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Here we are again... The season is winding down and the Phillies are close to making the playoffs. We ask ourselves every year if they will choke or do they have what it takes. Every year they choke.
However this year is different! The Phillies are good enough to make the playoffs but their manager is not. So I if the team can overcome the constant "what the hell", jaw-dropping decisions of Charlie Manuel, they can make it. If they can't, we can thank Ed Wade for hiring someone who seems to be about the dumbest guy in sports. Hell, he makes Jim Thome sound like a Rhode Scholar.
The fact is Manuel's bonehead moves have cost the Phillies at least 5-10 games and maybe as many as 15 this year. Sure, the team atmosphere is much better but I think that is more the result of removing Larry Bowa rather than adding this guy.
Over the next few entries, I'll be identifying the some reasons why Charlie Manuel is NOT a good manager.
Bonehead Number 1 "Too Quick To Yank Starters"
With the exception of Jon Leiber who manual let's pitch (sometimes too long - anyone remember the Colorado game...), Manual consistently pulls his starters too early. Often a pitcher will have retired 3, 4, or 5 in a row and then Manual pulls them. Last night Padilla is throwing 96 mile hour fastballs that have great movement and Manual pulls him to pinch hit in the top of the 9th inning with the Phillies are leading 9-2. Let Padilla finish the game, he earned it. Manual wanted Rheal Cormier to get some work.. How come? Does manuel plan to keep pitching this guy when it matters? Every time Cormier is brought in the players on the other bench are high fiving and dancing because they know it is time for "batting practice".
Since when do starting pitchers only have to pitch 5, maybe 6 innings. Guys like Myers, Padilla and Tejada can handle it. Earlier this year when Lidle, the "innings eater", was pitching well, Manuel couldn't wait to get him out of the game so Worrell, Terry Adams or Cormier could enter the game with a big can of gasoline to throw on the fire.
Sure I understand that relievers fail and that is part of the game but too often, Manuel has pulled his starters because the pitch count is at 100 or 105 instead of seeing how they are pitching. The result has often ended up in a loss. The good teams leave their starter in there and don't trust it to the middle relievers who are in most cases the worst pitchers on the team...
Tomorrow Bonehead Number 2
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