Ryne Sandberg is the Perfect Prescription for Philadelphia Phillies Success

Roy Halladay

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Phillies had a home game Tuesday night, but the most important news in the organization came from 68 miles away in Lakewood, N.J.

After a rehab start for the Class-A affiliate Lakewood Blue Claws, Roy Halladay essentially ripped ex-manager Charlie Manuel. Halladay, whose workout regimen is considered among the most grueling in baseball, did not see the same work ethic under Manuel.

Related: Philadelphia Phillies: Can Ethan Martin Handle The Big Leagues?

“From what I’ve seen, Ryne came in and made some changes and addressed some issues that I think were being overlooked,” Halladay told Comcast Sports Net Philly. “So from that standpoint, as much as I miss Charlie, I think that (interim manager) Ryne (Sandberg) is going to do a good job, and I think he’s going to bring back a little more of the Phillie baseball style than we’ve had the last couple of years. We really haven’t had that whole team effort and that whole team hustle that I think we’ve had in the prior years.”

Halladay, who visibly looked disgusted every time the TV camera panned to him in the dugout after one of Jimmy Rollins’ jogs to first base this season, said Manuel was lax in some areas. While Halladay didn’t address Manuel’s preferential treatment for players like Rollins, he talked about general issues.

“Just different things, guys being at places on time, being on the field on time, taking ground balls, taking extra BP, all those little things that nobody thinks makes a difference,” said Halladay. “I think he’s been very good so far. But again, and I don’t want to take away anything from Charlie.”

When a player says “I don’t want to take anything away from Charlie” after essentially ripping Charlie, he took something away from Charlie. Still, what “Doc” said was what many Phillies fans were thinking. Manuel was too close to his players and let a few of them walk all over him.

For his part, Halladay did about as well as expected after being out for over three months. He gave up two runs, one earned, in six innings and expects to be back soon under a manager who he obviously will feel better playing for over at least the balance of this season.

Mike Gibson is a Phillies writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @papreps , “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Around the Web

ZergNet