Phils Extend Uncle Chollie: 2 Years+Option

ESPN.com reports that the Phillies and Charlie Manuel have agreed to a 2-year extension with a club option for a third. All season we've been hearing the questions regarding whether he'd be back after this year, and for a while, it didn't seem like there was even a chance. But after the Phillies' record continued to improve despite seemingly countless injuries, the buzz regarding his termination was replaced by legitimate talk of Manager of the Year considerations. If not for the impressive run by Bob Melvin's young D'Backs squad, I think he'd be a shoe-in.

Most of us are still reeling from a first-round sweep by the hottest team in baseball, so it's hard to focus on the fact that Charlie really does deserve the extension. He made a costly mistake in game 2 when he took Kyle Kendrick out too early, and in games 1 and 3, his team couldn't hit a beach ball, and he's supposed to be a great hitting coach. The fact of the matter is, it will always be easy to find fault with Charlie Manuel, especially in Philly.

We're about as urban as he is country. Hell compared to Charlie, NASCAR looks like cricket. But they did win this season. They beat the Mets. They won the division for the first time since '93. Sure they fell flat, but let's face it—they had no business making the playoffs after losing so many starting pitchers to injury, the bullpen, and inefficiency. Charlie didn't single-handedly carry the team to the postseason; the bats were hot this year, and they lit up the scoreboard better than any team in the league. He was their leader though, and they overachieved, all things considered. So when faced with a decision on bringing him back to lead them again, I don't think it was ever much of a choice. They had to, and probably wanted to.

There will be naysayers, and they'll have a point. His in-game management can be downright dreadful. But every time I heard it suggested that they let him walk, I wondered who they'd get to take his spot. I think I'll snap if I hear another word about Jim Leyland. Joe Girardi also comes up a lot. They'd never hire him, at least not under the current ownership. Who does that leave? A long list of candidates who didn't take their team to the playoffs and a division win this season (except maybe Joe Torre, but I don't think he'll be fired, nor would the Phils pay him Adam Eaton money). Plus Charlie called out Howard Eskin and showed him what it means to be grow'd up.

I think signing him now as opposed to waiting is the right move. He was a lame duck manager this year, and signing him right away said to the players, city, and Manuel, that he is their guy, so it's time to get behind him and get ready for next season.

Beerleaguer's take... a great read as always.

Comments

[j13]

God, first they lose the series, now this. Piling depressing news on top of depressing news. What's next? 9 years, $200 million for Adam Eaton?? If the Birds don't win this week I may need to take up hard drugs.

Uncle Charlie's a dolt. The attitude and talent of this lineup got them where they went. The manager and pitching staff (save for the few obvious guys) did everything in their power to destroy it.

Ugh. Forget it, I'll never make it until Sunday. I'm gonna go score something strong and pass out. I can't get through this sober.

[Gaze]

I don't see why this was a necessary move right now... why not give it two more weeks to see where the other coaching chips fall?

Regardless, there are a lot bigger problems out there with this team.

[BigTom]

Joe Girardi is on the market...LaRussa and Torre maybe....plus, there is always my pick of Todd Pratt to manage the team....Charlie did an okay job considering the injuries, but I think we could have upgraded at the managers spot. He has cost the phils atleast 15 games over his career here. Plus, I really wouldn't mind a man who speaks fluent English, they wouldn't even let him order a cheesesteak at Geno's.

I guess the next priority is multi year deals for Jose Mesa and Pete LaForest.

[Kulp]

I think this was exactly the right move here. I agree he probably cost us Game 2, and he's made his share of questionable moves, but the guys play for him. You can't ignore the run they made and the credit the players gave to Charlie for their success.

But I especially like this move because it's really actually a one year contract. A two year deal basically tells the manager it's win now or go home. Manuel earned one more year as the manager.

Besides, whether or not you like him, you have to agree that the Phillies can't keep blowing through managers every three or four years. Letting Manuel go so easily would have sent a bad message to the players who have been waiting so long to reach this point. The guy at least deserves a chance.

[Poster Nutbag]

i begrudginly found myself agreeing with you, enrico. as much as i want charlie to go, you are right, he earned the right to stay, and despite my reservations i will support him coming into next season...that is until the first time he forgets how to pull a double-switch.

i also agree with your point that we needed to sign him now - get it out of the way and over with so that any controversy it generates gets taken care of fast. to delay would mean death. as much as i would liked to have seen us take a run at la russa or torre, the safest bet was to sign charlie and start thinking about next season.

i also want to take this time to express my confidence in pat gillick. i hope he stays around for this coming season. he got us where ed wade couldn't, and, like charlie, for that he deserves our support.

these guys must be doing something right.

[Brooke]

Boy am I glad people are reflecting my feelings on Game 2 when he took Kendrick out. I had a HUGE debate with my dad over it this past weekend. He thinks Charlie is a great manager who dealt with his pitching situation the best way he knew how.

I disagree. I thought he made horrendous pitching changes not only during the season but in the playoffs. Even in Game 3, he took Gordon out just to let Romero get one guy and what happens? He gets himself into a huge jam. Granted, not his fault, he pitched very well, the Rockies just found holes on Saturday night easier than golfers in the PGA Tour. But still, I think he's made some really bad pitching decisions that have cost the Phillies CRUCIAL games.

I think the team did most of the work and I do think for the most part, Manuel is a good manager. And I agree with the person who said they can't keep switching managers every few years. But I hope he makes better decisions next year.

And hey, at least we don't have to go watch him win a championship with another team like Terry Francona, huh?

[Thunder Douche]

Charlie was a dolt early on but got a lot better with the in game management in the second half. His pitching staff management could use some work, but lets be honest, how long has he had to get used to each pitcher's habits? He got the team to the playoffs, so he earned another shot. Plus, fighting Eskin is always a solid move.

[gootman]

No point of looking for a new manager when Gillick is leaving after next year. Give them their shot next year when Gillick says the team is ready. After Gillick leaves the new GM can make the manager decision.

Charlie did a better job this year than last year. This team battled through losing almost all of its starters, the backend of the bullpen, and a month without their best hitter and still made the playoffs, so you gotta give him another shot.

[Michael]

The great Joe Torre fried his bullpen the last few years (inc. Tom Gordon), and was ripped for his pitching moves all April and May when the yankees were losing.
Jim Leyland couldn't get his team calm enough to field a bunt in the World Seris last year.
Tony La Russa let Aaron Rowand, instead of Albert Pujols, hit with home-field advantage for the World Series on the line.

Every manager makes mistakes. When the team wins, it don't matter.

[Mike H.]

Or let it be said it a different way: He wasn't a pussy to Eskin.

Those are good points, Michael.

All that said, he's still a very good player's manager and a below average field general. That makes him average in the league.

[meech.one]

For the lack of pitching talent and depleted staff, I don't know what manager could've possibly done better last year. Honestly.

Uncle Cholly 4 prez-o-dent

[Tartan69]

All these complaints are hilarious. I'm not the world's biggest fan of Uncle Cholly at times, but this move was a no-brainer.

[Joe Manning]

I been grow'd up.

[the_Major]

now that I have gotten over my phillies losing hangover I don't think this was a bad move. That being said the move really doesn't excite me or piss me off so all and all I am content.

[bigmyc]

Why is everyone so impressed with that canned ham stage act that was supposed to be a legitimate call out of Eskin? I've seen wrestling matches with a less predictable outcome than that laugher.

[Brooke]

I want to respond to the person who said "Every manager makes mistakes, when the team wins, it doesn't matter". That's exactly it though, the team LOST games because of Charlie's pitching mistakes.

Of course this move was a no brainer, but everyone here is entitled to voice their opinions. I've seen nobody attack Charlie personally (well some used the word "dolt" which I don't find too offensive), so I don't see what's so wrong with people having opinions. That's all.

[Michael]

Brooke, as the person who made that comment, I agree that the team might have lost game two b/c of the Kendrick move (though obviously we will never know..) My point was only that lots of the managers people want here have also lost games with moves. This just strikes me as the ultimate 'the grass is always greener' situation.

And its always easier to point to a game we lost because of a move, then a game we won because of a move, or a lack of one, but the fact is this team has won more games that it has lost for the last 3 years, something that hasn't happened before that in my lifetime.