Manuel has REALLY got to go | sportsgoddess's Blog

There is no nice way to say it. Charlie Manuel is an incompetent idiot. I can't call him a manager because that would imply he knows how to manage. He never should have replaced Larry Bowa. The guy doesn't have a clue how the National League works and he's been with the Phillies for how long?

But last night could have been his most bone-headed move of all time. He brings in Brett Myers in a non-save situation, rather than bring in another pitcher who was also warmed up. Okay, Myers shouldn't have let up the runs -- of course there were some really bone-headed plays by Dobbs and Barajas (what in hell were they thinking?) -- but Myers also shouldn't have been in the game. Then Myers gets hurt throwing a pitch. Never mind that the game should have been over by then. He never should have been in the game.

Manuel has no clue how to manage pitchers. His periodic temper tantrums "motivates" the team, but I wonder about the rest of the time. And he can't manage to motivate them in April, so they have to climb out of huge holes. Since Manuel has taken over, the overall play is sloppy and the fundamentals have been tossed aside. (Shouldn't a veteran catcher know to crouch down to block the plate? If you are afraid of getting hit, don't be a catcher. Sheesh.)

Now his mismanagement may have cost us the most important guy in the pen. If Myers misses one start, Manuel's head should roll. If I had my way, he wouldn't be with the team tonight, or especially when they go to Atlanta tomorrow. And when he does go, note to Gillick: go after Joe Girardi with everything you got. I don't care about his contract with NBC. He's a crummy baseball announcer. Put him back on the bench. In a Phils uniform. Now. Please.

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May 24, 2007 12:34 PM ET

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I agree. Get rid of Manuel. He's not better than Bowa. Meyers shouldn't have been in the game.

carolinafan8907

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May 24, 2007 01:04 PM ET

Joe Girardi would be ideal for the Phillies. If history has any bearing, he'd be perfect if one goes by his track record...why, Joe had more interest in the Phils last September than he did in his own team :-x

I could just see it now:

"Hey, Willie, I love ya like a brother, you know that, don'cha? Lissen, I've noticed that Duque has been altering his leg kick a bit lately...since my team can't hit anyone, anyway, why not tell Duque to keep the leg nice and level tonight so that, in the spirit and tradition of our Yankees, he can throw his no-hitter tonight, instead of wastin' it on some other team..."

"Say, Willie, you're my main man...tell Joe he's my hero, wouldja? Lissen, LoDuca's mechanics are a bit off...tell him to simply plant his lead foot slightly towards the third base side of home and his throws will be dead on...of course, Rollins is a crap base stealer, anyway, and Victorino is ripe for the pickoff, so keep this in mind, my brother, and you'll be well on yer way to a win...love ya, man...and, can't wait for our Yankees to sweep yas in the Series this year!"