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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Ryne Sandberg resigns as Philadelphia Phillies manager

Ryne Sandberg, announcing his resignation, leaves Phillies with 119-159 record over parts of three seasons. (Associated Press)
Rob Maaddi Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA – Ryne Sandberg left on his terms.

An emotional Sandberg resigned as Phillies manager on Friday in his third season as Philadelphia struggles with the worst record in the major leagues.

“In a lot of ways I’m old school, and I’m very much dissatisfied with the record and not pleased at all with that,” Sandberg said. “I think that goes hand in hand with being a manager. So it’s been a difficult thing to swallow, but I have thought about it for some time, and we’ve come to this day. The accumulation of losses was something that I take responsibility for and something that really took a toll on me.”

Sandberg quits with a 119-159 record over parts of three seasons leading the Phillies. His only full season was in 2014, when the Phillies had a 73-89 record.

Third base coach Pete Mackanin will take over as interim manager at least through a six-game homestand. He’s 53-53 in parts of two seasons with Pittsburgh in 2005 and Cincinnati in 2007.

“This is my third time as an interim manager and it’s not fun,” Mackanin said. “It’s not a pleasant thing to do because you have to make sure you keep the guys pointed in the right direction and at the same time, everybody’s feeling a little bit funny. You’ve got to try to put it behind you as quick as possible and that’s not an easy thing to do. A lot of guys really enjoyed playing for Ryno and we enjoyed working for him. It’s not a fun day.”

The Phillies are expected to hire a new president soon. Signs point toward Andy MacPhail, who led the Minnesota Twins to a pair of World Series titles as general manager in 1987 and 1991. Pat Gillick replaced David Montgomery as team president last August, but the 77-year-old Hall of Fame executive wants to return to a consulting position.

Sandberg sounded like a guy who knew he wasn’t going to be part of the future.

“With some changes at the top looming, I did not want to be in the way of anything happening and progress going forward,” he said. “When it really hit me home, I felt it was better now than later – for myself, for my family, for the organization going forward.”

Sandberg choked up while thanking fans for their support. The 55-year-old Sandberg was drafted by the Phillies in 1978 out of Spokane’s North Central High School, but was traded to the Chicago Cubs where he became a Hall of Fame second baseman.

The Phillies gave Sandberg his first managerial job in the majors in August 2013 after they fired Charlie Manuel.

Friday night, the Phillies lost to first-place Washington and are now 26-49, 15½ games back of the Nationals in the N.L. East.

Philadelphia had low expectations this season, with little to no chance of contending and big challenges surrounding moving high-priced players like ace Cole Hamels, 2006 N.L. MVP Ryan Howard, six-time All-Star Chase Utley and star closer Jonathan Papelbon.

General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. could be next to go once a new president takes over.

“I don’t think Ryne should feel that he should shoulder all the blame,” Amaro said. “We win and lose as a team. I also take responsibility for the things that are happening on the field.”

Mackanin played for the Spokane Indians in the Pacific Coast League in 1973 and ’74. He played in 240 games for the Texas Rangers affiliate, batting .291 with 28 home runs and 103 RBIs in ’74.