In a press release from the Phillies:
Former Phillie Juan Samuel has re-joined the team as the major league third base coach and outfield instructor, Manager Charlie Manuel announced today. Samuel joins returning coaches Mick Billmeyer (bullpen), Rich Dubee (pitching), Greg Gross (hitting), Pete Mackanin (bench) and Sam Perlozzo, who will shift to first base coaching duties for the 2011 season, as well as oversee the team’s baserunning instruction.
Samuel, 49, spent the previous four seasons (2007-10) as third base coach for the Baltimore Orioles, including a stint this past summer as interim managerfollowing the dismissal of Dave Trembley. The Orioles went 17-34 under Samuel. Prior to his time in Baltimore, he was a first and third base coach with theDetroit Tigers for seven years (1999-2005), a position he was hired for immediately following his 16-year playing career (1983-98).
“I feel fortunate that we were able to add someone of Juan’s stature to our coaching staff,” said Manuel. “He was a tremendous major league player and a big part of Phillies history and I’m looking forward to him passing on his knowledge of the game to our players. He’s a great addition to our organization.”
A three-time National League All-Star, Samuel played seven seasons with the Phillies (1983-89) and, in 2008, was enshrined on the club’s Wall of Fame. In 1984, he was The Sporting News Rookie of the Year, when he led the NL in triples (19) and finished second with 72 stolen bases.
For his career, Samuel batted .259 with 161 home runs, 703 RBI and 396 stolen bases in 1,720 games for the Phillies, New York Mets (1989), Los Angeles Dodgers (1990-92), Kansas City Royals (1992, 1995), Cincinnati Reds (1993), Tigers (1994-95) and Toronto Blue Jays (1996-98). Primarily a second baseman during his career, Samuel appeared in 267 career games in the outfield: 197 in center field, 40 in right and 34 in left.
Samuel becomes the 34th man in Phillies history to both play and coach for the team.
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