Phillies Baseball

The 2008 World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies made two changes on Tuesday and Wednesday as they prepare for the 2009 season.

Manager Charlie Manuel informed third base coach Steve Smith on Tuesday that he will not be coming back to the organization in 2009. Smith also served as the infielder instructor.

Smith was hired prior to the 2007 season to replace Art Howe, who was hired prior to the 2007 season but before coaching in one game for the Phillies, decided to take the bench coach’s job for the Texas Rangers.

There were rumors from the Phillies clubhouse that Manuel was not pleased with Smith’s performance as third base coach or infield instructor as well as players not being able to get in sync with the coach either.

The rest of the coaching staff will be asked to return for the 2009 season. This was the only change to Manuel’s coaching staff made in the previous two seasons.

The other move made by the club on Wednesday was the release of outfielder So Taguchi, which was more of a formality, since the team informed Taguchi last week that they would not pick up his club option for 2009.

Taguchi has won the World Series with the Cardinals in 2006 and now the Phillies in 2008.

Other news of the day is that Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino were awarded Gold Gloves for their impressive defensive play in the field for 2008. It is Rollins’ second consecutive Gold Glove (second overall) and Victorino’s first overall.