Phillies Coaching Staff See Changes

Sep 13, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg in the dugout before the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

On January 27, 1982, the Philadelphia Phillies traded Triple-A shortstop Ryne Sandberg and veteran shortstop Larry Bowa to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for shortstop Ivan DeJesus. Then 36-years-old, Bowa would last three seasons in Chicago while the younger DeJesus continued his slide into mediocrity and was out of Philadephia three years later.

Sandberg, well he spent one season at third base before sliding over and becoming a perennial Gold Glove winner and All-Star, a MVP in 1984, and a Hall of Famer at second base for the Cubs.

Bowa would return to Philadelphia in 2001, winning National League Manager of the Year award with the Phillies, and would serve in the role through 2004 before being dismissed. Sandberg, returned to Phillies organization prior to the 2011 season, serving as manager for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He would then become third base coach and infield instructor for the Phillies for the 2013 season. When Charlie Manuel was dismissed on August 16th of last season, Sandberg was tapped as the interim manager.

Now in the full-time gig for Philly, Sandberg has some coaching roles to fill on his staff. His first choice for bench coach? None other than Larry Bowa.

According to Cash Kruth at MLB.com, the Phillies have added Bowa (bench coach) and Pete Mackanin (third base coach) to his coaching staff for the 2014 season.

Mackanin had previously served as bench coach for the Phillies from 2009 to 2012, but the Phillies opted not to renew his contract after the season.

The addition of both Bowa and Mackanin provide the Phillies, and by extension Sandberg, with a strong, veteran coaching presence that is familiar with the organization and its players.

The new group will seek to help the Phillies recover from a season that saw them stumble to a 73-89 record, 23 games behind the division-winning Atlanta Braves.