phrustrated philly phan

I read many Phillies blogs everyday to get a feel of how the phans are responding to events. The biggest thing this week in the world of Phillies is the hiring of three new coaches. The response seems mixed and at best lukewarm. There have been many negatives listed including jockeying for Charlie Manuel's job, the jobs should have been given to younger coaches, Pat Gillick pushed these hires on Manuel, and a clear replacement for Manuel.

First, there seems to be a concern that Jimy Williams, Art Howe, and Davey Lopes will all be trying to steal Charlie's job. I don't buy it. All their comments were positive towards Manuel and working within the framework of the coaching staff. Jimy Williams is getting older and may not ever be a skipper again. He may finish his career like Don Zimmer. Williams is very good strategically and will run spring training forcing the players to focus on fundamentals. I'm am sure Art Howe is looking for another managing job sometime but has been out of baseball for 2 years and trying to steal Manuel's job would not make a good impression with future employers. I am not concerned at all about Lopes. He is a realist and knows that he will probably never be the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. I feel that this staff will work hard and together following the lead of Charlie Manuel to help the Phillies reach the postseason.

Second, people have pointed out that these hires present a clear replacement or at least interim replacement when Manuel gets canned. Any of the three could fill-in in a pinch as an interim manager. Some fans have hoped that the Phillies struggle out of the gate so that one of these three will replace Manuel. That is a terrible prayer. The Phillies need to win early and often next season. These changes were made to help Manuel succeed not to have a replacement in line. Also even with all these former managers on the staff, I still believe the Phillies next manager will come from outside the organization or the minor leagues. I believe John Russell still has a good chance, but other than that I see Gillick bringing in someone from the outside.

Third, many fans were hoping for former Phillie, Juan Samuel, and Triple A manager, John Russell. Although those two may be good coaches, youth is not what Manuel needs next to him on the bench. He needs proven managers that provide experience that he can draw on. Gillick alluded to that in his statement. Imagine if the Phillies would have hired young and inexperienced coaches, the fans would have clamored for experience and now that is what we got and not everyone is happy.

The last complaint is that Pat Gillick pushed these changes on Charlie Manuel. Both have stated the final decision was Manuel's and no one elses. Yes the interviews were conducted with many front offices executives present but for once can we take a GM at his word. Gillick said the decision was made by Manuel. It was also Manuel who went to Gillick with the idea of improving his staff. Everyone makes fun of Manuel for being "dumb" but that claim is not entirely true. Yes he struggles with his X's and O's but he knows what is going on around him. He knows his job is on the line and by improving his staff it increases the chances of him sticking around for the whole year. Manuel is great with the players and his new coaches should provide more focus on fundamental and help the team get off to a hot start.

I see no reason any Phillies fan should be upset or against these hires. These are inspired and smart hires by Charlie Manuel. Everyone from Charlie to the players to the fans should benefit from Jimy Williams, Art Howe, and Davey Lopes being on the staff. Lets take Gillick and Manuel at their word. Lets listen to their statements and not read into them. Lets understand that there was no unstated intentions and lets be positive for the moment and realize the benefit that this brings to the Phillies.