Phillies tab MacPhail as next team president

Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - The Philadelphia Phillies announced Monday that longtime MLB executive Andy MacPhail will succeed Pat Gillick as team president at the conclusion of this season.

MacPhail, 62, will serve as a special assistant to Gillick for the remainder of the season.

"I'm going to do everything I can to take advantage of the experience and intellect of the man on my left (Gillick), who is deservedly in the Hall of Fame," MacPhail said at an introductory press conference. "I'd be a fool if I were to ignore that advice."

Gillick will retire at season's end, leaving MacPhail to oversee the entire organization, both its business and baseball operations.

MacPhail was the general manager of the Minnesota Twins when they won World Series titles in 1987 and 1991. He served as president and CEO of the Chicago Cubs from 1994-2006, helping them reach the playoffs twice. He then spent five seasons (2007-2011) as the president of baseball operations for the Baltimore Orioles.

"I am very pleased to join the Phillies. I look forward to helping this organization bring championship caliber baseball back to Philadelphia. That is what the city and its terrific fans deserve," MacPhail said.

The Phillies have the worst record in the majors at 27-50 and are in the early stages of a rebuild.

They also are in need of a new manager.

Ryne Sandberg hinted at MacPhail's impending arrival and sounded like a guy who figured he wasn't going to be part of the future when he resigned as Phillies manager on Friday. Pete Mackanin has been serving as interim manager.