The Philadelphia Phillies filled out their coaching staff Monday, hiring three former major league managers.
Art Howe, Davey Lopes and Jimy Williams each signed a one-year contract to join manager Charlie Manuel's staff.
Two days after the Phillies finished 85-77 and narrowly missed the playoffs for the second straight year, the team didn't renew the contracts of first-base coach Marc Bombard, third-base coach Bill Dancy and bench coach Gary Varsho.
Williams, 63, returns to coaching for the first time since 1996 as Manuel's bench coach. He spent the past season as a roving instructor with Tampa Bay.
Williams managed Toronto (1986-'89), Boston (1997-2001) and Houston (2002-'04), compiling a record of 910-790. He also had a stint as Atlanta's third-base coach (1990-96).
Howe, 59, was named the third-base coach and infield instructor. He managed the New York Mets (2003-04), Oakland (1996-2002) and Houston (1989-93), compiling a record of 1,129-1,137. Howe served as first-base, third-base and dugout coach for Texas (1985-88) and was Colorado's hitting instructor in 1995.
Lopes, 61, will be the first-base coach and outfield-baserunning instructor, two roles he held last season with the Washington Nationals.
Lopes spent parts of three seasons managing Milwaukee (2000-'02), finishing with a record of 144-195. He also had two separate stints as a coach for San Diego (1995-99 and 2003-2005), Baltimore (1992-'94) and Texas (1988-'91).
``We've added three guys with a tremendous amount of experience,'' said Manuel, who enters the final season of a three-year contract. ``I expect them to have a very positive effect on our team.''
Howe played 11 seasons in the majors with Pittsburgh (1974-'75), Houston (1976-'82) and St. Louis (1984-'85). He batted .260 with 43 homers while playing all four infield positions.
Lopes spent 16 years in the majors with Los Angeles (1972-'81), Oakland (1982-'84), the Chicago Cubs (1984-'86) and Houston (1986-'87). He finished his career with a .263 average, 155 homers, 614 RBIs and 557 steals. A four-time all-star (1978-'81), Lopes played in four World Series and won a Gold Glove at second base in 1978.
Williams, a former infielder, had a brief playing career, appearing in 14 games over the 1966-'67 seasons with St. Louis.
The Phillies previously extended the contracts of pitching coach Rich Dubee, hitting coach Milt Thompson, bullpen coach Ramon Henderson and catching instructor Mick Billmeyer.
