Manuel goes for it
The manager pushes the envelope.
Manuel goes for it
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
(RON CORTES / Staff Photographer)
Charlie Manuel has managed every game of the playoffs this year as if it were an elimination game, and it takes your breath away -- the boldness, the bullseye he willingly paints on his back, the idea that post-season baseball is the time to go for it, to clearly and unequivocally put your ass on the line. It is striking.
There once was a manager around here named Jim Fregosi, and he was all about that old Jeopardy category, "Actors and their roles." Under Frego, there were seventh-inning relievers and there were eighth-inning relievers and there were ninth-inning relievers. There were guys you used only when you were losing in the middle innings and guys you only used when you were winning. The roles were so well-defined that the guys in the bullpen could have made the pitching changes themselves. There never would have been the need for the sight that Phillies fans have now seen twice in this series, of pitching coach Rich Dubee doing semaphore in an attempt to implement the strategy that he and Manuel had just concocted in a crisis.
In Game 2, when J.A. Happ took that rifle shot off of his leg, Dubee was forced to spell out a big capital E in the air to get the bullpen to realize they wanted Scott Eyre. In Game 3, when Eyre went down with an ankle sprain while trying to make a play in the field, Dubee was forced to pantomime that he wanted the tall guy in the seventh inning -- Ryan Madson -- even though there were two other guys warming up and Madson hadn't thrown a pitch.
It is hair-on-fire managing. Nobody -- and I mean nobody -- thought Manuel would go to Madson that early. What it meant, right then, was that Brad Lidge was going to be closing the game if there was a closing situation. Everybody knew it in their heart when Madson arrived on the mound. Sitting home on my couch, warm and comfortable, nearly 7 hours after finishing my column on the Eagles game -- 7 hours! -- it was all I could process. If this worked out, an entire season of drama and heartache for Lidge was going to play out in a couple of minutes with the clock already past 2 am. I know that's closing time, but I cannot imagine that anyody was thrown out of any bar in the city of Philadelphia as this morality play reached its final act. And I cannot imagine that any police officer cared.
Frego would not have used both Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ in Game 2. He probably would not have have used Blanton as early as Manuel did in Game 3, and he would not have used Madson -- the presumptive closer -- in the seventh. Actors and their roles, after all.
This isn't to knock Fregosi -- because he's a great baseball man. Most people manage the same way -- you keep people within their comfort zones and you manage the same as you have all season. And if the situation bites you, well, that's baseball.
Manuel, though, has decided to bite back.
Comments (52)
The Phillies absolutely HAD to win last night. That game was huge. If they go into tonight losing two in a row and facing elimination on the road, they were going to be toast. I can't stand Manuel for his regular season managing but he has learned something in the postseason. If he absolutely needs a game he will go and take it and not worry about the next few. Bringing Blanton in was no problem as he had Lee and Hamels ready for the last 2 games. And he now has Pedro to come in for Lee if needed, for the RH Rockies position players, with the temperature higher.— Bob1- Finally, Charlie is starting to get some respect. I have tickets to tomorrows game but I think that the Phils will close it out tonight with Cliff Lee.
I'm still wondering why he didn't bring in Pedro for the 4th? If he's all about managing like there's no tomorrow, why hasn't Pedro pitched yet? His stuff is pure ELECTRICITY, and I'm sure he can handle the Rockies young hitters!!- It all comes down to the same thing every time. If your decision works and you win, you're a genius. If it doesn't work, you're an idiot. Just compare the comments here with those from the day after the game 2 loss. Charlie is right more often than wrong, as shown by his success here and elsewhere. We are lucky to have him managing the Phils.— dlscholt
- Manuel's been forced to make these decisions, since the starting pitching for the past 2 games has stunk. After the 5th inning, everytime the batting order flipped we had to replace the pitcher. What else are you going to do when it's tied 5-5 with one out, runners on 1st and 3rd, and the pitcher due up? You make a change.— p-diddy
- "This isn't to knock Fregosi -- because he's a great baseball man. Most people manage the same..." You gotta be freekin kidding!!! Freblowski a great baseball man???!!! If it wasn't for him putting in a worn out Larry Anderson and then a tired Mitch Williams and then saying "because that's the way we've done it all year." we'd have 3 WS's Championships here. He had Roger Mason mowing them down with 94 plus heaters and throwing only 27 pitches. He had a fresh Danny Jackson in the pen. No, Charly's got it right. Keep on doin' it Charly - throw everything you've got at 'em!!! That's the way you manage in a Championship series!!!— Phillyexp
- I see nothing unusual about Charlie's moves last night he's proven more times than I can count that he is a gambler. Sometimes it works aometimes it doesn't. You can't fault him for playing a hunch. In fairness I think most people get upset when he says they are going to do one thing and in truth they do just the opposite. There is no comparison to Fregosi. It wasn't just the predefined roles but the high precentage moves that dominated his managing. Jim was totally predictable which is something that has also plagued Charlie and he needs to change. Last night was maybe a start toward that type of thinking who knows. I will go on record and say now the thought of Hamels pitching the 5th game worries the heck out of me. So let's get it done today.— Wally 24
- Charlie is a baseball lifer, and if his many years in the game has taught him one thing, we are seeing that it is this - go for it NOW, because they may never be a LATER. He knows this might be his last chance ata WS, and to hell with "next year". Ballsy managing - I love it.— ksam
- If Cliff cannot go more than 5-6, then who is up? Pedro, Kyle,and who else?? Let us hope Cliff can go go go. And that the Phils can get at least 6-7 runs.— KGKoons
- In Cholly We Trust!!!!!— bcmojo
As much as people had been on Charlie the last few years, the guy is impossible to dislike...I used to hate the way he bungled the double switch, but his personality shines through. I'm happy with a manager that is playing every playoff game like it's an elimination game.— kjuggs77- It's not an original thought, but sometimes you have to "save" the game before the 9th. Charlie knew that, and did the right thing. In a short series like this one, you need to manage each game like it's the last.— rw55
- Cholly would have left in Roger Mason in Game 6 in 1993 and who knows what Game 7 would have brought? I was in Buena Vista, Virginia (a friend in Roanoke told me that the locals call it Byoona, not Bwayna, Vista) and saw the sign announcing it as the home of Charlie Manuel, manager of the 2008 World Champion Phillies. Let's hope they have to edit that sign to add "and 2009".— PabloD
- Charlie's baseball instincts are second to none. Fortunately this Phillies club also happens to have superior talent and players with top notch character. I think that this combination allows him to have the confidence to push the button that needs to be pushed in a given situation regardless of a player's "typical" role. Winners inevitably find a way to win.— Eddieboy
- as everyone saw with yesterday's Red Sox game....just b/c you have a "closer" with excellent "closing stats" it doesnt mean he will get you the save everytime you ask him to take the hill. I think Charlie manages to some extent with his gut and I for one admire him for that. Just like those silly stats they put up during football games that say a team is X-Y against such and such team over the past 5 seasons. That was the past....this is the future. And I think our future during these playoffs looks very bright.— cheesesteak17
- If the Phils win it all again I cannot even imagine the level of canonization that will build around Charlie Manual... he will become the pinnacle of Phila baseball lore... part Aragorn, part Abraham Lincoln, part James T. Kirk ... beloved doesn't even begin to scratch the surface. He'll own the town AND the mineral rights! lol Go Charlie go!— esh
- I'm so freakin' weak and limp I can hardly type. Another ninth inning like that and I'm going back to alcohol.GO CHARLIE!!! GO FIGHTINS!!!— TBear
- I couldn't believe the Inky got the full game coverage in the paper this morning. Never would've happened in the old days. Great job!— john421
- I bet the Red Sox wish they had our relievers!— charladan
- What would Felske have done ?— mick314
- g$ - Yes, unfortunately that's one of the bad things about HD tv.— mikegdj
- Overall good column and great phan comments. The only question I have is... why use the '93 Phils when last year's team was the perfect example of "players, and their roles"? And...the ONLY reason those roles aren't as well-defined this season is due to injuries and Lidge's struggles. Cholly is managing based on circumstances and up until now, it is working. Let's hope it continues!— dri_as_a_bone
- hmpeterson, I disagree with you, when he used Madson that was the most important part of the game with 1st and 3rd and no outs and Madson minimise the damage to 1 run, so if you wouldnt have use anyone else who knows how many runs they would have scored and we probably would have never got to used Madson for a save because we would have been losing.— northphillyboy
- I really believe that we are watched the best Phillies team ever right now and the reason they are playing as World Champions has a lot to do with how they are being managed. The best team in Phillies history is being managed by the best manager in Phillies history.— mikegdj
- was it just me or did anyone else notice the bumbling idiot rockies fan directly over the home umpires left shoulder? he was wearing a rockies jersey and a terrible fur-lined bomber hat. he jumped up and did a towel wave AFTER EVERY PITCH. if it was good for the rockies, he cheered, if not, he gave the ump and earful. never before have i wanted to reach through the screen and pummel someone.— g$ is an idiot
- "This is why Philly loves [Charlie]". Say what? Philly booed Charlie for years. It took a World Series for the town to show him the respect he deserves. I bet the first time the Phils don't win the Series, the town, WIP, and the sports writers will turn on him. Charlie won't deserve that. Charlie deserves better and I hope we remember it.— TheHammer
The reason to use Madson in the 7th is this: if you don't get out of the 7th there probably won't be a bottom of the ninth. If Madson gets beat around, so be it. You played the best card you had. If they are good enough to beat the best you've got, then God bless them. But if you put your second or third choice in and it blows up, you'll always wonder what would have happened if you had used your first choice.- Hey, can't argue with success so far. However, I like Fergosi's approach more. Players tell you that they like to settle into "roles," which implies that not knowing a role leads to a lower probability of positive results.— PhillyPhantastico
- I was praying for the Phillies to score 3 runs in the 9th, because I thought Lidge would need a big cushion. When he walked Gonzales and he immediately stole second, that was the typical way that Lidge gets himself into trouble. Luckily, he got out of it this time, but as usual, it wasn't easy.— SteveS11
There isn't another person, live or dead, that has more confidence in his players than Charlie. I admire that.- If ahir raising baseball is your game, Philly is your town!— unbelieveable!
- The way Charlie manages gets his players to perform at their best. When he called Madson in the 7th I felt like Madson's confidence went up a notch because he could see Charlie was calling on him to face the Rockies' best. Same for Lidge -- Charlie's confidence in him ratcheted him up a notch. This is what makes Chuck so good. He doesn't just manage for the game. He manages for the game and the title at the same time. He stands behind his guys and it shows when he needs them most.— s
- Cholly for Cooperstown.— vc bear
- I was with hmp...when I saw Madson I new what that meant for the ninth...lidge....was nervous the whole game but that amped me up to "biblical proportions"!— Clem
- Charlie is managing by the seat of his pants and it's fun to watch. Scary, but fun.— yardbyrd
- I thought Madson striking out Helton win no outs and runners at the corners in the seventh was a HUGE play. He HAD to use Madson then. Leaving Durbin in there in the ninth under those conditions would have been a big mistake. Lidge pitched GREAT too. That walk to Gonzalez should have been STRIKE three based on how the Matt Stairs at-bat was called in the eighth.— TripleOption
- game was hanging in the balance in the 7th hmpeterson...thats why Charlie went with Madson...I give the man all the credit in the world...he goes for it when he needs to...and didnt go for it all season when he didnt have to, despite all the crying from the masses...Thats why he has a world championship ring....he has the guts to make the calls he thinks are right and he doesnt care about what others think— TheLon
- @bobo_29...if he blew it, I don't think the fans would have been screaming to leave Durbin. I think people would have been screaming, "Why did you use Madson in the 7th instead of Durbin?" I think Madson being used early and therefore not being available for the 9th, would have been the bigger issue.
- I have to admit, when I saw Madson in the 7th and realized Durbin and Lidge would have to close this out for us, I was nervous. Durbin came in and stepped it up and pitched perfectly. When we got the run in the 9th, I was begging for at least a 2 run lead to give Brad a cushion. But it was one run and here comes "Last Year, Light Outs, Lidge!" I thought he may be ok because most of his blown saves came when he pitched a few days in a row. He had at least 7-10 days rest going into last night. But then most of his blown saves came on the road so who knew what was going to happen. He made us sweat but I am so happy for him, the team, and Charlie. I think Lee closes it out today!
- This is why Philly loves him, he manages with the sense of urgency the fan sees and feels. And he was dead right to use Madson then. You want your best releiver to pitch the crucial inning. Madson went in w/ 2 men on and no outs to face the middle of the lineup. He got away with only giving up one run off a sacrifice. Meanwhile, Lidge got to start with a clean slate in the 9th. Great job, Charlie.— RG
- I love the fact that Charlie is going for it. A World Champion Manager should not manage scared.— davekrieg
- great call to bring Madson in in the 7th to face the Rockies 3-4-5 hitters. It was unconventional, but we needed our best against their best.— PhiladelphiaWings
- myself I turn the game off when Durbin comes in he is a Jinx! He got lucky last night but he almost always is good for a Right down the middle HR! Cholly knew he was due to give it up...lol— xcyrsist
Comment removed.- Charlie managed to perfection last night...no, Durbin should not have been kept in in the 9th...There was no reason for the phils to have won that game last night, and charlie knew it...25 degrees, in colorado, all the momentum in their favor, a young hungry squad...charlie knew this and did what he had to do to win this game. Charlie Manuel you are the man!— relly142
- Comment removed.
- That's why Fergosi wasn't a good manager. The '93 team was lightning in a bottle and big-time steroids. Charlie's going for it, and that's all you can ask for. Finish off the Rockies today, go get 'em Phillies!— FireChrisWheeler!
- Mel, you read newspapers? So retro. Highly cool.— sal_acid
- Comment removed.
- What a spectacular performance!!!No, not the Phillies and the Eagles who were very good, but the Inquirer! Last pitch at 2:14 am and before 7 am the morning edition was in my driveway with full coverage of the game. Great, great— Mel Kreiner
- If Lidge would have blown that save, the entire Philadelphia sports nation would have screamed for Manuel to have kept Chad Durbin in the game for the 9th. I applaud Cholly's bold moves and I'm glad nothing back-fired, but I was one of the many fans screaming for Durbin to stay in. I think this postseason has proved that Manuel is playing to win at all costs, and he earns my respect more every day. Leo Durocher once said that "you never save a pitcher for tomorrow because it might rain tomorrow"...and it's too cold to rain in Colorado right now.— bobo_29
- Charlie was the one walking the tightrope last night, not Lidge. And he did it successfully for 4hrs and 6mins. I don't always agree with his decisions, but he believes in 'his guys' and they have yet to let him down when the leaves are falling.— fcskills
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