The Philadelphia Phillies, who have slipped to fourth place in the National League East, shook things up with a coaching change, the club announced on Tuesday.
In a shocking move, the Phillies relieved hitting coach John Mallee from his duties and replaced him with 75-year-old, Charlie Manuel, who was the club’s manager from 2005-2013.
The move comes in an attempt to revive the Phillies’ inconsistent offense, which ranks 19th in the majors in runs scored (557), 24th in batting average (.245) and 22nd in OPS (.738).
In similar move earlier this season, the New York Mets hired 82-year-old Phil Regan to replace Dave Eiland as pitching coach.
Perhaps this will light a fire under manager Gabe Kapler and the offense. The Phillies offense has underperformed, especially after adding former MVPs Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen, who has since had season-ending knee surgery, and All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto to the lineup.
As manager, Manuel led the club to five consecutive postseasons from 2007-2011 and won a World Series title in 2008. Since 2013, he served as a senior adviser to the Phillies general manager. Manuel previously served as hitting coach for the Cleveland Indians from 1988-89 and 1994-99 and manager from 2000-02.
First, it was 82-year-old Phil Regan hired as pitching coach with the #Mets and now 75-year-old Charlie Manuel becomes hitting coach for the #Phillies. #oldschool
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 13, 2019
