San Francisco Giants Dismiss Manager Gabe Kapler After Second Consecutive Playoff Miss

Photo: Instagram/Gabe Kapler

The San Francisco Giants have made a significant decision to part ways with manager Gabe Kapler, marking the end of a tumultuous era.

This move comes after the team endured a disastrous September collapse that dashed their playoff hopes for the second year running.

Kapler, who was hailed as the NL Manager of the Year for guiding the Giants to a remarkable 107-win season in 2021, saw the team fall below expectations in subsequent years, finishing at an even 81-81 in the previous season and faltering down the stretch this year.

Photo: Instagram/Gabe Kapler

Their once-promising playoff prospects disintegrated as they struggled through a 2-8 stretch against the Rockies, Diamondbacks, and Dodgers during the final road trip of the season. The Giants lost 28 of their last 34 road games and ended September with a disappointing 8-18 record. This dismal performance culminated in their fifth losing season in the last seven years.

Farhan Zaidi, the President of baseball operations, took responsibility for this decision and expressed the need for new leadership and a different dynamic in the clubhouse. Kai Correa, the bench coach, will take on the role of interim manager for the remainder of the season.

Zaidi emphasized the necessity of change and expressed his determination to rectify the team's recent struggles. Zaidi's decision to part ways with Kapler was not taken lightly, as he had only positive words for Kapler's qualities as a person and a professional.

However, the need for a fresh perspective and a shift in the team's performance trajectory led to this difficult choice. Kapler's tenure with the Giants had its ups and downs, with initial skepticism when he was hired in 2019 gradually giving way to moments of success, such as making Alyssa Nakken the first full-time female coach in the Majors.

Nevertheless, the club's late-season collapse, marked by offensive struggles, defensive lapses, and a lack of player accountability, ultimately sealed his fate. The desire for change was echoed by players like Logan Webb, who called for a winning culture and mentality to be instilled within the organization.

Outfielder Austin Slater attributed the decision to the team's underperformance over the past several months. Looking ahead, the Giants aim to appoint a new manager before the start of free agency, and several potential candidates are under consideration, including Mark Hallberg, Ron Wotus, Will Venable, Donnie Ecker, and Bob Melvin.

Zaidi is confident that the role of managing the San Francisco Giants remains an attractive opportunity in professional sports, given the team's strong foundation, ownership, and promising young players.

Read Next: Boxing's Uncertain Path WBC President Delays Tyson Fury's Mandatory Challenger Decision Amidst Usyk Uncertainty

Source: MLB

Comments

Trending Now

Darius Morris, Former Lakers Guard, Passes Away at 33

Karl-Anthony Towns Named NBA Social Justice Champion For 2023-24 Season

Holmgren Endorses Gilgeous-Alexander For NBA MVP After Dominant Game 2

Rudy Gobert Misses Game 2 For Son's Birth; High Winds Foil Return

UFC's Dana White Calls Out Netflix For Short Time Slot at Tom Brady Roast

Jamal Murray Opens Up About NBA Fine

Naoya Inoue Bounces Back From Knockdown To Knockout Luis Nery In Six Rounds

Nuggets' Nikola Jokic Clinches 2023-24 Kia MVP Title

Anthony Edwards Joins Kobe Bryant On Historic NBA List

Glen Davis, Former NBA Star, Gets 40 Months In Healthcare Fraud Case