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Who on the 2015 Phillies would you most like to see return in 2016? Did you say "Maikel Franco?" Good. Because anyone who said "assistant hitting coach John Mizerock" and "bullpen coach Rod Nichols" is going to be very upset by this next paragraph.
#Phillies announce coaching staff decisions for next year: pic.twitter.com/wgJI83RvO0
— Stephen Gross (@SteveGrossMCall) October 4, 2015
Fist-pumping, hand-slapping expert John Mizerock will no longer be manning third base as the Phillies attempt to retake the NL East in 2016. The Punxsutawney-born 54-year-old had been brought on as the Clearwater Threshers' hitting coach in 2011.
Two years later, the big club snatched him up to assist with hitting and coaching the catchers. He took over writing the lineup card when Pete Mackanin's managerial duties made him unavailable for calligraphy. The outcry over Mizerock's handwriting is likely the reason behind his departure.
He holds the distinct title of being denied a high-five from Jeff Francoeur.
Sorry, John Mizerock. #phillies #mlb https://t.co/peC3H4BfT5
— Harrison Tishler (@phiballhawk) June 17, 2015
The Phillies gave Rod Nichols his first job in Major League Baseball in 2012 as their bullpen coach. However, the 50-year-old had been serving in a coaching role through their farm system as far back as 2002 with the Reading Phillies, Scranton Wilkes-Barre Red Barons, Ottawa Lynx, and Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
And as I said, all other coaches have been invited back, including Larry Bowa, so we can look forward to having all of our "What the hell is wrong with Larry Bowa" conversations all over again.