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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Phillies promote Sandberg to third-base coach

Baseball: Ryne Sandberg is back in the big leagues.

The Philadelphia Phillies promoted the Hall of Fame second baseman to their coaching staff as third-base coach and infield instructor.

Sandberg (North Central High) had spent the past two seasons managing Philadelphia’s Triple-A affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

The move came a day after the Phillies fired first-base coach Sam Perlozzo and bench coach Pete Mackanin, a former player with the Spokane Indians.

With Sandberg already in the dugout and Charlie Manuel entering the final season of his contract, the natural assumption is that the Phillies have already lined up their next manager.

“The fact of the matter is he’s not the heir apparent. We made no promises to Ryne Sandberg,” general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Thursday.

Sandberg began his career with the Phillies in 1981. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs before the 1982 season.

Sandberg was the 1984 N.L. MVP, made 10 All-Star teams and was enshrined in Cooperstown in 2005.

Associated Press