IS GETTING ITS DRAFT BOARD READY
Major League Baseball announces its Louisville Silver Slugger awards at 4 p.m. today.
I'm guessing Chase Utley will win a Silver Slugger at second base because his .915 OPS led the National League. He also led qualifying NL second basemen in average (.292), home runs (33) and RBIs (104). Ryan Howard also has a good shot winning at first base. He led the majors in home runs (48) and RBIs (146), although Albert Pujols (1.114) and Lance Berkman (.986) had a better OPS than Howard (.881).
*
The Phillies interviewed former Baltimore Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo for a coaching position today. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get a job. He has extensive experience as a third base coach.
Update (3:10 p.m.): It's official. The Phillies have hired Perlozzo. In a news release, the Phillies said, "a specific coaching position has yet to be assigned." But Perlozzo, who will handle infield instruction, knows how to be a third-base coach. He held that role in 2008 with the Seattle Mariners. Before that he served as third base coach (1996-2000), bench coach (2001-2005) and manager (2005-07) for the Baltimore Orioles. He also coached third base for Seattle (1993-95), Cincinnati (1990-92) and the New York Mets (1987-89).
“I’ve known Sammy for a long time and I couldn’t be happier to add someone with his experience to our coaching staff,” Charlie Manuel said in a statement.
