2013 Topps Archives #226 Larry Bowa

The Phillies welcomed Larry Bowa back to the organization yesterday, and I couldn't be happier.  I've always been a fan of Bowa's, and I was among the few who didn't think he should have been fired as the team's manager with a few games left in the 2004 season.  Bowa, who was traded to the Cubs with manager Ryne Sandberg back in 1982, joins Sandberg's staff as his bench coach.  Before managing the Phillies from 2001 to 2004, Bowa had served as the team's third base coach from 1988 to 1996.  (As an aside, how cool would it be if Sandberg also added Ivan DeJesus to his staff in some capacity?)

The Phils also announced that Pete Mackanin would be returning as the team's third base coach.  Mackanin was a coach with the Phils from 2009 to 2012 and spent last season as a scout for the Yankees.  Not returning for 2014 are long-time coach Mick Billmeyer and assistant hitting coach Wally Joyner.  I'll have more on Mackanin, Billmeyer and Joyner in future posts.

Similar to what I did for Phillies pitching coaches over the past 40 years, and for no other reason than these types of lists interest me, I wanted to compile a list of Phillies bench coaches.  As far as I can tell, using the team's media guides and yearbooks, the first official bench coach/dugout assistant was Bobby Wine in 1979.  Charlie Manuel opted not to have an official bench coach in 2013, moving Billmeyer to the dugout and giving him the title of catching coach.

Bobby Wine 1979-1983
John Felske 1984
Lee Elia 1985-1987
John Vukovich 1988-1989; 1992-1996
Hal Lanier 1990-1991
Chuck Cottier 1997-2000
Greg Gross 2001
Gary Varsho 2002-2006
Jimy Williams 2007-2008
Pete Mackanin 2009-2012
Larry Bowa 2014