapler — didn’t receive it.
Kapler’s Giants crushed the San Diego Padres 11-4 on the final Sunday of the season, allowing them to finish at 107-55 and win the National League West:
Despite posting the most wins in baseball, the Giants had to win on the final day to clinch their division, as the defending World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers won 106 games.