Phillies Announce Spring Training Guest Instructors
By Matt Veasey
The Philadelphia Phillies announced this afternoon that eight greats from the organization’s past will show up at various stages of spring training to assist manager Ryne Sandberg and his staff.
The eight guest instructors are former pitchers Roy Halladay, Larry Andersen, and Dan Plesac, outfielders Greg Luzinski and Aaron Rowand, 3rd basemen Mike Schmidt and Dave Hollins, and former manager Charlie Manuel.
“We are thrilled with the group of guys we were able to assemble and that their schedules will allow them to spend time with our players and impart their knowledge.” ~ GM Ruben Amaro Jr
While the other six have previously been instructors with the Phillies during the spring, this will mark the first year that both Rowand and Plesac are returning to wear the red pinstripes.
Plesac was an 18-year MLB veteran who closed out his career with a pair of seasons out of the Phillies bullpen in 2002 and 2003. He is currently one of the most popular regular panelists and broadcasters for the MLB Network.
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Rowand was a gamer in centerfield for the Phillies during the 2006-07 seasons after helping lead the Chicago White Sox to the 2005 World Series championship. The 11-year MLB veteran endeared himself to fans, and caused a change to the Citizens Bank Park outfield wall, when he crashed into the fence head-first to make a catch in 2006 against the Mets.
Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Clearwater, Florida for the opening of Phillies 2015 spring training on Thursday, February 19th, with the full squad slated to report no later than Tuesday, February 24th.
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