Larry Bowa re-joins Philadelphia Phillies as bench coach

Just weeks after the interim tag was removed from Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg, CSN Philly’s Jim Salisbury reports that Larry Bowa re-joined the Phillies franchise as the team’s bench coach.  Sandberg and Bowa have a history as players in “The City of Brotherly Love”, serving as double play mates with Bowa at shortstop and Sandberg at second base in the red and white pinstripes.

Bowa has a long history with the Phillies, both as a player and a manager. As a player, Bowa spent twelve years in Philly, racking up 1,798 hits, five All-Star appearances, and two Gold Gloves. In addition, the superstar shortstop finished third in the National League MVP voting in 1978.

In his four years as Phillies manager from 2001-2004, Bowa managed a 337-308 record. The team failed two win the National League East division under his watch, as they finished second twice and third twice. Scott Rolen and the former Phillies manager had a public war, making it very clear that the two did not see eye to eye. This was just one of the factors, along with the lack of postseason appearances that led to the dismissal of Bowa.

This will be Bowa’s fourth stint with the Phillies in some capacity. Before becoming the team’s manager, he spent part of the 90’s as the third base coach.