Rob Ellis on Joe Maddon: 'Phillies Should Make This Happen'

By Andrew Porter

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon is leaving the team immediately, after deciding to exercise his opt-out clause on Friday.

In the opening segment of the 94WIP Afternoon Show, Anthony Gargano asked Rob Ellis if the Phillies need to bring in Maddon to rebuild the program.

"Unequivocally yes," Ellis answered emphatically. "I don't care that you feel like you only gave Sandberg one year, feel like you're tied into him. There should not be acceptance by Phillies fans that, hey he's gonna go to the Dodgers, or hey he's gonna go wherever. Sandberg's here, Amaro's here, we're tied to this. Absolutely not. Don't sell yourself short. This should happen. They should make this happen. This is a reason to have hope in this team again. You may not be able to do it with the players on the field and you hear Grady Sizemore and Jerome Williams and you kinda roll your eyes. This is reason for Phillies to get excited again, to have a legitimate manager. Absolutely put their feet to the fire on this. This has to happen."

Gargano and Ellis started an "I want Joe" campaign on their show that developed into #IWantJoe on Twitter.

Listen to Rob Ellis on Joe Maddon below:

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