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Wes Helms, image- Jay Floyd Former big league third baseman/first baseman Wes Helms took the dive into professional coaching this season as a coach in the Phillies organization for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. The 42-year-old owns a .256 career average with 75 homers and 374 RBI in 13 season in the majors. With big league playing time for four organizations, Helms got to play with, against and for some legendary names.  I talked with Helms recently about which coaches inspired him, his path to a second career in professional baseball, which former Phillies teammates he keeps in touch with, his large souvenir collection and much more.  Read ahead for that full interview.  -You're new to this club this year and it's your first coaching in the Phillies' system.  What was your coaching background prior to taking this role? My last year playing was 2011.  I promised my wife I'd be home until my youngest got in school full time.  I waited til...

On Thursday, the Phillies announced their minor league coaching staff for the 2018 season, including a few big additions.   At the top of the developmental levels, Gary Jones has been hired as the manager of the Phils’ Triple-A affiliate the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.  Jones, 57, spent the previous four seasons as the third base coach for the Cubs.  He has also coaches in the A’s, Padres and Red Sox organizations. Jones makes the third individual that the Phillies have hired away from the 2016 World Series champions this off-season.  John Mallee, the team's new hitting coach at the big league level, held that position with the Cubs for the previous three seasons and new first base coach Jose Flores served as Chicago's minor league field coordinator (virtually a second-in-command of the minors) for a handful of seasons.     Former Phillies infielder Wes Helms will also be added to the IronPigs’ staff as a coach.  Hitting coach Sal R...

The Phillies are 2008 NL East Division Champions! Maybe you've heard that already, though. Phormer Phillie Wes Helms hit a homerun on Sunday, for the Marlins, that ended the Metropolitans' season. I like it when that happens. Brett Myers promised that the Phillies will not go "3 and out" this post season. I would like it if that happened. TBS and/or MLB have switched the Phillies game 2 of the division series to a 6pm start time on Thursday. Wednesday's game one is slated for 3pm. No huge pep rally in center city for the Phillies this year. Out of respect for Philadelphia police officer, Patrick McDonald, who was killed last week while on duty, the Phillies have elected to not burden the police dept. with additional duties this week. McDonald's wake and funeral will take place Monday and Tuesday. A smaller event will take place beginning 3 hours prior to game 1, on Citizens Bank Way. Details are forthcoming.