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5 Potential Former Phillies That Could Become Next Manager

By Andrew Porter

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- It's Wednesday, a couple of days before the start of the July 4th holiday weekend. Let's have some fun, shall we?

With Ryne Sandberg recently resigning as Phillies manager, the franchise (who will go with interim manager Pete Mackanin for the rest of this season) is expected to eventually hire a replacement.

And who's more fun than a former player? They're young, hungry, and haven't failed elsewhere.

Here are five potential former Phillies that could, kind of, maybe, become the next manager.

5. Chase Utley

Chase Utley
ATLANTA, GA - MAY 05: Second baseman Chase Utley #26 of the Philadelphia Phillies sits out of the game against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on May 5, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

While Utley isn't a former player (yet), let's be proactive here. Maybe as a player manager for 2016? Don't leave us Chase!

4. Pat Burrell

Philadelphia Phillies World Series Victory Parade
(Photo by Jeff Fusco/Getty Images)

The most fun and ridiculous choice, but think about it. Think about it.

3. David Bell

Philadelphia Philli v New York Mets
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK - MAY 25: David Bell #25 of the Philadelphia Phillies dives, but does not catch, a single hit by Jose Reyes of the New York Mets in the fourth inning at Shea Stadium on May 25, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Bell, 42, is currently the bench coach for the St. Louis Cardinals and was formerly the manager for the Triple-A Louisville Bats and the former Double-A Carolina Mudcats in the Cincinnati Reds organization.

Bell comes from a baseball family and is learning from the Cardinals. And they're (despite a small hacking thing) a pretty successful organization.

2. Jim Thome

Jim Thome
(credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Thome, 44, was beloved while in Philly. He joined the Chicago White Sox organization in 2013 as a special assistant to the manager and expressed interest in one day becoming a manager. And we know how Charlie Manuel, a senior advisor (or whatever he is now) for the Phillies, feels about his former slugger.

1. Raul Ibanez

Phillies 3, Braves 2 - September 7, 2011
(Photo by Len Redkoles/Getty Images)

Raauuuuuuuuulllllllll.

I'm not just throwing things at the wall. Ibanez, 43, another beloved Phillie, was a finalist to manage the Tampa Bay Rays last year.

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