September 10, 2015
The Phillies announced on Thursday that they will not renew the contract of general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr., which expires following the 2015 season. They also announced that assistant GM Scott Proefrock will take over for Amaro on an interim basis until they name a replacement.
#Phillies announced today that the club has elected not to extend the contract of Senior Vice President & General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr.
— Phillies (@Phillies) September 10, 2015
The writing was on the wall for Amaro, and grew brighter and more visible once the team hired Andy MacPhail earlier this season. MacPhail, who has been serving as an advisor this year, will take over as team president after the 2015 season.
“It’s never an easy decision to make a change,” MacPhail said in a release by the team. “Ruben has had a direct impact on some of the best years in the team’s history. He helped to create some great memories for Phillies fans with his accomplishments, but in order to return to a top-contending club, we believe this is the right thing to do as we continue the rebuilding process.”
Amaro, 50, was named GM following the 2008 World Series season after Pat Gillick stepped down from the role. A Philadelphia native, Amaro spent time as a Phillies bat boy, player and assistant GM (for 10 seasons) before taking over for Gillick.
“The Phillies ownership fully supports Andy’s decision not to extend Ruben Amaro’s contract,” said Partner John Middleton. “As a group, we have tremendous respect for Ruben, who has been a significant contributor to this organization. This decision is about taking the club in a new direction and that will be facilitated by new leadership.”
The team said it will immediately begin a search for Amaro’s permanent replacement
More to come after a 3 p.m. news conference.
