John Middleton and the Phillies have gotten their guy and Philadelphia fans seem quite pleased with the move to bring in Joe Girardi to replace Gabe Kapler as the next manager of the Phils.
It was clear from the start of the search that the brass was looking for experience and Girardi has plenty of that including that tough 2009 World Series victory over the very Phillies he'll now be managing.
Philly fans seem to be quickly forgiving him for that.
Some reactions which are mostly positive:
Joe Girardi will be the first manager the Phillies have ever hired that won a playoff series before arriving here.— Joe Giglio (@JoeGiglioSports) October 24, 2019
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I forgive Girardi for cheating during the 2009 World Series— Zoo With Roy (@zoowithroy) October 24, 2019
Thank God. I can be a #phillies fan again. Now hopefully the team can be watchable.— Manbear (@SJManBear) October 24, 2019
Welcome to Philly, Joe Girardi. Very excited that you're here.
Also, let me be the first to say:#FireJoeGirardi— John Foley (@2008Philz) October 24, 2019
Fantastic hire by Middleton. The manager this city needed!— thephekid (@Joshrv5) October 24, 2019
Now let's get some pitching and send Rodriguez and Knapp packing.— Mike08 (@mike37641953) October 24, 2019
Another huge off-season signing! Best available candidate...the guy this team needs!— Stephen Tosh (@anotherTosh) October 24, 2019
Me when I found out Joe Girardi will be the new manager for the phillies pic.twitter.com/KhrZ8bCqAv— Shad😤🦅 (@DillyPhillyPHL) October 24, 2019
Reasons to like Girardi:
1) Track record. Won MGR of year with rebuilding MIA team in '06, World Series w/ NYY
2) Smart enough to respect analytics, but know when to go w/ gut.
3) Won't BS fans, media, team. He's honest.
4) Thrived in toughest market in baseball.
Great hiring. pic.twitter.com/mpuuTm2oPX— Glen Macnow (@RealGlenMacnow) October 24, 2019
Simply put, Joe Girardi is the highest-profile and most successful manager the Phillies have ever hired. They have never hired a manager with Girardi's pedigree in the history of their franchise. It's a huge hire.— John Stolnis (@JohnStolnis) October 24, 2019
pic.twitter.com/z0vNWzHDE1— Big Lu (@HarpersIntern) October 24, 2019
If the Phillies weren't going to move on from MacPhail & Klentak then they needed to hire a manager that would be a "partner" to the front office and not a pushover. Someone to help them learn how to win.
Joe Girardi is the perfect person for this role! https://t.co/ONKS09zacz— Marc Farzetta (@MarcFarzetta) October 24, 2019
The sentiment about sports radio callers inevitably butchering his name is not to be missed:
Joe Genuardi is FOR SURE going to be his radio call-in name.— Alex Smith (@Alex_Smith720) October 23, 2019
#phillies pic.twitter.com/CzcbYRy1Hv— LeJames Brown (@Rev215) October 24, 2019
And it seems to have agitated Mets fans, which is lovely:
Interesting to see Mets fans are upset they didn't hire Girardi but none of the fanbases of the other 6 teams that didn't hire Girardi r. The Phillies/Angels were 2 out of 8 teams with openings sure they wanted an ultra experienced manager. The other 6 were not, including Mets.— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 24, 2019
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