By Jared Trexler
Charlie dun good.
Especially considering the futile nature of the on-field product during Terry Francona's stint and the hostile venom spewing from players and coaches alike near the end of Larry Bowa's tenure. Manuel took young, raw talent and molded it into a consistent contender -- guiding a positive clubhouse with an equal mixture of curt and cordial.
Yet, consistent contender isn't good enough anymore. Despite a 173-151 record in two seasons, including an 88-win campaign (best since Dutch and Dude's '93 bunch) and two near playoff appearances, Manuel's critics are lining up at the gates of the Carpenter Complex, ready and waiting to knock the whole ship down.
They point to promotional videos -- "Red Means Go," "...Just One More Reason to Believe" -- followed by listless, fundamentally unsound Spring Trainings and a pair of 10-14 Aprils.
The Phillies haven't weathered April showers toward winning May flowers since a 16-13 start in 2003. 
"I think there's a difference between being ready to start the season and being ready to start the season winning," Manuel said to the Philadelphia Daily News.
If there is one, it's been glaring. Jimmy Williams, a veteran Spring Training handler in Atlanta and manager in Boston, was brought in to "run" season preparation. Another former big league manager, Davey Lopes, was hired to help fleet-footed Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino on the basepaths.
Yet, Manuel isn't looking over his shoulder. He feels the pressure, sure. And he understands another 10-14 April may mean his job, but his thoughts are squarely forward and forever optimistic. It's why his players love him.
"I think it will take care of itself," he said. "I'll manage the same way."
That way seems to be the perfect temperament for this clubhouse. Manuel normally stays out of the players' way during the game, without ebb and flow picked up by television cameras. He doesn't show up his players in public, respecting the difficulty surrounding the spotlight they are in and the job they must do.
In turn, his players rave about the atmosphere and respect him as a person. Perhaps most importantly, when Manuel does have a rare public tongue-lashing (see Florida, second inning versus Dontrelle Willis last season) his players listen.
"I'll fight. I'll do anything to win. I see our players. I hear them. They will tell you things they like about me, or don't like. Everybody in our clubhouse doesn't like Charlie Manuel," he theorized to the Daily News.
You could have fooled us. And his boss, who kept Manuel around at the All-Star break last season then decided to ride with his skipper after an off-season makeover.
"I think its pretty evident the players enjoy playing for Charlie," said general manager Pat Gillick. "I have no complaints from the players as to how they are used."
No complaints. A happy clubhouse. An upbeat atmosphere. All positives don't mean there aren't some underlying negatives.
Manuel, admittedly, took longer than many fans felt warranted in adjusting to the National League style of play. He botched several double switches, just plain didn't make others, and lost several games on his bullpen management alone.
However, he has grown -- even his sharpest critics will acknowledge his managerial prowess has improved over his two seasons at the helm -- with room left for full blossom.
In the end, it may be fitting. The season Manuel blossoms as a manager could be the season his 25-player family does the same.
"I trust them," Manuel stated to the Daily News. "And they trust me."
That's the kicker. In 2007, a manager that can have the trust of his players is a manager doing his job. Yet, despite every intangible, the skipper will be judged by on-field results without much wiggle room.
He has 3/4 of an All-Star infield, a $30 million dollar outfielder and one of the best pitching staffs in the National League. Superlatives are nice, but wins are nicer -- especially in the championship-starved city of Philadelphia.
"I'm going to do what I think is going to win games for us."
That quote will be his measuring point come April. And when the showers end, Manuel hopes fans and his boss begin to realize what his players already believe.
Charlie dun good.
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Jared Trexler can be reached at jtrexler@phanaticmag.com
1 comment:
Bravo Mr. Trexler, you have outdone yourself.
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