The Philadelphia Phillies breeze into Cleveland’s Progressive Field for a brief two-game series early this week. Having swept the New York Mets over the weekend, the Phils look to extend their winning ways.
For Phil’s manager Charlie Manuel, Cleveland brings back old memories, both good and bad. From 1988-1989 and 1994-1999, he was the Indian’s hitting coach. During those years, Manuel excelled and the results were outstanding.
Manuel’s stint as hitting coach was one of great success as the Indians led the American League in runs three times and set a franchise record in 1999 with 1,009 runs. Not the 1950 Boston Red Sox had a team scored more than 1,000 runs.
During two of those years, the Indians, under Manuel’s coaching, also led the league in home runs. Following his tenure as the team’s hitting coach, Manuel took over as manager from 2000-2002. Success continued to mark his work as he led the team to the AL Central division title in 2001.
The not-so-good memories came at the end of his time in Cleveland, but true to form, Manuel would not compromise his principles. In 2002, Mark Shapiro was general manager of the Indians. During the All-Star game break in July of that season, Manuel requested that he be given a contract extension beyond the 2002 season.
Despite Manuel’s success, Shapiro would not agree.
Shapiro and Indians owner, Larry Dolan, attempted to appease Manuel by offering him another job within the Cleveland organization if he was not re-hired as manager. This did not go down well with Charlie. He rejected the proposal and was fired during the All-Star break, in the midst of serving as one of the coaches for American League All-Star manager Joe Torre.
Manuel’s firing opened the door for him in Philadelphia. Shortly after his termination, Phillies management hired him as the special assistant to the GM. Then in 2005, the managerial job became available in Philadelphia.
The rest, as they say, is history. The 2013 season is Manuel’s ninth as skipper. During his tenure, the Phillies have compiled the best overall record in the NL. At 69, he is the second-oldest manager in MLB, exceeded only by Davey Johnson of the Washington Nationals. And, like Johnson, he is in the last year of his contract.
No matter what happens at the end of the current season, one would hope that his eventual exit will be handled with more respect and dignity than it was in Cleveland.
He deserved it then, and he deserves it in Philadelphia when the time comes.
