PHILADELPHIA (AP) The Phillies have hired former manager Charlie Manuel to replace John Mallee as hitting coach.
Manuel was working as senior adviser to the general manager. The Phillies announced Tuesday that he would assume his new position for the remainder of the season.
Manuel led the Phillies to five straight division titles, two NL pennants and the franchise’s second World Series championship, in 2008.
His 780 wins as Philadelphia’s manager are the most in team history. He was 1,000-826 in nine seasons as manager of the Phillies and three seasons managing the Cleveland Indians.
The 75-year-old Manuel previously served as hitting coach for the Indians from 1988-89 and 1994-99.
The Phillies are fourth in the NL East at 60-58 but only two games out of the second wild-card spot.
Their offense has underperformed despite the addition of slugger Bryce Harper, All-Star J.T. Realmuto, two-time All-Star Jean Segura and former 2013 MVP Andrew McCutchen, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in June.
The Phillies are 19th in runs, 24th in batting average (.245) and 23rd in home runs (149).
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