The Phillies liked Rod Nichols enough to retain him on the major league staff in 2014 after spending eight seasons as pitching coach for the Phillies in their AAA affiliates, and several more at low A and AA dating back to 2000 before joining the Phillies staff as bullpen coach in 2013. Despite not being chosen to be the Phillies' pitching coach, the team wanted him back.
Nichols' was Ryne Sandberg's pitching coach during Sandberg's minor league managerial stint for the Phillies organization. Nichols has worked with the Phillies' young pitchers in the minors and now in the major leagues as the bullpen coach. Give Nichols some credit for the transformation of young pitchers Jake Diekman and B.J. Rosenberg, who have worked their way into legitimate major league relievers. Nichols can continue that development in 2014.
The Phillies hired Nichols for their bullpen with the idea that he would be a second pitching coach to the relievers in the bullpen. The role was previously filled by Mick Billmeyer, a former minor league catcher who essentially helped answer the bullpen phone and warm up relief pitchers. The fact that Nichols was not immediately dismissed as Dubee and Billmeyer were, likely meant that at the very least Nichols would resume his role in the Phillies bullpen.
Nichols' son Chris Nichols pitched in 2013 for Lakewood and Clearwater.
