Philly Sports Jabronis
By Todd Zolecki, Phillies.com
The Phillies have found their new pitching coach.
More than seven weeks after the Phils told Rich Dubee he would not be back next season, they announced on Thursday afternoon that they have hired Bob McClure.
“Bob brings a wealth of experience to our staff,” manager Ryne Sandberg said in a statement. “We talked to many good candidates and couldn’t be more pleased to add Mac as our pitching coach.”
The Phillies also announced Rod Nichols will return as bullpen coach and Jesus Tiamo will return as bullpen catcher.
The Phils interviewed at least 12 candidates and previously offered the job to Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell and Pirates special assistant to the general manager Jim Benedict. Both declined. They also interviewed Randy St. Claire, Rafael Chaves, Carl Willis, Pete Vuckovich, Nichols, Reid Cornelius, Ray Burris, Neil Allen and Jeff Pico.
McClure, 61, pitched 19 seasons in the big leagues with the Royals, Brewers, Expos, Mets, Angels, Cardinals and Marlins. He was the Royals’ pitching coach from 2006-11 and the Red Sox’s pitching coach in 2012, although he did not last the season because of differences with former manager Bobby Valentine.
The Phillies still plan on hiring somebody to replace assistant hitting coach Wally Joyner, who left the organization in October and returned a couple of weeks later, only to leave again recently to be the Tigers’ head hitting coach.
