The Phillies have invited seven alumni to participate in spring training as guest instructors, the club announced today. Together, the group of former players combined for 20 All-Star selections, 26 Gold Gloves, six Silver Slugger Awards and three MVP Awards.
Manager Pete Mackanin and his coaching staff will intermittently be assisted by Larry Andersen, Dave Hollins, Jim Kaat, Greg Luzinski, Charlie Manuel, Matt Stairs and Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt. That group represents the 1980 World Champions, the 1983 National League Champions, the 1993 NL Champions, the 2008 World Champions and the 2009 NL Champions.
Andersen, Hollins, Luzinski, Manuel and Schmidt have assisted in past spring training camps while 2016 will mark the first time Kaat and Stairs are back in a Phillies uniform. Stairs was a member of the 2008 World Champion Phillies while Kaat spent four seasons (1976-79) in Philadelphia, where he won two of his 16 Gold Glove Awards.
"We are really happy with the guest instructor staff coming to camp this year," said Mackanin. "They'll be there to assist our coaches where necessary and share some of their wisdom and experience with our young players."
The remaining members of the spring training instructional staff are the major league coaching staff of Larry Bowa (bench), Steve Henderson (hitting), Rick Kranitz (bullpen), Bob McClure (pitching), John McLaren (catching), Mickey Morandini (first base), Juan Samuel (third base) and Jesus Tiamo (bullpen catcher); the triple-A staff of Dave Brundage (manager), Sal Rende (coach) and Dave Lundquist (pitching coach); double-A manager Dusty Wathan; minor league coordinators Andy Abad (outfield/baserunning), Rafael Chaves (pitching), Doug Mansolino (field), Andy Tracy (hitting), Chris Truby (infield) and Ernie Whitt (catching); and player development staff members Carlos Arroyo and Jorge Velandia.
The first workout for pitchers and catchers at the Phillies' spring training complex in Clearwater, Fla., is scheduled for February 18 with full-squad workouts slated to begin on February 23.