CLEARWATER, Fla. - Two things you notice quickly upon arrival at the Phillies' spring training complex: There are a ton of ex-managers here, and a ton of catchers and ex-catchers, too. On any given sun-splashed morning, you are likely to see Charlie Manuel and Larry Bowa in animated storytelling on the infield grass, waiting for the players to arrive; Juan Samuel involved in some detail work as well; Ernie Whitt down by the batting cage.
A roving instructor with the Phillies, Whitt's an ex-catcher and, after Canada's elimination from the World Baseball Classic, an ex-manager, too.