Fired SF Giants manager Gabe Kapler issues lengthy Instagram statement

Gabe Kapler has written a lengthy Instagram farewell to San Francisco after being fired as the Giants manager on Friday.

The dismissal blindsided many: Just two years ago, Kapler was named National League Manager of the Year with a record of 107-55. Since joining the Giants in 2020, Kapler accrued an overall record of 295-248 but only made it to the playoffs once. After a bleak 2023 season, on Friday the organization announced Kapler was out. 

On Saturday, Kapler posted his thoughts on the firing to his Instagram. “Most statements like these are a couple of platitudes. Gonna try this a little differently,” the statement begins. “I miss the players, the coaches, all the clubhouse staff, everyone else that I’ve come to know so well already, and I’m like, 15 minutes off my bike in Levi’s Plaza. I may not have been expressive enough in how much I care for everyone in this organization.”

He went on to thank players, coaches, support staff and front office members. 

“It is a disappointment to say goodbye. My dad introduced me to this city and it’s history. Having lived here and been more exposed to it, SF is spectacular,” Kapler wrote (the Kaplers grew up in Los Angeles). “I felt a genuine connection, perhaps not to everyone everywhere of course, but to most. I’ve heard the (loud, haha) criticisms, and I’ve heard the support.”

“We didn’t win enough to satisfy me or our fans; that sucks,” he added. “But each morning and late night riding my bike along the Embarcadero to North Beach, I felt like I had the support of so many in this the city, and I will carry that with me. I’m already looking for a good spot to grab a burger and watch the game tonight.”

Kapler ended the four-slide-long statement with a last line that may read as a bit ominous for Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi. 

“I have a ton more to say; I’ll do that over the course of time,” Kapler wrote. 

Bench coach Kai Correa is serving as the interim manager for the Giants’ season-ending game against the Dodgers on Sunday. The game will also feature a nostalgic send-off to Brandon Crawford, who is likely playing his last game ever in the black and orange.