Mackanin took over as Phillies’ interim manager after Ryne Sandberg quit in June 2015. He has remained skipper since then, guiding the Phils through their long rebuild as the team’s play has slowly improved. In 2015 the team finished 63-99; last year they went 71-91; this year the team stands at 13-19.
With the extension, the Phillies seem to be happy with Mackanin being the team’s manager through its first wave of possible contention. He has been known as a player’s manager, a steady and affable clubhouse presence.