Gabe Kapler SF Giants tenure: An SEO-optimized timeline of highs and lows

Gabe Kapler fired as San Francisco Giants' manager after 4 years, with a disappointing September record leading to playoff elimination.

Gabe Kapler, the former manager of the San Francisco Giants, was recently fired from his position after serving for nearly four years. The team's disappointing September performance, with a record of 8-17, resulted in their elimination from the playoffs before their final series even began, despite initially being considered wild-card favorites.

During Kapler's tenure, there were several notable moments that defined his time managing the Giants. On October 3, 2021, the team secured the NL West title on the final day of the season by defeating the Padres 11-4. This victory also led to the Dodgers being pushed into the wild card position, as the Giants achieved a franchise-record 107 wins.

However, the Giants' postseason journey came to an end on October 14, 2021, when they were defeated 2-1 by the Dodgers in Game 5 of the NL Divisional Series. This marked the first modern playoff matchup between these rival teams and served as Kapler's final playoff game with the Giants.

Despite the disappointment of their postseason exit, Kapler's contributions to the team were recognized when he signed a two-year contract extension on November 12, 2021, securing his position as manager through the 2024 season. This extension came after initially signing a three-year deal upon his hiring.

Kapler's managerial skills were further acknowledged on November 16, 2021, when he was named the National League Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. With 28 out of 30 first-place votes, he became only the second manager in Giants history, alongside Dusty Baker, to receive this prestigious award.

In May 2022, Kapler made headlines for his decision not to come out of the clubhouse or dugout onto the field for the national anthem following the tragic elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. In a blog post, he expressed his solidarity and commitment to taking a stand, initiating a protest that continued for a period of time.

The Giants' struggles continued in the 2022 season, as they were eliminated from playoff contention on October 1, with four games remaining. Despite a strong performance in September, where they went 18-10, the team's lackluster records of 11-17 in July and 10-17 in August contributed to their overall 81-81 finish.

On September 9, 2023, pitcher Ross Stripling voiced his frustration with the club, citing conflicting messages regarding his activation after returning from an injury list stint. This incident highlighted potential communication issues within the team.

Overall, Gabe Kapler's managerial journey with the San Francisco Giants was filled with both triumphs and challenges. While he achieved notable successes, such as leading the team to a division title and receiving individual accolades, the team's inconsistent performance and failure to reach the playoffs ultimately led to his departure from the organization.