BREAKING NEWS: Joe Girardi Named 55th Manager In Phillies History

The 2009 World Series is still fresh in the minds of Phillies fans. A World Series that the Phillies were favorites to win and repeat their 2008 title. However, the Yankees and their new young up-and-coming manager, Joe Girardi, shocked the Phillies, and won the title in 6-games. Now, Joe Girardi, who Phillies fans know all so well, has the chance to make history and bring a World Series title back to the city of Philadelphia.

According to multiple reports (first broken by Jim Salisbury), Joe Girardi has been offered and will accept the Phillies vacant manager position. Joe Girardi becomes the 55th manager in club history. Joe brings a career record of 988-794, 4x World Series titles – 3x as a player & 1x as a manager, and 52 games of playoff baseball, 28-24, to Philadelphia.

Girardi, who last managed in 2017 with the New York Yankees, brings over 1700 games of managerial experience to Philadelphia. First managing in 2006 with the Marlins, Joe would find his calling in New York with the Yankees in 2008. For the next 10 seasons, Girardi would coach the Yankees before his contract was not renewed after 2017 season.

Since becoming a free agent, Girardi took time off and joined the MLB Network as an analyst. But, a return to managing was always on the mind of Girardi. A return that would come earlier this year when Girardi accepted the Team USA manager position.




After Girardi accepted the position, the MLB return rumors started to swirl. Girardi’s name immediately went to the top of every teams board. When the Phillies failed to improve, a move to relieve Gabe Kapler of his duties was made. Thus opening up the manager position. An opening that is now filled with the #1 candidate on the market, Joe Girardi.

What Girardi brings to Philadelphia is a winning pedigree and a respect for the game that Phillies President, Andy MacPhail, knows very well. Back when Joe was still playing, he and MacPhail were on the opposite sides during collective bargaining agreement negotiations. The respect the two had for each other and the game of baseball help eased some tension during the talks.

Now, Joe Girardi is tasked with putting the final touches on a roster filled with an immense amount of talent. A roster with Bryce Harper, JT Realmuto, Rhys Hoskins, among others.



Girardi will be a natural fit with the Phillies. His blue collar work ethic will be well received in Philadelphia. Joe is down to earth, loves his players, and is uber-prepared & passionate about his work. His familiarity with the front office will make for an easy transition to the Phillies managerial job. A job where Girardi will also be reunited with his right hand man from New York, Rob Thomson.

Thomson, who was hired as Gabe Kapler’s bench coach in 2018, has already been brought back by the Phillies to the same position next season. Girardi & Thomson’s previous relationship should make for a great mix here in Philadelphia. A mix that Girardi will rely on heavily to start in Philadelphia while he learns the roster.

After hiring the right choice, Brian Barber, on Tuesday for their vacant Director of Amateur Scouting position, the Phillies made the right choice with their manager. Barber could have also have put in a late good word for Girardi. Girardi & Barber worked hand and hand together in New York during the 10-years Girardi was the manager of the Yankees. Barber supplied Girardi with a very talented and always stocked farm system.

Next up for Girardi is to finish off his staff. But, for first time since hiring Charlie Manuel in 2005, the Phillies have a high profile manager with a history and knack for winning. If Girardi can bring a title back to Philadelphia, Joe will become the first manager in MLB history to win a title for the team he beat in a previous World Series.