Perlozzo takes over base stealing as Samuel is hired
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Perlozzo takes over base stealing as Samuel is hired
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Sam Perlozzo will be moving across the diamond. (AP Photo/H. Rumph Jr)
In 1980, Ruben Amaro Sr. signed Juan Samuel out of the Dominican Republic to be a Phillie. Thirty years later, Ruben Amaro Jr. has hired Samuel to be the Phillies' third-base coach.
"It's like a dream come true," Samuel said.
Samuel, 49, will be the third-base coach and outfield instructor for the Phillies. That means Sam Perlozzo moves across the diamond to become the team's first-base coach.
But the most intriguing part of Thursday's news is how the Phillies will handle their baserunning program going forward. With Davey Lopes gone because the two sides couldn't agree on a 2011 salary, the Phillies lose the guy who "might be the best base stealing coach around," as Manuel says.
Manuel, who spoke on a conference call in his car while on top of a mountain in North Carolina, said he was confident in Perlozzo's abilities.
"When I talked to Sam on the phone, I could see how much he was interested in being a base running coach again," Manuel said.
"He was so excited about doing that. It definitely played into my decision. Knowing Sam, as hard of a worker he is and a teacher. I think Sam has his motor running again. Our base running is going to be fine."
Under Lopes, the Phillies had the best base-stealing percentage in the majors. Lopes had complete control of the running program, with the ability to send runners during a game whenever he wanted. That's the amount of trust Manuel had in Lopes.
The manager said Perlozzo could be entrusted with the same amount of responsibilities. That will be discussed in spring training.
"More than likely it may happen," Manuel said. "He's very knowledgable."
Manuel said he has spoken to just three Phillies people since the season ended -- Amaro, Perlozzo and Samuel. Samuel and he had a long conversation Wednesday night that sealed the deal.
Manuel said Amaro had targeted Samuel a good while back and he was No. 1 on their list of potential coaching additions.
"He's a perfectionist," Manuel said. "He has a tremendous passion and that's why I like him on our staff."
Samuel played seven seasons with the Phillies (1983-89) and was enshrined on the club’s Wall of Fame in 2008. He is the 34th man in Phillies history to both play and coach for the team.
The rest of the coaching staff -- Mick Billmeyer (bullpen), Rich Dubee (pitching), Greg Gross (hitting), Pete Mackanin (bench) -- will be retained for the 2011 season. The entire staff operates on one-year contracts.
Gross took over in July for Milt Thompson, who coincidentally was hired Thursday as a minor-league instructor with the Houston Astros. Thompson had interviewed there for the hitting coach job but was not hired for that. Instead, he will coordinate outfield and baserunning in the Astros' farm system.
Read more in Friday's Inquirer about Samuel and his return to Philadelphia.
Comments (30)
Obviously this is the first move in Amaro's quest to get the Phils younger— netcaster- Okay you ready for this!? Mr. Manuel said "the Phillies lose the guy who might be the best base stealing coach around." IDIOTS!!!! And now we are going to "HOPE" Perlozzo can be as effective? It is like asking a community organizer to run the United States and "HOPE" he knows how to help the economy! hehe
- It just feels right to have Samuel back. Yes, trading him for Nails and McDowell was a master stroke. But he was a good player, a good guy and has grown into a good man. As for Perlozzo and base stealing, let's face it -- other than Dom Brown, the rest of our guys with speed have a pretty good idea what they're doing. Flash them the steal sign or green light and let them go. That simple.
— eman - Why Perlozzo? DUDES!!! You should have kept Mr. LOPES!!!!! It just can't be that the Phillies did not want to pay his salary! There has to be something more! Rumor is that the Phillies had wanted a younger ex-player who had a lot of base path experiences. The name I here is Von Hayes. ....jk
- bobf876 get your facts right before you start calling people idiots. Base coaches make market value...period. Only a moronic GM would pay Lopes more. If he wants more money than apply for a manager's position. There are many good base coaches that can mentor players how to steal. Lopes isn't the only one.— GoBirds77
- Philly fans...gotaa luv them...dudes...I think Charlie has a pretty good idea of what he's doing...at least I know he is much, much, much, more qualified then ANY of you idiots at setting up his coaching staff..Most of you morons would hae fired him in 2007...— merlinknghts
- I'm looking forward to seeing Perlozzo giving the stop sign to a guy coming out of the box.— AreaMan
If these guys could get close to Lopes, they would know Perlozzo was the cause of his leaving. He was making less money than Perlozzo and wouldn't stand for it anymore. Total snot-nosed, Ivy League arrogance decision by Amaro. One of the top 10 dumbest decisions in Philadelphia sports history (and The Inquirer does not know the inside story on it). I am Oppressed.— Nuutron- how sad— justacarpenter
Comment removed.
The tired, old boob managing the team is sitting pink for another year. Clowns to the left of him and clowns to the right. I guess all season we'll be hearing the that Juan Samuel really, really run."- @ Wilhelm Von Dimbulb: I think your mixing your franchises. Direct those comments to Big Red and Joe Banner....— Nigel#1
A very bad move...this guy was so indecisive at 3rd, he's going to be a non-factor at first. Another penny pinching move by the Phillies on top of a ticket price increase....should have kept the best stealing base coach in D Lopes that they ever had!- AreaMan: Thanx for the laugh. Sam throws up the all stop coming out of the box. Classic.— phightinphils
- In the end it probably won't end up mattering all that much however, I have to say that Oswalt is more qualified to call the base running scheme than Sam. Holds up Lil Roy who ends up scoring but waves around Chooch, who although a favorite of mine, let's face it doesn't have blazing base running speed and is out at the plate.— phightinphils
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The Phillies Zone is the place for up-to-the-minute Phillies coverage from the Inquirer.
Matt Gelb
Inquirer Staff Writer
Bob Brookover
Inquirer Baseball Columnist
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