Phillies fire manager Pete Mackanin

In what can only be described as unexpected news, Ken Rosenthal and every other beat writer reported on Friday afternoon that the Phillies have fired manager Pete Mackanin.

#Phillies announce that Pete Mackanin will NOT manage team in 2018. Will serve as special assistant to GM in ’18 and beyond.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 29, 2017 Phillies say Mackanin will finish season as manager. He agreed to contract extension to serve as Special Assistant to GM for 2018 and beyond

— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) September 29, 2017 I put those tweets there just so you’d believe me, because I almost don’t believe it myself. The Phillies gave Mackanin an extension back in May when they were…