Phillies hire Andy MacPhail to succeed Gillick as president (VIDEO)
The Philadelphia Phillies may be struggling mightily this season, but they made a major acquisition in their front office on Monday that has them hopeful they'll be able to soon turn the franchise back around to its winning ways.
In a press conference Monday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park, Phillies ownership partner John Middleton and president Pat Gillick introduced long-time baseball executive Andy MacPhail as the team's future president.
MacPhail will remain a special assistant to Gillick for the remainder of the season and then take over the reins as president after the 2015 season.
Middleton stressed that Gillick will continue to have complete control of the team until he is officially succeeded by MacPhail.
The Phillies said that MacPhail's proven track record of success and ability to succeed in a variety of situations with the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, and Baltimore Orioles made him a perfect fit for the organization, which is in the midst of a rebuilding project as its veteran stars age.
MacPhail said he is "extremely flattered" to be hired by the Phillies and is looking forward to learning about the organization over the next three months.
(h/t MLB.com)
