Lopes will not return to Phillies
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Lopes will not return to Phillies
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
There were hints late in the season that Davey Lopes' future with the Phillies was in doubt. In September, Lopes said he was undecided whether he'd return despite an open invitation from the team. Manager Charlie Manuel said Lopes and Ruben Amaro Jr. had differences they needed to discuss.
On Monday, those differences resulted in Lopes informing the team he will not return as first-base coach for the 2011 season. The two sides could not agree on a salary.
"I feel this is a different situation than most situations," Lopes said by phone. "I'm not saying the money they offered was not good. Everybody will say, 'It's a money thing. It's a money thing.' That played into it. But there's a certain time in your career where you're pigeon-holed and I don't feel as though I should be. It should be based on your value to the club. It has nothing to do with if I'm a first-base coach or third-base coach. What is my value to the club?"
Lopes declined to say how far apart the club and he were on a salary. He said he was not looking for pitching or hitting coach money.
Many would argue Lopes' value is immeasurable. Since taking over in 2007 and being handed the reins to the Phillies' running game, the team has successfully stolen bases on 84.3 percent of their attempts, by far the best mark in the majors during that span.
Lopes said, as far as he knows, he is the only first-base coach in the majors who has complete control of a team's running game. On most clubs, the manager makes those decisions. But with the Phillies, Lopes made the call when or when not to steal. Sometimes, Lopes said, Manuel would issue hit-and-runs, but that was his only involvement.
But in baseball, first-base coach is one of the lowest positions on the totem pole. Lopes said he felt he was different than other first-base coaches and wanted to be compensated thusly. The Phillies decided against it.
"But again, that's a matter of philosophy," Lopes said. "And that's fine. I just felt it was time to make a stand. Sometimes you have to do things you don't necessarily want to do. That's what I did. Will it cost me? Will someone offer me a deal? I don't know. If they do, great. If they don't, fine. I've been blessed for all these years."
Davey, Good luck!! Thanks for the good coaching and adios. Now, anyone who thinks he is indispensible - stick your hand in a bucket of water and then pull it out. See how long it takes to fill the hole??? The Phillies will find a first base coach quickly.— billtfla
This move is going to backfire more than whatever happens with Werth or the bullpen. Lopes made the running game a lethal (if underutilized) weapon over the last few years. I hope that whatever wisdom he passed on to these guys stays in their brains. Bad move, Phils. Pay the man what he's earned.— Doctor D- RAJ is taking the 50K he saved on Lopes and putting it into the Werth booty. Captin' Beard will be back next fo' sho' now.— dabonz
Lopes was the best coach, sad to see him not signed.— bill19666- Wow! In the last couple of months Ruben fires his major league hitting coach and his AAA and AA managers and his first base coach is let go for money reasons. Who's next?— Dull
Stinks. Lopes has been the reason for their success with stealing bases and he will be hard to replace.- If Davey Lopes was in charge of base stealing and outfield play, he did a great job. As noted everywhere the Phillies are dominant in base stealing percentage ever since Lopes arrived, even setting a major league record. But they also have had exceptionally strong and sound outfield play. Those things don't happen just by mistake and Lopes will be difficult to replace with just some ole guy who can shuffle a deck of cards.— jtj06
- Lopes is replaceable. But Charlie needs all, and the best help he can get when it comes to managing the game. I think Charlie's assistant coaches are more important than other managers'.— mtt122
- We can all have our opinions. I think the Phils will miss Lopes, however, one can't over estimate their own value. Lopes did have some horses to play with as well (Rollins, Victorino, Werth, Utley). And Lopes did have men actually get on base. Its a two way street in sports. The team will miss Lopes alot. However, its RAJ's ship and let him put the $$$ where its needed..on the field. Cholly will surely find someone to fill the bill.— drhoffman
- Phils made a big mistake. They have enough money to keep Lopes. He was a huge part in improving their running game.— Quaker
- Phillies are dead wrong on this one, and it will have a significant impact. Just think, we get to watch our fastest runner and biggest dimwit, Victorino, use his own judgement!
Given what coaches are paid, it doesn't matter how far apart they were, as it couldn't have been much more than $150,000. Can you imagine losing someone this valuable over that amount?!— VicM - BRING HIM BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Larry Bowa is not returning to the Dodgers next season. Bring him back. Welcome Home Larry.— AreUKiddinMe
Comment removed.- How can the Phillies possible pay Rich Dubee or Greg Gross or Pete Mackanin more than Davey Lopes? Every time Dubee visited the mound, the next pitch resulted in a base hit. You saw how the team hit in the postseason with Greg Gross as hitting coach. Charlie Manuel kept making the same strategy blunders over and over, so what if anything does Pete Mackanin contribute?— Freedom Fries
