Mackanin ‘hopeful’ about his future with Phillies

Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin sat behind his office desk on Thursday afternoon and watched the television mounted on the wall. It was tuned to the news conference announcing the dismissal of Ruben Amaro Jr. as general manager.

Mackanin’s future beyond this season is uncertain. He tries not to think about it. The decision is out of his control. But as he watched the news conference, Mackanin heard incoming president Andy MacPhail say that a new general manager does not necessarily have to hire a new manager.

MacPhail said if it takes a while to hire a new general manager, then the general manager could lose a chunk of the offseason searching for a manager and coaching staff. Keeping Mackanin past this season sounded like a possibility.

“I understand why he said it,” Mackanin said. “I think he’s going to make the decision based on a number of different things. Like he said, everyone is still being evaluated. Certainly, whoever comes in as the new GM should have some say in who he wants to manage the team. That being the case, I just have to go with whatever happens. I can’t do anything about it.”

MacPhail was joined at the news conference by John Middleton, a part-owner of the franchise. Both praised Mackanin for the job he has done as a replacement for Ryne Sandberg, who abruptly resigned in June.

“The manager doesn’t necessarily have the impact on the talent. The talent, the organization provides it to him,” MacPhail said. “The best thing (the manager) can hope to do is increase the level of energy, effort and enthusiasm. And certainly we had, what was it, a monthlong streak where this team had the best record of anybody coming out of the break. So he certainly has demonstrated that he was capable of delivering that.”

The Phillies entered Thursday’s game 28-38 since Mackanin took over. They won 16 of their first 20 games after the All-Star break before the team parted with the majority of its veteran players at the trade deadline.

Mackanin is in his sixth season with the Phillies. He was previously the team’s bench coach and third base coach. This is his 47th year in professional baseball. He would like to reach year No. 50.

The 64-year-old from Chicago’s South Side has forged relationships with his players, who seem to enjoy the manager’s laid-back style. He speaks Spanish to the team’s Latin players. Mackanin jokes with sarcasm. The clubhouse is a lively place even though the team has the worst record in the majors.

“It’s very different team and a very different feeling,” Middleton said. “I think even with my sense within the fan base that people look at this team differently than they did three months ago.”

Mackanin said he and Amaro used to talk about their futures. He watched Thursday as Amaro’s fate was decided. The manager said he has been fired, waived, released, and traded. He knows how Amaro feels. And now Mackanin is waiting to find out what will happen to him.

“I feel hopeful,” Mackanin said. “I won’t let the negative thoughts enter as much as I can.”

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