Philadelphia Daily News from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 56

SPORTS Bob McClure BY ED BARKOWITZ barkowephillynews.com Twitter: EdBarkowitz BIG SHOT In a 1991 poll of managers conducted by Baseball Digest, McClure was voted to have the game's best pickoff move. Phillies pitchers had nine pickoffs last year, tied for eighth in the 16-team National League. ABOUT THIS SERIES Each day this week, the Daily News will look at what's new with the 2014 Phillies. Monday: A.J. Burnett Tuesday: Marlon Byrd Wednesday: Bob McClure Thursday: Roberto Hernandez Friday: Jamie MoyerMatt Stairs BIO Robert Craig McClure Position: Pitching coach.

Age: 61. Born: April 29, 1952, in Oakland. When hired: Nov. 21, 2013. His predecessor: Rich Dubee, who held the position from 2005-13.

Dubee is now the minor league pitching coordinator for the Atlanta Braves 'PEN STATE One of Bob McClure's primary jobs will be fixing a Phillies bullpen that ranked among the worst in a number of categories last year. Here's a sampling of what he's up against: FAST FACTS McClure's previous job was pitching coach for the 2012 Red Sox. He was fired Aug. 20 that year after constantly clashing with manager Bobby Valentine as Boston endured its only losing season of the millennium. Spent six seasons as the Royals pitching coach (2006-11) where he mentored 2009 Cy Young winner Zack Greinke and helped closer Joakim Soria become an All-Star.

McClure pitched 19 seasons in the big leagues from 1975-93, mostly as a reliever. He had his best seasons in Milwaukee and helped the Brewers win the 1982 American League pennant. A starter for most of 1982, McClure was moved to the bullpen in the postseason. He had two saves in the World Series, but took the loss in Game 7 when Keith Hernandez singled in the game-winning runs in the sixth inning. McClure and Hernandez were Little League teammates in San Mateo (Calif.) County.

Darrell Porter, the Series MVP, was involved in a 1976 trade that included McClure. Married (Shirley) with five children, including 2-year-old twins Brock and Teddy. When the twins are 18, McClure will be 77. The Phillies interviewed a number of other candidates (Roger McDowell, Bryan Price, Randy St. Claire, among others) before hiring McClure.

Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg was 3-for-8 (.375) in his career against McClure. McClure pitched in the majors until he was 41, which led Brewers play-by-play man Bob Uecker to observe, "If you were righthanded, you'd have been digging ditches 10 years ago." jj ERA 4.19 27th Batting Avg. .259 28th Home runs 46 14th On-base pet. .344 29th Slugging .397 26th OPS .741 28th Walks 227 29th Hits 470 20th WHIP 1.47 29th Note: Rank is out of 30 teams. is on-base percentage plus slugging WHIP is walks plus hits per inning pitched.

DAVID MAIALETTI STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Bob McClure is the Phillies' new pitching coach. PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS PhillyDailyNews.com Wednesday, February 19, 2014 Page 56.