Andy MacPhail: 'We Needed A Fresh Perspective'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- After 35 years with the Philadelphia Phillies organization, including seven as general manager, the Phillies decided to let Ruben Amaro Jr. go on Thursday. Scott Proefrock was named Interim GM, effective immediately.
"We needed a fresh perspective in the baseball operations department, a fresh approach," Phillies executive Andy MacPhail said on Thursday during a press conference with owner John Middleton, in which Amaro was not present for. "I think in fairness, it would be difficult to make the case that Ruben Amaro did not do good work while I was here. I think he really did.
"We talked to Ruben this morning. As you might imagine he was a pro about it."
"He was here for our glory years," Middleton said of Amaro. "As our GM he won three consecutive division titles and the 2009 National League pennant. Along the way, he assembled one of the great pitching rotations in baseball history.
"All of us wish Ruben well, as he moves into his next phase of his career."
Amaro had taken a lot of criticism over the past couple years during the Phillies' decline from the fans, and Middleton admitted that weighed in their decision.
"We were certainly aware of the fans' feelings," Middleton said. "Absolutely."
As for Amaro taking a different role within the organization, MacPhail said that "never came up."
