Phillies’ GM Apologizes for Lashing Out at Fans

Phillies’ GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has apologized for saying the team’s fans “don’t understand the game.”

“I’m a fan myself,” Amaro said Tuesday, after his comments drew attention from across the sporting world. “I understand the passion and the knowledge that our fans have for our game and the other major sports, all the other sports in Philly. The comments weren’t meant to disparage our fans by any stretch of the imagination. I probably used my words incorrectly or poorly. I want to apologize for that.”

Amaro made his original comments to CSN Philly, describing the team’s “conservative” approach with minor league prospects, and rebuking fans who would rush those prospects more quickly to the major leagues.

“They don’t understand the game,” Amaro said. “They don’t understand the process. There’s a process. And then they bitch and complain because we don’t have a plan. There’s a plan in place and we’re sticking with the plan. We can’t do what’s best for the fan. We have to do what’s best for the organization so the fan can reap the benefit of it later on. That’s the truth.”

Amaro has been the team’s general manager since shortly after the World Series victory in 2008.