Phillies Hire Bob McClure as Pitching Coach

The Phillies have hired Bob McClure as the major league pitching coach, Manager Ryne Sandberg announced today.  Additionally, Rod Nichols has been retained as the bullpen coach and Jesus Tiamo will return as the bullpen catcher.

McClure, 61, has seven years of experience as a major league pitching coach.  He served in that role for the Boston Red Sox in 2012 and the six seasons (2006-11) prior to that with the Kansas City Royals.  He also spent one season as the Florida Marlins bullpen coach in 1994.  In between his major league assignments, McClure worked as a pitching coach in the Colorado Rockies player development system for seven years (1999-2005), three years at single-A Salem and four at triple-A Colorado Springs.

“Bob brings a wealth of experience to our staff,” said Sandberg.  “We talked to many good candidates and couldn’t be more pleased to add ‘Mac’ as our pitching coach.”

A former left-handed pitcher, McClure spent 19 years (1975-93) in the major leagues.  He appeared in 698 games (73 starts) and went 68-57 with 52 saves and a 3.81 ERA for the Royals (1975-76), Milwaukee Brewers (1977-86), Montreal Expos (1986-88), New York Mets (1988), California Angels (1989-91), St. Louis Cardinals (1991-92) and Marlins (1993).  He was a member of the 1982 American League champion Brewers, earning two saves in the World Series.

Nichols, 48, returns for his second season as bullpen coach and 15^th, overall, with the Phillies organization.  Tiamo, 52, has spent the last five seasons in his current position on the major league staff.