PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Charlie Manuel didn't miss an inning of Phillies baseball on television last year. He is happy to be back watching in person in 2021.
Manuel is working as an adviser and spring training guest instructor. After dealing with health issues in recent years, Manuel is back at spring training working with the players as they get set for the season.
For Manuel, being back watching batting practice was an uplifting experience.
"The first time I saw batting practice was the other day," he said. "I flipped out. I hadn't seen BP in two years. I was so happy that I didn't say nothing. I just stood there and watched it and watched every bit of it."
The popular Manuel was at the helm during one of the two greatest runs in franchise history. After winning the World Series in 2008, the Phillies returned to the playoffs the next three seasons. The 2011 team had the best regular season in franchise history before being upset in the first round of the playoffs.
"We played in a lot of close baseball games that year," Manuel said. "We won those close ball games. I thought the brand of baseball that we played in '11 might have been our best as far as defense, offense and getting the pitching at the right time and those things, except when we faltered in the playoffs against St. Louis."
The 2011 squad was the last Phillies team to reach the post-season. Manuel is hopeful the 2021 Phillies will break the playoff drought. The former manager has been impressed with the closeness of the team since the start of spring training.
"I've seen it different in the whole culture of this team as far as one another really getting along and liking to be around guys," he added. "Actually, it puts me in the mind of some of our old Phillie teams."
Whether this Phillies team can come close to the success of Manuel's teams remains to be seen. The Phillies will need better pitching and more consistent hitting. Manuel said luck will also have to play a part.
"Luck does play a big part of it," Manuel said. "We don't talk about how lucky we are. Luck counts."
