If someone was new to Philadelphia and didn’t know how it had been for the past three years, the newbie would probably assume that the local fans and manager Charlie Manuel shared a mutual love affair. The fans, one would have to assume, loved Charlie for his folksy ways and the gutsy way he stands up for his players, and the manager loved the fans just because they loved him back.
If only it were that simple.
The fact is Charlie Manuel’s tenure as one of the most successful managers in franchise history, has been anything but rosy. Manuel has heard that he is a poor in-game tactician, a little too loose in handling his players, and, well, Philadelphians thought his Appalachian twang sounded funny.
Oh yeah, Charlie heard all of it, but he says he didn’t hear anything during the ninth inning when an argument with home-plate umpire Andy Fletcher got more than a little heated just before the skipper got the heave-ho.
“CHARLIE! CHARLIE! CHARLIE!” the full house at Citizens Bank Park screamed shortly before the Phillies wrapped up an 8-4 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday night.
“It was pretty good,” closer Brad Lidge said of Manuel’s arguing tenacity. “He got after it a little bit. I was trying to read his lips a little bit. It was exciting. But Charlie, man, he’ll fight for you out there. It’s great. We really appreciate it as players.”
As Lidge said, Manuel’s selflessness has not gone unnoticed in the clubhouse, which, ultimately, is what the manager cares the most about. Though the manager says he doesn’t notice the cacophony outside of his insular little world, the players notice that Manuel keeps the doors and windows locked so that his guys can just worry about playing ball.
That’s pretty nice.
Yet as the crowd screamed for their manager, those who had observed the relationship from its infancy during the 2005 season to the present day had to marvel at the transformation.
Suddenly, a man who was belittled on talk radio and admonished like a child by fans for supposed strategy gaffes was being serenaded by 44,000 strong.
Not that heard it.
“No, I didn’t [hear the chant],” Manuel said before referring to his argumentative skills. “My red neck was showing too much.”
Then he thought about accessorizing.
“All I needed was some white socks and I'd be all right,” he said as he exited the press conference room to roars of laughter.
After four seasons and just about two consecutive NL East titles, the fans in Philadelphia have finally accepted Charlie Manuel for what he truly is…
A top-notch baseball man, a salt-of-the-earth type of guy and man worthy of respect from his peers, colleagues and players. Not only will Charlie break down a batting swing, explain a pitching decision or crack a joke quicker than a seasoned comedian, but also the manager will regale anyone with volumes of stories from his days playing ball in the minors, majors and Japan, as well as his time coaching and managing.
If you want to talk ball, Charlie Manuel is Mark Twain.
But the Phils’ manager gives more than some good stories. Indeed, Manuel is on the path to rewriting the franchise records for winning. In fact, in the Phillies’ 125-season history, the team has only had four managers on the job for six seasons or more. If Manuel goes the distance on the contract he signed at the end of last season, that’s where he will be, too. By winning 90 games (with a chance for 92) this season and 352 in his first four seasons, Manuel has won more games over that span than any other skipper in team history.
That doesn’t mean it’s all daisies and puppy dogs in Phillie-ville. Manuel disciplined reigning NL MVP twice this season for tardiness and lack of hustle. He’s also battled with Shane Victorino on his focus, sent his opening day starter back to the minors for a month to iron out some flaws and held a few closed-door meetings in order to keep the team on the correct path.
It’s a road that has the Phillies heading back to the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since 1980-81.
But that doesn’t mean the trip is over – not yet.
“We don't take nothing for granted in this game,” Manuel said. “I learned that a long time ago. I like our position. I'll like our position better when we're two up with one to play. That'll be good. That's when I'll drink champagne and V.O. and dance and sing and everything.”
Won’t that be a sight to see?
*** Programming note: Since Saturday's game is a potential clincher, I will be offering live, in-game updates. So dial the site up and enjoy the game with me...
However, if the Mets lose before the Phillies game begins, the clinch will have already occurred. In that regard, the live updates won't come as ardently.