Phillies first base coach Davey Lopes will not return to the Phillies in 2011. It ends Lopes’ four-year tenure as the Phillies first base coach that started in 2007.
The reason for this was because the Phils and Lopes could not agree on terms of salary for the one-year contract for the 65-year old.
“We just had a difference of opinion on what I felt my worth was,” Lopes said by telephone. “That’s all. It was a really tough decision because I loved my time in Philadelphia, I loved working for [manager] Charlie Manuel, and I have the utmost respect for everyone in that organization.
“I got more enjoyment out of winning that World Series in 2008 than I did the one I won with the Dodgers as a player. I can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed my time in Philadelphia. I am really going to miss the atmosphere and the passion. The fans were great to me. I went from being a bad guy, a Dodger, to someone they really embraced. I really appreciate that.”
This is pretty crappy news because Lopes was one of the biggest keys to the Phillies base-running success in the past four postseason seasons. It’s going to be interesting to see how the Phils replace Lopes.
TTB 