Phillies say Bowa's job safe at least until end of 2004 season

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Larry Bowa will retain his job through the end of the season, but Philadelphia general manager Ed Wade wouldn't address whether the Phillies manager will return in 2005.
"As is the case at the end of every season, we will sit down at that point to review and address the status of our players, our manager and his staff," Wade said in a statement Saturday. "Until that time, our sole focus will be on our performance on the field."
After a flurry of offseason moves over the previous two years, including the acquisition of closer Billy Wagner and starter Eric Milton last offseason, the Phillies were the favorite in the NL East.
They were 44-37 on July 5 and led the division by three games, then went 19-28 and fell 12 games behind first-place Atlanta going into Saturday's night game against Milwaukee.
Wade repeatedly has been asked about Bowa's status.
"Much of the speculation has come about because of the inconsistent performance of the team and the high expectations that many of us had coming into the 2004 season. But the season is not over," Wade said.
"Anyone who really knows Larry Bowa and our coaches shouldn't be surprised by their commitment to winning, and we are still in the hunt for a spot in the postseason play. ... Larry Bowa has done everything in his power to get this team to play over some critical injuries and I have no doubt that he and our coaches will continue to take the same approach going forward."
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