The Philadelphia Phillies fired general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. on Thursday.
According to the Associated Press, assistant general manager Scott Proefrock will be the Phillies interim general manager. Amaro’s firing is the lastest change in management for the Phillies. In June manager Ryne Sandberg resigned after going 119-159 in three seasons. Andy MacPhail was hired to be the team’s president after this season. The Phillies join the Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, and the Milwaukee Brewers as teams that have made GM changes this season.
It's never an easy decision to make a change," McPhail said in a statement. "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 played for the Phillies for five seasons in the 1990s. After the Phillies won the 2008 World Series, he became their general manager. He became team president last year. Amaro helped lead the Phillies to the 2009 National League pennant and three division titles, according to ESPN. While with the Phillies he made big moves as the team tried to rebuild. He traded Cole Hamels to the Texas Ranges and traded Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He also acquired Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, and Hunter Pence in trades.
The Phillies have the worst record in the majors at 54-86. They will miss the playoffs for the fourth straight year after winning five consecutive NL East titles.