Another coach is gone. Mick Billmeyer, who has been with the team in one capacity or another since 2004, will not return to the Phillies, the club announced. Billmeyer entered the organization as the team's catching instructor, and spent time in the bullpen warming up pitchers and assisting bullpen coach Ramon Henderson. After Henderson (presently a coach with the Gulf Coast League Phillies) left the organization to deal with some personal issues, Billmeyer became bullpen coach. In 2013, Billmeyer turned the bullpen over to Rod Nichols and became the "catching coach" once again, while serving as an unofficial bench coach for manager Charlie Manuel.
Billmeyer is perhaps best known for a sign-stealing scandal, particularly when he was caught on camera watching the game with binoculars. Teams felt that he was reading the catcher's signs and relaying them to hitters.
Todd Zolecki had many nice things to say about Billmeyer in his blog today, recognizing the many intangibles Billmeyer brought to the team:
Billmeyer, 49, was one of the most well-liked people in the clubhouse and organization because of his high-energy personality, positivity and sense of humor. It actually is why the Phillies moved him into the dugout this season.
Besides his regular duties, he simply had a knack for knowing when to keep things loose in the clubhouse. The Astros swept the Phillies in a four-game series at Citizens Bank Park in Aug. 2010 to drop them three games out of first place in the National League East. The Phillies then flew to San Diego to open a seven-game road trip. Billmeyer, sensing the team was down and tight, had players rolling on the ground before the series opener at PETCO Park, impersonating pitchers’ mannerisms on the mound.
Some random Mick Billmeyer trivia:
- Billmeyer pitched to Chase Utley in the 2008 Home Run Derby
- Billmeyer is credited with helping convert Carlos Ruiz from a second baseman to a catcher as he moved along into the Phillies major league roster.
- Billmeyer interestingly is the only Phillies player or coach to wear #17 after Scott Rolen was traded from the Phillies to the St. Louis Cardinals.
With only so many uniformed coaches allowed at one time, the Phillies perhaps feel the need to use the coaching slot for their second hitting coach or for a bench coach, a position the Phillies did without in 2013. Rookie Manager Ryne Sandberg would likely add an experienced ex-manager or coach to the staff to advise him during games.
