Lopes misses Philly
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Lopes misses Philly
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
If you were wondering whether there are any hard feelings lingering over Davey Lopes departure from Philly, the answer is no. A resounding no. The former first base coach exchanged a hug with general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and spent a significant time during pre-game laughing heartily with the Phillies coaching staff as they prepared for batting practice.
"It got a little emotional out there," said Lopes, who is now the first base coach with the Dodgers, who open a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park tongiht.
It even got a little emotional during an interview with reporters as Lopes recounted his time in Philly and the circumstances surrounding his departure.
"I started feeling it last night when we flew in," Lopes said. "You see people walking around in downtown Philly saying Hey Davey, how you doing, sorry to see you're not back with us. Like I said, it's a little emotional. The four years I had here were as great as you could possibly have it. To see how this club and this organization grew to be, if not the best, then they have to be in the top three in the game of baseball, organizational wise, from top to bottom. Everything they do, from top to bottom, first class all the way. I kind of miss that."
The Phillies wanted to re-sign Lopes over the offseason, but the two sides failed to reach an agreement. In an interview with CSNPhilly.com after talks broke off, Lopes said they "had a different opinion on what I felt my worth was." Yesterday, he acknowledged money was an issue. But he also felt pulled back to Los Angeles so that he could spend more time with his daughter (she is an adult).
"That was a big part of my leaving," Lopes said. "Like I've always said, it was a very difficult decision. Believe me. I have nothing but great memories of this ballpark, and the fans, I consider the best in baseball. The intensity level coming into the ball park every day, I miss that tremendously. As you'll see when you go to LA with the empty seats. They're something you're not used to seeing in L.A. Neither am I. But, you know, this organization, the Phillies, from David Montgomery on down, is first class. They treated me great. It was a very difficult decision, believe me.
"It wasn't just (money). Was it a part of it? Yes, it was a part of it. But I have the utmost respect for Ruben, as a general manager and as a friend. He did what he felt what he had to do. I did what I had to do. That's it. There's no animosity whatsoever."
Lopes is clearly disappointed with the situation in L.A., where an MLB appointee has taken over day-to-day operations of the club and attendance is lagging.
"It's different," Lopes said. "It's been good, yeah. But it's different. It's not like what I remember. Put it that way.
"It is what it is, for now. We'll see what happens in the near future."
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We miss you, too, Davey...— TerryW- TerryW hit it on the head Davey. We miss u dearly....— Rebulicans and Democrats suck!
- Losing Lopes over what is probably a $100,000 was/is a disgrace. There running game, albeit having different personnel, is abysmal in comparisons to when he was here...5 runners picked off first in April doesn't help Sam Perlozzo's case much either....In my mind, he was the best baseball mind on the team..including the manager— bearsfriend
- Once again, people don't know what they're talking about. Gotta love these uninformed fans..."From Gelb's twitter: 'In advance of the Davey Lopes stories: Phillies have converted 84% of steals in 2011. (83.7% in 2010.) On pace for 115 SB. (108 in 2010.)"
So, yeah, think before you speak/type.— TID - Exactly right, TID....although I think where Lopes' departure has hurt is 3rd base coach. Moving Perlozzo to first and having Samuel at 3rd has not worked out as well as I had hoped. I think Juan is still getting used to 3rd and I'm sure he will be a good coach but I still don't understand why he's not on 1st. — jimyd0315
- There is no doubt Lopes was loved here, and he helped our running game. But we don't know what the dollar amount was, so to speculate is a disgrace... — PhilliefaninAZ
- It was about $100k. He did an interview with Mike Miss and the conversation pretty much spelled it out that way. Still though, they are a pretty successful running team w/o him as TID points out. Perlozzo has learned from the best and is keeping the Phils right on top of the SB% leader-board. — ESFjellin
- Well Davey we miss you but you made your choice. First class organization or a bankrupt divorce induced classless organization. Sellout crowds that recognize you on the streets or a bunch of fans that get settled in by the 4th inning. Fans that recognize you as a great 1st base coach or fans that remember you from the 1970's. You made your choice, move on like we have had to do.— outta work
- As much as I disliked Davey Lopes as a player (he was a Dodger, after all), that's how much I admired him as a coach for the Phightins.— PhightinPhil
- i really thought lopes would have been perfect as the next manager after charlie, if charlie needed to leave for any reason.— zwarte piet
- The next Phillies manager is in the system already. Can you say the manager of the Iron Pigs is?
— delcodanno - I hope the fans gave him his propers tonight.— burholme
- One of the best, if not the best coach in Phillies history.— BobbyD
- It is time to bring Davey back just like Cliff!!! I love that Philly is finally the place to be!— mmmike22
- sorry that you're no longer with us, maybe you'll come back when your contract expires.— chachi
