Andy MacPhail named president of Philadelphia Phillies

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Andy MacPhail has been named the president of the Philadelphia Phillies, the team announced Wednesday.

MacPhail succeeds Pat Gillick who became interim president in August 2014 when David Montgomery went on medical leave.

Montgomery returned in January 2015 and assumed the role of Phillies chairman.

In June, MacPhail was hired as special assistant to Gillick.

"As the Phillies begin this new chapter in the club's history, we are confident that Andy is the right person to lead the organization," Phillies Partner John Middleton said in a statement. "Speaking on behalf of the ownership group, we are pleased with the input that Andy has provided over the past few months. His years of baseball knowledge, combined with his passion for the game, are important as he moves forward with his primary objective of developing a championship-caliber team."

It was announced earlier in the year that Gillick would step down as president at the conclusion of the 2015 season.

"I would also like to thank Pat Gillick for, once again, providing invaluable leadership to the Phillies for the past 14 months. He will continue to assist the front office in an advisory role," Middleton said.