The Philadelphia Phillies have announced that Gabe Kapler has been hired as their new manager, continuing the recent trend of former Texas Rangers players being hired as managers this offseason. Dave Martinez, Alex Cora and Mickey Callaway, who were all with the Rangers during their playing days at various times, have also been hired this offseason.
Kapler, you may recall, came over to the Rangers in the 1999-2000 offseason from Detroit, along with Justin Thompson, Frank Catalanotto, Francisco Cordero, Bill Haselman and Alan Webb, in a deal that sent Juan Gonzalez, Danny Patterson and Gregg Zaun to Detroit.