NEW YORK -- Larry Bowa knows the Phillies and their fans better than anybody. After all, this is his fourth tour through the organization as a player, third-base coach, manager and now bench coach under his buddy, Ryne Sandberg.
The Phillies, at 25-47, have the worst record in Major League Baseball, and the fans are howling in disapproval. Right now, Bowa doesn't know whether Sandberg will be back next year to serve out the final season on a three-year contract or whether even Bowa will be asked to return. This is the back end of his own two-year deal.