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Phillies fans boo Gabe Kapler at home opener

Everyone else on the Phillies was cheered as the manager took the blame for the season's slow start before Thursday's home opener at Citizens Bank Park.

Phillies manager Gabe Kapler (right) gets high fives from his team as he is introduced before the game.
Phillies manager Gabe Kapler (right) gets high fives from his team as he is introduced before the game.Read moreChris Szagola / AP
    by Matt Breen
    Published 

Gabe Kapler's first public reaction from Philadelphia fans was a loud boo as he was introduced before Thursday's home opener at Citizens Bank Park.

The manager was booed after a difficult first week on the job in which the Phillies started the season with one win in their first five games. Everyone else on the Phillies was cheered as the manager took the blame for the season's slow start. He said before the game that he was not concerned about the reaction he would receive during pregame introductions. He was instead excited to hear the cheers his players would get.

"It's not about me," Kapler said. "It's about an incredible group of young players, very gifted athletically, and very excited to have the reception that they deserve, which is the fans' giving them a lot of love."

Kapler got booed again when he came out to pull pitcher Nick Pivetta after 5 2/3 shutout innings. Pivetta threw 97 pitches, but fans still let Kapler have it.