PHILLIES PHODDER- NEW MANAGER INTRODUCED

 New skipper Gabe Kapler was introduced to the city, media and fans this afternoon.He has zero big-league manager experience. He is a big analytic guy, a Matt Klentak hand-picked clone. Most of all, he sounds like a nut.

Kapler apparently was writing a blog about "lifestyles" and health issues. He's into body fitness as well. Even though he says he no longer adheres to some things in his blog, reading a few items from the blog is very strange.

- He doesn't believe in showering with soap
- He preaches not to feel guilty if you accidentally run over a squirrel with your car
- He has eating chicken bones in the past and claims eating all of the chicken- bones and marrow included- is good for you.
-  He believes in sun-bathing one's testicles.

Is that weird enough for ya?

My question is, why hire a guy like this, after reading this "forward" thinking crap?If he was a real baseball guy one could overlook the kookiness. But he's not a real baseball guy. Yes, he was a player. Yes he worked in player development. Yes he managed one season in Class-A ball.

I don't get it. Why? The Organization fired a stable guy like Pete Mackanin for a nut job?

I didn't hear any new, dynamic philosophy out of Kapler in the press conference.

Matt Klentak's neck is in the noose for this one. He wanted a guy like himself, a geeky, weird analytics nerd .

I'm willing to give Kapler a chance. maybe he will turn out to be a breath of fresh air, with new ideas, someone who can relate to the younger players.

Team president Andy MacFailure said that "general managers only have so many managers in them." I also blame owner John Middleton. He is trusting those working under him, but Middleton can't be happy. Plus whee is Middleton?  He was supposed to be more accessible and visible to the fans. Now he's gone into hiding again.

Either the hiring of Kapler turns out to be a brilliant move or Klentak gets fired. So, it's a win-win situation.

The Phillies organization continues to be a disgrace  and a laughingstock. The new manager only adds to the joke.