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LOS ANGELES — The Phillies on Monday’s World Series off day announced the hiring of Gabe Kapler as their next manager. Kapler was director of player development with the Dodgers for the last three seasons.
"Gabe has a track record of leadership, winning, progressive thinking and working with young players,” Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said in a statement. “We fully believe that he is the right person to guide this organization into the future."
Kapler, 42, was a finalist for the Dodgers’ managerial opening after the 2015 season that ultimately went to Dave Roberts. Kapler has one year of managerial experience, leading Class-A Greenville, a Red Sox affiliate in the South Atlantic League in 2007.
He played parts of 12 seasons in the major leagues (1998-2010) with the Tigers, Rangers, Rockies, Red Sox, Brewers and Rays.
"I'm equal parts honored, humbled and excited by the opportunity with the Phillies, an elite franchise in a city rich in history, tradition, sports excellence and with amazingly passionate fans," Kapler said. "I believe there is no better place to build a winning environment, and I take that task very seriously."
The Phillies plan to introduce Kapler as manager in a news conference after the World Series.
The Dodgers will have some reorganizing to do this winter in player development. In addition to the loss of Kapler, assistant director of player development Jeremy Zoll left to join the Twins as their director of minor league operations, and Triple-A pitching coach Matt Herges — a coach in the organization for seven seasons — took a big league job as bullpen coach with the Giants.
“With the culture he’s instilled, the teaching, he’s definitely impacted the guys that are with us right now,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Kapler. “Gabe and his staff have been a huge part of what we have this year.”