Lopes will not return
We got the first hint in spring training, when Jayson Werth suggested that this would be Davey Lopes' last season as first base coach, and a couple of days after the Phillies were eliminated by the San Francisco Giants in the NLCS the situation had yet to be resolved.
Lopes will not return
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
We got the first hint in spring training, when Jayson Werth suggested that this would be Davey Lopes' last season as first base coach, and a couple of days after the Phillies were eliminated by the San Francisco Giants in the NLCS the situation had yet to be resolved.
Yesterday, though, the Phillies found out definitively that Lopes would not return for another season on the team's coaching staff.
"I found out about Davey's decision today and clearly we are disappointed that he will not be a Phillie next season," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement. "We were hopeful that he would have remained with us as he did a fine job with our baserunners and our outfielders for the last four years. Going forward, we will immediately begin a search for his replacement."
The veteran coach, whom the club credited with turning around its base-stealing attack, told Comcast Sports Net that he and the Phillies were unable to agree upon a salary.
“We just had a difference of opinion on what I felt my worth was,” Lopes said, according to CSNPhilly.com. “That’s all. It was a really tough decision because I loved my time in Philadelphia, I loved working for [manager] Charlie Manuel, and I have the utmost respect for everyone in that organization.
“I got more enjoyment out of winning that World Series in 2008 than I did the one I won with the Dodgers as a player. I can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed my time in Philadelphia. I am really going to miss the atmosphere and the passion. The fans were great to me. I went from being a bad guy, a Dodger, to someone they really embraced. I really appreciate that.”
Huge mistake not resigning Lopes. Huge.— mebphila- that sucks
— ackbluz - ouch...got any GOOD news for the offseason? "couldnt agree on salary..." what does a 1st base coach command?— jamesiri
- You've got to be kidding me. The guy makes a fraction of what Howard, Utley, or Ibanez make but yet they can't agree on a salary. Ridiculous.— n62
- he will be missed!— Hearts
- Not good. Davey was an asset to our squad for years. Bring back LB to coach first.— todays people
- That's a foolish move by Amaro. Oh well.— HandNik
- Another save for Ruben's Rainy Day Fund. I hope wherever Lopes' goes he runs the Phillies ragged. What a cheap bunch of owners this town has. They rave every game on Comcast how they fill the ball park but claim to be paupers when it comes time to get down and dirty. Bye, Jayson. These scrooges will be looking to throw more money at bullpen ragarms than to keep a quality fielder.— MFinSC
- If the New York Yankees "only" signed Joe Girardi for 3 million a year, how far apart could the Phillies and Lopes have been that salary was the reason he's not returning? Whatever they paid Lopes the last four years, it wasn't enough.— mike 1717
- Best of luck to Davey! The Phillies "private eye" was a great influence and teacher to the likes of Rollins, Victorino, Werth, Utley, and the departed speedster, Michael Bourn. As a fan, you could sense Davey's frustration that this ballclub had lost their aggression on the basepaths. This ballclub desperately needs to regain its mojo next season.— Seeing Red
Sad to see. He will be missed. The only thing I can guess is he wanted a pay bump and a promise to be manager-in-waiting for when Cholly retires someday.- Amaro may be starting to out-Stanford himself. Lopes is as valuable as anyody they have on the coaching staff.— duffers
- It's a good thing we're a dynasty or all of this would be depressing.— justacarpenter
- Is this a typo? I think it is supposed to say "Sam Perlozzo will not return"— Michael in Denver
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