Schmidt, Phils say they're eager to extend long relationship

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Since he walked away from the game in May 1989, Mike Schmidt has yearned for something that would duplicate the joy he found playing baseball.

He tried broadcasting. He tried golf. He traveled.

Wasn't it.

"I haven't felt a lot of substance in my life," he said. "Every day, it's like what can Mike Schmidt do for the pleasure and gratification of Mike Schmidt?"

Now, thanks to a nudge from old friend Larry Bowa and a plea from his former team, the greatest player in Phillies' history has finally found what he was looking for.

Right at home -- and home plate -- with the club that all but shunned him for a dozen years.

Having finished his 11-day stay as the Phillies' special spring training hitting coach, the Hall of Famer is eagerly looking forward to a much bigger role with the franchise he led to its only World Series championship in 1980.

"I'm about 100 percent sure we're going to have that relationship," Schmidt said Tuesday.

Phillies general manager Ed Wade and Schmidt, 52, talked about details of a meatier position shortly before the former third baseman packed away his No. 20 jersey and pulled out of the parking space with his name on it.

"We discussed how to make this more of a full-time thing," Wade said.

Not so uncommon

Many teams have such arrangements with their great players of the past.

Tom Seaver works with the New York Mets; Carlton Fisk is part of the Boston Red Sox; Nolan Ryan is on call with Texas Rangers; and the New York Yankees lean on Don Mattingly and Yogi Berra.

Often, such jobs involve helping the major league players, looking over the minor leaguers, advising the front office and community service work.

"That's the kind of package we talked about," Wade said.

Bowa, the Phillies' second-year manager and Schmidt's longtime teammate, sounded hopeful.

"I'm not sure whether it's officially been offered, but we're going to offer Mike a continuing role," he said. "It's important for an organization to include players of Mike's stature and draw on their knowledge."

Said Schmidt: "A permanent relationship? Yeah, I could see that."

Phillies fans would certainly love to see it. The still-trim star drew cheers of 'Yo, Schmitty!' at cozy Jack Russell Stadium and signed his share of autographs.