Bob McClure Hired as Phillies Pitching Coach

Image Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Believe it or not, the Phillies have actually hired someone to serve as their pitching coach for the 2014 season.  According to CSN Philly’s Jim Salisbury, the Phillies have come to an agreement with coaching veteran Bob McClure.

Rich Dubee was fired as the Phillies pitching coach almost two months ago, and the Phillies were apparently in no hurry to find his replacement.  Or perhaps they were in a hurry, only their top choices kept turning them down.  Combined with the recent departure of hitting coach Wally Joyner, it is a bit curious that these coaches keep choosing to go elsewhere.

McClure had an 18 year playing career, before moving into coaching in 1999.  After a few years in the Colorado Rockies organization, he spent six years as the Kansas City Royals’ pitching coach.  Most recently, he served as the Boston Red Sox pitching coach in 2012, but that job did not exactly end well for McClure.

If the Phillies want to succeed in 2014, then it is imperative that McClure improve the performance of the Phillies pitching staff.  What was once the best pitching staff in baseball became an absolute mess in 2013.