We at MLB Trade Rumors join the rest of the baseball world in sending our best wishes to Charlie Manuel, who is recovering from a stroke. The Phillies announced that Manuel suffered the stroke while undergoing a medical procedure today, though he was able to receive instant care (including the removal of a blood clot) since he was already at a hospital. “The next 24 hours will be crucial to his recovery, and Charlie’s family asks that you keep him in your thoughts and prayers at this time,” said the Phillies’ release.
Manuel managed Philadelphia from 2005-13, leading the Phillies to a 780-636 record, five NL East titles, two NL pennants, and the 2008 World Series championship. Manuel’s long baseball career included six seasons apiece in MLB and Japan as a player, and several decades as a coach and manager at the minor and Major League levels, including another stint as a manager with Cleveland from 2000-02.
More from around the NL East…
- Ronald Acuna Jr. left yesterday’s game due to left calf tightness, and didn’t play in the Braves’ 11-5 loss to the Marlins today as a precautionary measure. “We just don’t want to take any chances….I think he said he felt better when he woke up, but still, it was enough to take him out. We just don’t want to chance anything,” manager Brian Snitker told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Justin Toscano and other reporters. The injury is at least serious enough that Snitker said Acuna would “probably not” be playing even if the Braves were in a more of a must-win scenario, and obviously the club will be as careful as possible in trying to prevent a longer-term issue for the NL MVP contender. Remarkably, today was the first game Acuna had missed all season, as his durability has been one of many contributing factors to the outfielder’s incredible performance. Acuna is hitting .337/.418/.586 with 37 homers and 66 stolen bases over 685 plate appearances, and he entered Saturday leading the majors in steals, OBP, runs (135) and hits (201).
- Jorge Soler also wasn’t part of the Marlins’ win over Atlanta today, but told reporters (including the Miami Herald’s Jordan McPherson) that he believes he is “very close” to returning from the 10-day injured list. Soler is just past the 10-day minimum absence after being placed on the IL with a right oblique strain on September 6, and the slugger has been feeling good enough to take swings against a pitching machine for the last few days. It doesn’t seem like Soler will need any minor league rehab games before returning, which is good news for a Marlins team that could use his bat as soon as possible to aid in their quest for a wild card berth.
Acuna 1st in MVP NL. Olson 2nd.
Mookie Betts says hello.
So does Freddie Freeman
Best wishes to Charlie. One of the best and most likable people ever in the employ of the Phillies.
Charlie has one of the best managerial peaks in history. He won’t have the counting stats to get into the Hall of Fame, but he had a great run as a skipper.
@DarkSide: As a Cleveland fan I would say that Charlie was one of the best and most likable people ever in the Emily of Cleveland.
Jim Thome tells the story of when Charlie was Cleveland’s hitting coach Thome asked Charlie what he should do in a particular situation. Charlie answered that if it was him he’d poke it over the wall. But since it’s you then you should try to gap the outfielders. Classic Charlie.
Wonder if Acuna was out partying a bit too much after clinching division title and his body was not in it’s normal condition. Probably not but it’s possible. It was the first game after but there was an off day but whose to say the off day wasn’t a party? Lol
I’m super bummed about his calf injury. I want him to join the exclusive 40/40 club and it doesn’t look like his health will let him finish strong enough to make the needed push.
Good for you.
Interesting that you jumped to the conclusion that he was being irresponsible. How about all of his teammates?
“Wondering if” “probably not but it’s possible”
How does that equate to jumping to any conclusions?
There is nothing conclusive in those words so it’s interesting how you can make that interpretation.
Even if it were so which I stated probably not, it’s not really being irresponsible. Teams party when they clinch. It’s really not jumping to any conclusion just throwing out something that would make sense. I probably shouldn’t have said it. But yes you are misinterpreting and overreacting.
Or just perhaps (again pointless speculation) taking the game less seriously. Maybe not preparing physically the same way. I mean the braves clearly have taken a break on some level, intentionally or not, in the series against the Marlins. Nice to have time to settle down before playoffs but with 2 weeks or so left and a first round bi I kinda wonder how that could effect a team. Or, again, he probably just got hurt and it’s a pointless post that I jumped to write on impulse
Get better, Coach Manuel…
I feel like the Charlie Manuel situation is deserving of it’s own piece and shouldn’t be lumped in with other small stories. Guy was a great manager and highly respected person who’s well known throughout the baseball community.
God Bless Charlie Manuel!!!