WFNY Podcast #8
October 15, 2008Only a Few Spots Remain…
October 16, 2008Not all that long ago, Rick mentioned that he was pulling for a Phillies/Rays World Series. In his post, he mentioned that he was hoping that the Phillies would take it all for a few reasons that did not have anything to do with the players involved. And while I agree, that I really have no attachment to any of the players that suit up every day for the City of Brotherly Love, I have to say that I in fact am pulling for Charlie Manuel to take this one home.
Not only is the city of Philadelphia about as sans-championship as they come – you know, aside from Cleveland – but Manuel is juggling a bevy of emotions right now and it cannot be easy.
While his players and coaches headed home early on Thursday morning as NL champions, Manuel will be a guest on a quieter charter flight as he returns to Buena Vista, Va., to honor his mother.
June Manuel passed away on Friday at age 87 before the Phillies beat the Dodgers, 8-5, in Game 2 of the NLCS. One of Manuel’s brothers handled the arrangements, which allowed for Manuel to attend Thursday’s viewing and Friday’s memorial service.
This was important for Manuel, who wasn’t going to miss a chance to say good-bye.
He reflected Wednesday on his mother’s impact — his toughness, grit, determination and compassion comes from her.
“My stubbornness and competitiveness, too,” Manuel said with a twinkle in his eye. “My brothers say I definitely got that from my mom. That’s how we were raised, and she played a big part in that. She had rules, and you had to obey them rules. She would definitely hold you accountable for things.”
I can’t imagine what has to be going through Manuel’s head right now. In a game that has had the substance abuse shadow for the last few seasons, and is even sometimes more engulfed in what Alex Rodriguez does in his spare time, it is a story like Charlie’s that actually provides us with a feel-good story; one that can even have rooting interest even if they aren’t “our” team.
Don’t forget, it was under Manuel’s tenure as Indians hitting coach that this team led the league in runs scored during three different seasons. In 1999, we became the first team since 1950 to score more than 1,000 runs – something that is quite an achievement, regardless of the “time.” Though he was only the club’s manager for two and a half seasons, the team was entering a rebuilding phase that simply would not be a good place for Charlie to call home. Thankfully for him, he found his new home in Philadelphia; and only a few year’s later in the World Series.
And while I wish that it was the Indians that could be on the other side of this year’s World Series coin, there really is no other team I would want to see representing the National League.
Mom on Manuel’s Mind… [Phillies.com]
This one is for us…and Charlie [The 700 Level]
8 Comments
This is very nice.
wouldn’t you know it…another coach/manager leaves cleveland and leads his team a championship game…for my sanity, i hope he doesn’t win 3 of the next four world series…
At least we don’t have to worry about Paul Silas, Randy Whitman, or John Lucas winning any championships.
I never liked Manuel as a manager, but I always liked him as a person, and so it was hard for me to root against the Phillies in the NL because it would be a nice story for Charlie. However, I am rooting 100% for the Rays to win the World Series. Part of it is AL pride, part of it is the Disney-esque “last-to-first topple the 2 giants of the AL along the way” story they going on, and part of it is because of spite. I don’t want Philly to get a Championship before Cleveland does. Misery loves company, and I don’t want to be left alone.
I like Manuel so I am with the Phillies there, BUT I hate Philadelphia fans because they are easily the most annoying around so I just can’t no matter the circumstance.
I would rather have the 300 Tampa fans enjoy it this year.
Gotta agree with Rock on this–As long as Boston doesn’t win I don’t much care, but I’d probably root for TB ahead of Philly. They haven’t won anything since 1983 w/ four major sports teams, I don’t want them to win anything before C-town does. Misery loves company indeed. I rooted against the Cubs for this reason. Pretty pathetic really but there ya go.
rock, you and i always agree on baseball..and this is no different. manuel is an good man, was not a fan of his when he was our manager. TB is just really the best team right now, and that’s y they deserve to win it. i mean, i’m watching the game right now, and they have unbelievable hitters on this team…just awesome to watch.
@rock as a philadelphian I almost always agree that I did not want the indians, cavaliers, or browns to win anything before a philly team did. It is true misery does love company.
@nicko lets be honest there are not 300 tampa bays fans to enjoy anything. like the lighting they probably have to give away free beer and rules of the game for people to show up.
@scott love the piece I think charlie is the kind of guy that you don’t like at first since you don’t understand what he is trying to say but then you realiize he is that in a world of plastic people really cares about you.