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Ryne Sandberg to coach 3B for Phillies in 2013

Ryne Sandberg will be the Philadelphia Phillies' next third-base coach, leading to speculation that he will succeed Charlie Manuel as the team's manager. He was previously coach of the team's Triple-A affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.

By Rodger Sherman
Al Messerschmidt - Getty Images

Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg could be next in line for the Philadelphia Phillies managerial job, as he's been promoted from his Triple-A job with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs to the third base coach job for the big league club for next season.

Sandberg came to the Phillies organization – the team he debuted for in 1981 – after the 2010 season when he was passed over for the Chicago Cubs manager's gig after managing several of their minor league clubs. His first season with the IronPigs saw the team make the playoffs for the first time and eventually find their way to the International League championship series, earning Sandberg Baseball America's 2011 Manager of the Year award.

This is Sandberg's first big-league coaching gig. There's talk that Sandberg could potentially replace Charlie Manuel when the 68-year-old decides its his time to retire. Manuel's contract expires after next season.

Sandberg replaces Sam Perlozzo, the former Baltimore Orioles manager. Perlozzo was dismissed on Oct. 3.