Former Dodgers Pinch Hitter Recovering From Stroke
Former Dodgers pinch hitter Charlie Manuel, now an advisor to the Philadelphia Phillies’ front office, is recovering from a stroke.
Manuel, who turns 80 on Thursday, spent two years in the Dodgers’ organization from 1974-75. He appeared in 19 games over two seasons at the major league level, all as a pinch hitter. Manuel went 3 for 18 with three RBIs and one walk.
Manuel is best known for his 12 seasons as a major league manager. He went 220-190 in three seasons (2000-02) in Cleveland and 780-636 in nine seasons in Philadelphia (2005-13). Manuel skippered the Phillies to the 2008 championship and led them back to the World Series the following year.
Manuel’s Phillies eliminated the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series in both of those years.
In September, Manuel suffered a stroke in Florida. A baseball lifer, Manuel’s love for the sport has helped fuel his recovery. Writes Matt Gelb for The Athletic:
Manuel did something last month that reassured Missy. He had that tone again. He was fixated on someone’s swing. He knew how to cure it. (The player is not on the Phillies, so Manuel would rather keep it classified.) For days, it’s all he talked about. Missy loved it.
Then Manuel startled Smith, his therapist. “I have to be talking better by spring training,” he said.
That’s the goal.
Via The Athletic
Dodgers Nation sends its best wishes to Manuel and his family as they navigate the road to recovery.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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Charlie Manuel cost The Phillies the World Series in 2011 as he had to have another two wins to 102 when he already won the pennant. He could have let Atlanta win the last two games that would have put them in the playoffs and kept The Cardinals out who went on to beat the Phil’s in the playoffs and Texas in The World Series. The Phillies matched up poorly with St Louis and had a great record against Atlanta, but Charlie didn’t care as he was after the most wins which didn’t mean a thing. Charlie cost the Phillies the World Series.