The Return of Uncle Cholly

To No One's Surprise, Phils Bring Back Manuel for 2 More Seasons

WITH A ramshackle pitching staff and injuries at just about every position to deal with, Charlie Manuel somehow cobbled together a playoff appearance, and so his two-year deal to return as the Phillies' manager was not unexpected. Manuel deserves considerable credit keeping his players moving forward; you have to wonder who else in baseball could have accomplished what he did with the same team. While the 'IP gasbags may deride his Southern-fried folksiness and less than tight command of the English language, it takes someone pretty damn smart to motivate and manage people the way he did in 2007.

The downside, though, is having to live through Uncle Cholly's weak in-game managing and lousy handling of his rotation and bullpen. And the Phils' chronic failure to achieve even a mediocre start to each season, let alone a good one, must be laid at Manuel's feet if we're also praising his late-season adeptness. Would the Phillies have been better prepared mentally for the Rockies had they not spent themselves emotionally in the season's final two weeks? Perhaps.

I'm okay with Manuel coming back; I think pitching upgrades are far more important for this club than a new face on the bench. Yet I continue to wonder why the Phillies cannot find a manager who has both technical ability and people skills.

Comments

You are so right. The players got the division. If left up to Charley they would have finished in second place in the international league. Montgomery signed because Charley works cheap. You are absolutely correct when you say he has no clue on how to handle his pitching starters or bull pen. I like Victorino but he will not be better than Rowand. they have to re sign Rowand and Romero. They have to dump Alfonseca, Mesa. Don't bother with Lieber and if at all possible sick Eaton on somebody. I am a bit concerned with Hamels statement that he doesn't pitch out of the bull pen. I agree he should stay as the #1 starter. But the team was talking about staying in playoffs. He should be willing to do whatever is necessary to help the team. He came off as a bit of a spoiled child. He is only 23 let's hope he grows up.