Ex-Phil Morandini expected to manage Cutters

According to MLB.com writer Todd Zolecki, Mickey Morandini is heading to Williamsport.

He told The Northwest Indiana Times on Thursday he will be the Williamsport Crosscutters manager next season. Morandini had talked during Spring Training in Clearwater, Fla., about coaching professionally in the near future.

Morandini -- fans still can hear Harry Kalas drawing out the second baseman's name during broadcasts -- had been the baseball coach at Valparaiso High School in Indiana.

"I'm gonna miss it. I had fun. I really enjoyed working with the kids," Morandini told the newspaper. "But this is an opportunity to do some good things at the professional level, and it's something I couldn't pass up. I'm excited about it. I know the Phillies owner and G.M. very well. It's a great, family-owned organization that's always taken care of its past players. Its minor-league system is very well-run. I'm excited to be a part of it again."

Morandini said the Phillies had contacted him about coaching every year since he retired from playing in 2000.

"I love to manage," Morandini said. "I love all the little things that go into teaching kids. Hopefully, I can work my way up through the system kind of like 'Ryno' [Ryne Sandberg] and get back to the big leagues some day."

Morandini played 11 seasons in the big leagues, including nine seasons (1990-97 and 2000) with the Phillies. He made the National League All-Star team in 1995, and hit .268 in his career with the Phillies, Cubs and Blue Jays.

Chris Truby, who managed the Cutters in 2009 and 2010 is expected to be promoted in the Phillies system.  An official announcement regarding the Williamsport manager and coaching staff is expected soon.