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Former Keys Skipper Mackanin to Lead Phillies in 2016

September 23, 2015 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release


FREDERICK, Md. -On Tuesday afternoon, former Frederick Keys manager, Pete Mackanin, was named the skipper of the Philadelphia Phillies for the 2016 season. The 64-year-old has served as the team's interim leader since Ryne Sandberg resigned on June 26. Mackanin becomes the second manager in Keys history to receive a permanent MLB managerial role, joining Jerry Narron who previously led Texas (2001-02) and Cincinnati (2005-07).

Since taking over for Sandberg, Mackanin has led the Phillies to a 31-46 record and a 28-32 mark since the All-Star break. Before taking over as manager, he served as the team's third base coach.

"Pete, in my view, had a significant leg up in that I've seen the energy level [of the team] move up since he's been [in the position]," Phillies incoming president Andy MacPhail said to Phillies.com. "I think it's our job as a front office to be pretty realistic about what it is that we have and we don't have. It's our job to try to make sure we're aware of the whole circumstance and evaluate those things that are truly important going forward.

The leader of the 1993 Keys, Mackanin guided the orange and black to a 78-62 record and the club's second-ever playoff appearance. Although he stayed in Frederick for only one season, Mackanin still owns the highest winning percentage by any manager in Keys history. Not his only tour in the Carolina League, the Chicago native led the 2002 Lynchburg Hillcats to a Mills Cup title.

"I only know one way to manage, the way that I've done it my whole life," Mackanin said to CSNPhilly.com. "I'm gonna be the same guy that I was when I was in the minor leagues managing, when I was in Latin America managing. I do things a certain way and I interact with the players that's in their best interest and my best interest. It's the only way I know how."

In addition to his time with the Phillies, Mackanin also served as the temporary boss for the Pirates (2005) and the Reds (2007). One of four ex-Keys skippers to manage a Major League team on either a permanent or interim basis, Narron, Luis Pujols and Tom Lawless have also led big league clubs. Frederick's manager in 2014, Pujols served as Detroit's interim manager in 2002, while Lawless (2003-04 Keys) served as Houston's temporary boss last season.

Named The Sporting News' 1995 Minor League Manager of the Year, Mackanin managed in the minor leagues for 13 seasons, racking up 917 wins during that time. In addition to his Carolina League Championship with Lynchburg, he led the Ottawa Lynx (Expos) to an International League Championship in 1995.

The Frederick Keys kickoff their 2016 campaign on Thursday, April 7 against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on the Grand Strand. Planning is already underway for next season, while a tentative schedule complete with game times is available at frederickkeys.com.

The Frederick Keys are the Advanced-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, and play their home games at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium. For more information about the Frederick Keys please contact Geoff Arnold by phone at (301)-815-9915 or by emailing at GArnold@FrederickKeys.com.


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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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