Usually, when Charlie Manuel struggles up the steps of the home dugout at Citizens Bank Park, boos and catcalls greet him. His heritage is derided; his accent, mocked; his baseball acumen, slurred.
Yesterday evening, when Manuel lurched up the steps, he received a moving and raucous cheer from the 8,000 faithful who remained to celebrate the Phillies' first playoff berth since 1993.
YONG KIM/Daily News
Champagne-soaked manager Charlie Manuel waves to fans after the Phillies clinched National League East.
