Much like last year’s eventful, fruitful offseason, the Phillies are off to a tremendous start to begin this winter. Rumored to be the favorite for the job for weeks, former Marlins and Yankees skipper Joe Girardi has officially been announced as the 55th manager of the Phillies. The deal is worth three-years with a club option for 2023.
An experienced leader with an incredibly high baseball IQ and a winning pedigree, Girardi is just what the doctor ordered in Philly. A former World Series champion (2009), the veteran coach will look to repeat the feat in Philadelphia. It’s certainly no small order, as only four other managers- Bill McKechnie (1925 PIT, 1940 CIN), Bucky Harris (1924 WAS, 1947 NYY), Sparky Anderson (1975-76 CIN, 1984 DET), Tony La Russa (1989 OAK, 2006&11 STL) – have done so.