Philly Sports Jabronis
By Todd Zolecki, phillies.com
Rich Dubee will not be back as Phillies pitching coach next season.
The Phillies announced Monday morning they will not renew his contract. Dubee had been pitching coach nine seasons, which is tied with Cy Perkins (1946-54) and Ray Rippelmeyer (1970-78) for the longest run in that position in franchise history.
The Phillies could make more coaching-staff changes, although they said those announcements could come at a later date.
“Rich was a big part of a wonderful era here and in his nine years he served our organization very well,” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement. “We believe it is time for change as we move forward. We thank Rich for his professionalism and contribution to the Phillies.”
Dubee’s fate seemed set the moment the organization dismissed Charlie Manuel on Aug. 16. Dubee knows how the business works, and he probably figured new manager Ryne Sandberg wanted his own man in that spot.
“I’ve been fired [in the past],” Dubee said last month. “Life goes on, unfortunately. You don’t like to see it, but it’s been a heck of a run. Between watching [Roy Halladay] pitch in a playoff game and Jamie Moyer win a World Series, 102 wins [in 2011] — there are a lot of highlights that Charlie’s had here that are very special, and we’ve spent them together. Those are special moments.”
Asked then about his future, he said, “I want to be in the big leagues, that’s for sure. I’d like to coach a few more years in the big leagues. I didn’t think I’d be here for eight-plus, so you never know what’s going to happen.”
The Phillies and Mets tied for sixth in the National League with a 4.06 ERA during Dubee’s nine-year run. He has worked with Cy Young Award winners, All-Stars, journeymen and no-namers.
“If you look at the players we’ve had pitching-wise, if we got them from somebody, how they were doing before they got here and how they pitched here,” Dubee said. “If we had them, how they pitched here and how they pitched when they went somewhere else, I think I’ve had a pretty good run of helping guys be successful. Part of that is having good talent. I’ve been very fortunate to have good talent, young and old.”
Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
