Recycling is good, right?
Today the Phillies formally announced that Larry Bowa would be returning to the Phillies coaching staff.
Also – SURPRISE! – Pete Mackanin makes a return, according to many reports including this tweet from the Philadelphia Daily News' Ryan Lawrence.
Mackanin was not retained on the Phillies coaching staff for the 2013 season. Mackanin served as Charlie Manuel's bench coach after Jimy Williams decided not to return after the 2008 season through the 2012 season. Mackanin had two interim manager stints in the major leagues for the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates, but Mackanin has not served as a third base coach in the major leagues just yet. Mackanin spent 2013 scouting for the New York Yankees.
According to Lawrence, Juan Samuel and Rod Nichols are not ruled out, but have not agreed to remain with the club either. The Phillies could have offered them the first base coach and pitching coach positions, but they have not offered.
Steve Henderson will remain as Phillies hitting coach, but Wally Joyner declined to spend another season as Phillies assistant hitting coach. Joyner was credited by many to be the reason for Domonic Brown's breakout season in 2013.
So, to recap the coaching decisions:
- Larry Bowa – Bench coach
- Pete Mackanin – Third base coach
- Steve Henderson – Hitting coach
- First base coach TBA
- Pitching coach TBA
- Bullpen coach TBA
- Assistant hitting coach TBA
PS – Pete Mackanin HATES this baseball card. It's his only Phillies card ever issued, a 1979 Burger King-Topps card. He let me know when I had him sign it at the Phestival a few years ago.
