Wally Joyner is the new assistant hitting coach for the Phillies

The new fad in baseball is to hire two hitting coaches. Former Padres GM Jed Hoyer nicked the idea from the Dodgers and the Cardinals. Apparently the Braves are doubling up too. Now it's time for the Phillies to fall in line. Two hitting coaches is the new MoneyBall.

It was announced a few days ago that Wally Joyner is returning to Major League Baseball as the Phillies' Assistant Hitting Coach. You may remember Joyner as San Diego's second favorite 1B of all time behind Steve Garvey or as the 2007-2008 Padres hitting coach who resigned because he didn't buy into the Padres' methodologies. Either way he left us with nothing but fond memories.

When Joyner resigned, it was at a time that Dictator Sandy Alderson was tightening his grip on the organization. So much so that he practically choked it out. These were dark days. Let's reminisce.

When Darren Smith conducted an exit interview with Joyner he griped that someone [Grady Fuson] was working against him and countering his teachings behind his back.

An angry Sandy Alderson publicly responded by talking to Darren Smith himself. He said that the Padres organization has a hitting philosophy and if Joyner didn't subscribe to the philosophy then he can go to Hell, in so many words.

A more level headed Paul DePodesta summed up the situation in a much more professional manner.

Oof, those were dark days indeed. Best of luck to Joyner in the Phillies organization. He'll have much easier path to success without Alderson interfering.