The Phillies raised eyebrows Thursday when they fired AAA Lehigh Valley manager Dave Brundage. The Allentown Morning Call first reported the news and Philly.com confirmed it soon after.
Brundage’s firing came despite his best season with Lehigh Valley. The IronPigs won a franchise-record 85 games and got into the International League playoffs for the first time since 2011. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders – the Yankees AAA affiliate – quickly swept Lehigh Valley in the semifinal round.
There’s no love lost between Brundage and outfielding prospect Nick Williams. Brundage benched Williams multiple times this season for his lack of hustle on the field.