Huppert may head to Phils Class A

11/12/2005
WASHINGTON -- Nationals third-base coach Dave Huppert is close to joining the Phillies organization as the manager of Class A Lakewood.
Huppert is one of three coaches on the Nationals -- hitting coach Tom McCraw and first-base coach Don Buford were the others -- who were often criticized for their work on the field. Huppert was accused of not being aggressive enough, but he felt he did a good job.
"I could have been more aggressive, but not much more. I don't think we had the speed," Huppert said on Saturday. "We hit [.252] as a team and I didn't want to give up many opportunities. I only had seven guys thrown out at the plate for the year -- and the ones I held up, 14 of them didn't score. I did as good a job as I could do. We didn't get a lot of big hits."
Huppert said he would like to stay with the Nationals and work for manager Frank Robinson for a second season, but feels that general manager Jim Bowden "is not excited about [his] coming back" and is prepared to go back to managing in the Minor Leagues.
Huppert managed three seasons in the Expos organization as well as having managerial stints in the Marlins, White Sox and Brewers organizations.
"I look forward [to managing in Class A], if that's where I have to go. In Lakewood, I hear it's a nice place to manage," Huppert said. "You're goal is to always be in the big leagues, but if I have to go to the Minor Leagues, managing is what I want to do. Sometime next week, [the Phillies are] going to announce it. I haven't signed a contract yet."
Robinson, who still doesn't know his status, said a couple of weeks ago that he was pleased with the way Huppert handled himself at the third-base coaching lines.
"Dave Huppert had to familiarize himself with the players on our ballclub -- know their strengths and weaknesses as far as running the bases," Robinson said. "He had to get to know every defensive player on the other ballclubs. ... That takes time, and I can't emphasize that enough. Most clubs don't take infield. We get no idea what they can or can't do. Scouting reports can tell you, but seeing is the best way to do that. Was I completely happy with Huppert? No, because he had to get used to me and I had to get used to him. I was very pleased with the way he handled himself, overall, during the season. If he comes back, he would be only better the second time around."

Source: http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/