Phils give Manuel two-year deal

By Jared Trexler
The Phanatic Magazine

The Philadelphia Phillies, fresh off their first division title since 1993, rewarded their manager Charlie Manuel with a two-year extension, including a club option for 2010, on Tuesday.

General manager Pat Gillick announced the extension late Tuesday afternoon,the day Philadelphia could have been playing Colorado in a deciding Game 5 of a National League Division Series. Instead, the Rockies swept the Phillies in three games, quickly ending Philadelphia's first postseason appearance in 14years.

However, the club's poor play over three games didn't deter management from rewarding the manager for his work over an arduous 162-game season. The 63-year-old Manuel, widely known for his laid back demeanor and positive attitude, guided the Phillies to an 89-73 record and the National League East title, overtaking the New York Mets on the final day of the season.

Manuel's Phillies trailed by seven games with 17 remaining, but battled back with a 13-4 finish coupled with a complete Mets collapse. Manuel received praise for his hitting expertise and his ability to mix and match a patchwork pitching rotation that included the club's Opening Day starter Brett Myers as closer and a Double-A afterthought Kyle Kendrick as the first option after ace Cole Hamels.

More than anything, Manuel kept the clubhouse loose and let his players play without looking over their shoulders. In September, Manuel became the fastest Phillies manager to collect 250 wins since Pat Moran guided the club from1915-18.

"We love what Charlie brings to the ballpark every day, which is an up-beat,positive attitude that rubs off on the players," said Gillick "He helped lead our club back to the playoffs and he and his coaching staff did a great job,especially with the injury issues they faced throughout the season with a number of key players."

The players Gillick is referring to include offseason trade acquisition Freddy Garcia, fellow starting pitcher Jon Lieber, second baseman Chase Utley and first baseman Ryan Howard.
Manuel managed Cleveland from 2000-02, leading the Indians to the American League Central Division title in 2001. He holds a 262-224 record in his three seasons with the Phillies.