PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- The Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday extended the contract of manager Larry Bowa through the 2004 season.
The team also added an option for the 2005 season.
Known for his hard-nosed style, Bowa is 166-157 in two seasons with the Phillies, winning Manager of the Year honors in 2001 when Philadelphia finished in second place in the National League East.
Last season, the Phillies finished with an 80-81 record. But they are expected to be major player in the free agent market, already signing third baseman David Bell while making contract offers to slugger Jim Thome and pitcher Tom Glavine.
If he manages out his contract, Bowa will match Jim Fregosi (1992-96) for the longest tenure by a Philadelphia manager since Danny Ozark's six-year run in the 1970s.
