I just got to my hotel in Denver after a 7 a.m. flight, which followed an 11-inning game that began after 10 p.m. Eastern, so I'm going to be lazy and paste the news release from the Phillies announcing the return of the entire Phillies coaching staff for 2008. But I will say this was expected. The only hold up had been bench coach Jimy Williams, but any issues there had been ironed out.
All coaches have been signed to one-year contracts.
But before we get to the release, Curt Schilling said he would like to return to Philadelphia if the Red Sox do not re-sign him. Keep an eye on that, especially if Schilling is sincere when he says he would take a one-year contract. I think if that's the case, the Phillies would jump all over that.
Here is the release about the coaching staff:
PHILLIES RENEW ENTIRE COACHING STAFF FOR 2008 SEASON
The Phillies' coaching staff, which instructed the team to the National League East Division championship, has been renewed for the 2008 season, the club announced today.
Rich Dubee (pitching), Ramon Henderson (bullpen), Davey Lopes (first base), Steve Smith (third base), Milt Thompson (hitting) and Jimy Williams (bench) have all had their contracts extended through the 2008 season, as well as catching instructor Mick Billmeyer.
"I couldn't be happier with the job my coaches did this year," said manager Charlie Manuel. "Their hard work paid off in a big way when we won the division."
Dubee, 50, handled a club-record 28 different pitchers this past season with seven of them making their major league debuts. The team also set a franchise record with nine different pitchers getting saves. Overall, Dubee guided the pitching staff through injuries to starting pitchers Adam Eaton, Cole Hamels, Jon Lieber and Freddy Garcia and relievers Tom Gordon, Ryan Madson, Brett Myers and Mike Zagurski, among others.
In his first season with the Phillies, the 62-year-old Lopes coached the club to the best stolen base percentage in major league history. The team stole 138 bases - second-best in the NL - and was thrown out only 19 times, good for an 87.9% success rate. Both Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino finished in the NL's top 10 in both stolen bases and stolen base percentage. Lopes also oversaw the outfield defense. In 2007, the Phillies had 39 outfield assists, tops in the NL and second only to Tampa Bay among all major league clubs. Aaron Rowand (11), Victorino (10) and Jayson Werth (9) all finished in the top 10 in the league in outfield assists.
For the second time in as many seasons, Thompson, 48, oversaw an offense that led the NL in runs. The team total of 892 was the most by any Phillies club since 1930, when they scored 944 runs. Also in 2007, the Phillies led the NL in triples (41), walks (641), slugging percentage (.458), extra-base hits (580), total bases (2,605) and times on base (2,289), while finishing second in home runs (213).
In addition to his bench coach duties as Manuel's second-in-command, the 64-year-old Williams also was in charge of the pitchers' hitting and bunting. Under his watch, the Phillies' pitching staff finished fourth in the NL with 51 hits, 22 more than the 2006 team (29), and led all NL staffs in runs scored (28). Their 39 sacrifice bunts was 10 more than the previous year (29).
For Henderson, 2008 will be his 11th season as a coach with the Phillies, the longest active streak in the NL East. For the third straight season, Henderson, 44, served as a pitcher for the Century 21 Home Run Derby during the All-Star break. Under Billmeyer's supervision, Phillies catchers threw out the third-most runners in the NL (31). Only the Dodgers (37) and Nationals (33) threw out more. Smith returns for his second season as third base coach and infield instructor.
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My description of Arizona fans after Game 1 made the Arizona Republic today.
Comments (10)
I always liked Schilling, both as a person and as a ball-player. I'd love to see him back here. Hamels-Schilling-Loshe-Moyer-Kendrick with Eaton in reserve somehow would be pretty darn respectable. Resign Romero, bolster the bullpen somehow, and top it off with the Phils' run support, and they'd be the "team to beat" again.
Posted by Louis DeVizia | October 13, 2007 2:03 PM
Posted on October 13, 2007 14:03
Geez, could they be any more neutral concerning Smith? One sentence? I was on the bandwagon to dump him early this year but I think he showed better judgement as the year went on and he learned which Phillies runners can actually run and what NL outfielders can throw. If you are gonna resign him, show him a little love.
Posted by jimmymack | October 13, 2007 2:14 PM
Posted on October 13, 2007 14:14
I TOO, DIDN'T LIKE SMITH AT THIRD. BUT, HE HAS WON ME OVER.
BUT KEEPING DUPREE WITH THE WORST ERA IN BASEBALL WITH LEO MAZZONE AVAILABE, MAKES NO SENSE TO ME.
WE GOT RID OF HIS SON, NOW IS TIME FOR HIM TO GO.
Posted by RAY B. | October 13, 2007 2:25 PM
Posted on October 13, 2007 14:25
Curt Schilling? Sincere? Yeah, a sincere egomaniac. He may limit himself to contenders, but beyond that he'll go where the money leads him.
Posted by Joe | October 13, 2007 4:37 PM
Posted on October 13, 2007 16:37
If no top-of-the-line starters are available via trade or free agency, I'd give Carlos Carrasco every opportunity to make the team next Spring. With Moyer in the rotation its like having an extra pitching coach so we can afford to gamble a bit with young arms. Hey, it worked for Kendrick. And, obviously, it's working out real well for Colorado.
Posted by Drolz | October 13, 2007 5:09 PM
Posted on October 13, 2007 17:09
I'd certainly favor a rotation that features Schilling over one that doesn't. It's be nice to have Hamels-Schilling-Kendrick-Moyer as the top four, but what's next after that?
Adam Eaton? Kyle Lohse? Carlos Carrasco?
Either way, it makes the bullpen that much more deep, with Myers, Gordon, and possibly Romero.
C'mon Schilling - finish up the ALCS so you can sign on with us.
Posted by V | October 13, 2007 5:13 PM
Posted on October 13, 2007 17:13
Does Aaron really want 16 million a year for 10 years and a new pony? God, I love the guy, but . . .At USS Mariner.com they're saying Pat Gillick trades for aging veterans while burning down the farm.
Posted by #12 | October 13, 2007 7:04 PM
Posted on October 13, 2007 19:04
Rowand [too good of a year makes him too expensive] & Lohse [Scott Boras client] are most likely gone. The money you would have spent on Rowand goes to Schilling [without the multiple years you'd have to give Rowand]. This improves the pitching but unfortunately, also increases the level of bullsh*t in the clubhouse.
With Eaton having the winter to get healthy, he can't be that bad again --- can he? If not, they better have done whatever they can to resign Romero. Not only did he finally put it all together, the guy is a warrior who loves it here.
That doesn't happen all that often, now does it?
Posted by yobill626 | October 13, 2007 11:11 PM
Posted on October 13, 2007 23:11
Dubee ? Maybe, I missed something. We battled, to get into the playoffs, then didn't win a game, against Colorado. I guess we have nothing to improve on,right ? Other than Hammels and Kendrick, the pitching was subpar. Even Moyer. I know, leadership. ERA over (5). How much does Gillick make ? For doing, absolutely nothing. SAY IT AGAIN. Absolutely nothing ! Think were acting, like new kids on the block ? Report Gillick to Social Security, cause he's double dipping. Maybe, he'll step aside, and give someone with an incentive to succeed, a chance..GO PHILS "08"
Posted by Pat H | October 14, 2007 1:17 AM
Posted on October 14, 2007 01:17
Curt Shilling?
You guys are as messed up as us!
Enough of the rethreads for both of our teams I say.
Where the heck are the scouts?
Enjoy the Winter!
Mr. Met
Posted by MR MET | October 14, 2007 1:47 AM
Posted on October 14, 2007 01:47