Ryne Sandberg among three coaches added to Phillies staff
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Ryne Sandberg among three coaches added to Phillies staff
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Ryne Sandberg, the Hall of Famer viewed as a potential successor to Charlie Manuel, was added to the Phillies coaching staff Thursday. Sandberg wil serve as Manuel's third-base coach and infield instructor in 2013.
He was among a plethora of changes announced. Only pitching coach Rich Dubee will remain in his 2012 role. The team will not have a bench coach next season.
Two others from the minor-league system were promoted. Steve Henderson, the organization's roving hitting instructor, was named hitting coach. Rod Nichols, who served as pitching coach at triple-A Lehigh Valley, was named bullpen coach.
Mick Billmeyer was "promoted" to catching coach, the Phillies said. Billmeyer is the longest-tenured member of Manuel's staff. He served as bullpen coach for the last four seasons and was major-league catching instructor for five seaons before that.
Juan Samuel was offered the first-base coach job and has yet to accept.
The Phillies did not retain three coaches -- Sam Perlozzo, Pete Mackanin and Greg Gross -- immediately following the conclusion of Wednesday's last game.
Finding a spot for Sandberg was paramount. Manuel has one season remaining on his contract and could retire after 2013. The franchise's decision-makers have an affinity for Sandberg, who managed at triple-A Lehigh Valley for the last two seasons.
Sandberg, of course, could still interview for managerial openings this winter. He interviewed with St. Louis last winter for its job.
Henderson, 61, was formerly hitting coach for Tampa Bay from 2006-09. He spent the last two seasons as the Phillies minor-league hitting coordinator.
Nichols, 47, mentored many of the young pitchers who have come through the Phillies system. With another young bullpen expected, Nichols could be instrumental in overseeing its development.
It's uncommon for teams to have a staff without a bench coach; Detroit was the only team in 2012 that did not retain one. But Manuel has long trusted Dubee as his righthand man. Billmeyer, now in the dugout, could ascend to a higher role.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
What does a "Catcher's Coach" do? Is Billmeyer going to teach Carlos Ruiz how to be a Catcher? Why don't they just name him Bench Coach and be done with it?
— SteveS11- This comment has been deleted. — Dew Schbag
- Nice moniker, hombre. How'd you slip that past the monitor? — andrewfrombrooklyn
- No bench coach is puzzle to me. The only team without a bench coach was Detroit with Jim Leyland. Another pair of eyes helping making decisions in the dugout is not a bad idea, especially with Cholly. Another observation, Billmeyer from BP coach to catching coach looks like a demotion to me not a promotion. Wasn't Ramon Henderson a catching coach? Other than Sammy being offered a job again, I like the additions.— EL Zorro
- Sounds like a demotion for Juan Samuel. I wouldn't be surprised if he turned it down.— SteveS11
- You're kidding right? 1B coach controls the running game. I don't see that as demotion. Davey Lopes was 1B coach, I'm sure he liked doing that a lot.
In any case aside from some basic duties these coaches can have additional responsibilities that make the job more attractive. I believe Lopes did far more than just his fair share of 1B Coach duties. 
Gosh!! Looks like we have locked up the 2013 title! C'mon, gang. They are coaches for heaven's sake. And, apparently, Cholly "don't need no stinkin' bench coach."- "But Manuel has long trusted Dubee as his righthand man."
Dumb and Dumber.
— BumSatellite - They also trimmed the coaching staff from 7th to six. I guess they saw the ratings drop and the sellouts end and are in a save mood.— EL Zorro
- Sidewinder are you crazy, this team under Charlie has always been a dominant 2nd half team and Rube knows that. He's gonna be here the whole season unless they completely tank, which they had every chance to do this year and didn't, so don't bet on that happening. I love the moves though, Sandberg has to realize the job is his in 2014, so spending a year getting to know the ins and outs of this team will be very beneficial. Hopefully Ruben has expressed this to him and we dodge the last chance for another team to grab him. It does look like this will probably be Dubees last yr as well, i'd assume Ryan would want his guy, especially since Nichols is the one who's been working with these young guys. Charlies a class act and i'm sure will love working with Sandberg. Let's pray we send this man out in style with another ring, he certainly deserves it.— The Pink Floyd
- how about assistant head coach for Ryno?— briman
- Clearly, Sandburg to third was not something Manuel wanted - he doesn't want Sandburg in the same ballpark. Also, Nichols' calm demeanor will be welcomed by the young pitchers versus Dubious Dubee's famous bullying style; this, also, Manuel could not have wanted. A roving hitting instructor (Henderson), with a clear and articulate hitting philosophy distributed to the entire farm system, again flies in the face of hitting guru Magoo and his "hittin' season" swing for the fences style.
Uncle Cholly's gonna be surrounded by coaches he does not want. And as anyone knows who has been paying attention, Magoo is very shrewd with the media and expert at sticking knives in coworkers' backs. Having the .198 career squirrel hunter around could seriously damage Sandburg before he even gets started.
Ruin.
Tomorrow.
Jr.
Guaranteed to blow your mind.
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— Quixote II - Haters gonna hate. No facts, just the same tired drivel we've endured for most of the season. Good job! — vafan
- Pitching geniuses: Can you tell me what is so bad about Rich Dubee? With the exception of this year and its lousy first-half bullpen we've had a pretty strong pitching staff. Hamels has gone from boy to man. And it's not just the multiple Aces we've collected. Madson developed into a top reliever under Dubee. Stinking Kendrick has hung in there and become a quality 5th starter - maybe even a quality 4th starter. Worley came out of nowhere last year. Same for Stutes before injuries sidelined him. Beside Bastardo, which pitcher of any caliber has failed to develop under his watch? Seems the only coach who could help Bastardo was Dannys Baez.— frankenslade
