News from the Phillies:
#Phillies have extended the contract of Pete Mackanin as manager through the 2016 season. The extension includes a club option for 2017.
— Phillies (@Phillies) September 22, 2015
This is not particularly surprising. The team played much better under Pete Mackanin‘s leadership than they did under Ryne Sandberg. Players responded to him better and seemed to enjoy playing for him.
The length of the contract is crucial as well. Mackanin has never been a full-time manager; all three times he’s managed, he’s taken over for a manager who was fired or quit (Lloyd McClendon and Jerry Narron previously).