The Phils’ base coaches have been getting some much-deserved ink recently. Davey Lopes was in the news regarding the possibility that the former Dodger and baserunning guru was contemplating retirement. Luckily, it sounds like Davey isn’t going anywhere, at least not yet.

Today, Lopes’ counterpart at third, Sam Perlozzo, was featured in an Inquirer article by Andy Martino that explained all the work that the Phillies’ second year coach is doing with all 4 infielders to addressed aspects of their fieldwork.

Lopes’ contributions to the Phillies are numerous, but Todd Zolecki broke down the team’s baserunning prowess with Lopes as the first base coach:

His presence in Philadelphia has been invaluable. The Phils have an 84.5 stolen-base percentage the past three seasons, which easily leads baseball. (The Rangers are second at 78.7 percent). The Phillies set a Major League record with an 87.9 stolen base percentage in 2007. Their 84.5 percent mark in ’08 ranks second in baseball history.

Players like Werth, Shane Victorino, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley talk about Lopes like he is the Jedi Master of basestealing. One wonders what would happen to the team’s basestealing fortunes when he leaves.

Perlozzo has taken on the task of working on the infielders’ defense. What struck me most about Martino’s article on Perlozzo was this nugget about Ryan Howard:

For the second consecutive year, Howard contacted Perlozzo in January, and the two worked at Bright House Field five times before spring training.

“It’s something we made strides on last year, and now we want to take it to another level,” Perlozzo said. “You’re always looking for more consistency. When we started with him, it was like he hadn’t forgotten anything, so he’s in a good place to build on that.”

Howard has already gone on record as saying he wants to be a Phillie. But words mean little if the actions aren’t in sync. It would be easy for Howard to not sweat his defense in the offseason and just wait to head to the American League and DH and spot start at first base when needed. Instead, Howard is still trying to improve his range and the accuracy of his throws to second base.

Is it a big thing? No. But it definitely speaks to Howard’s character and work ethic that he’s reaching out to Perlozzo in the offseason to try and get better. Perhaps it speaks to his desire to be here for the long haul, too. Are the Phillies like-minded?