Phillies: Larry Bowa named Senior Adviser to the general manager

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 20: Bench coach Larry Bowa
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 20: Bench coach Larry Bowa

Earlier Friday, Larry Bowa, who previously served as the Phillies bench coach, is remaining with the Phillies as a senior adviser to General Manager Matt Klentak.

In the midst of a managerial search, with Bowa being one of the candidates, it’s clear now he’s ruled out as the next manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Bowa spent the last four seasons with the Phillies as their bench coach – under both Pete Mackanin, and Ryne Sandberg.

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“Larry Bowa is a genuine Phillies icon and he has made enormous contributions to this franchise during his 33 years in uniform,” General Manager Matt Klentak in a press release. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for what Larry has accomplished throughout his baseball career and I am thrilled that he has agreed to continue to impact the organization in this new role.”

In his new role, he has the duties of helping Klentak when it comes to baseball operations. His new role is similar to Mackanin, who was appointed the special assistant to the GM following his termination as the team’s manager.

Now, the Phillies have two vacant spots on their coaching staff – manager and now bench coach. It’s going to be a long road of searching for the right person to take over as the bench coach.

Bench coach hiring is not expected to take place until the Phillies hire their manager, as Klentak made clear that the new manager will make changes to his coaching staff as he sees fit in a press conference announcing Mackanin’s departure.

Next: More manager candidates emerge

Bowa, 71, had served as the bench coach since the 2014 season. Previously, he managed the Phillies for four years, starting in the 2001 season and ending in the 2004 season in the first full season in Citizens Bank Park.