PHILADELPHIA – Former manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, 2008 World Series Champion Charlie Manuel, joined Anthony Gargano Friday morning on 97.5 The Fanatic.
Discussed topics included Manuel's reported interest in managing again, particularly with the Washington Nationals, Chase Utley's controversial slide and Kim Ng possibly becoming the next Phillies' general manager.
On wanting to manage again:
"I had a couple of reporters call me, but [no team] has reached out to me yet," said Manuel.
"I think I told one of the reporters, 'I'm not the kind of guy to pick up the phone and promote myself'. I'm interested in getting back on the field and I'm interested talking to people. …
At the same time, I got a job with the Phillies. I'm sure that clubs understand that they probably have to get permission to talk, [but] that shouldn't be hard. I'm available."
[The Nationals] got some good players. They still need some pieces, but at the same time they are close to definitely getting the chance at winning the World Series. I believe that.It's just a matter of time [to when] it goes off for them. They got the talent there, so I'm sure in the future, the next two years, they definitely should be able to compete and have a chance at winning the World Series."
On Chase Utley's slide that broke the leg of New York Mets' shortstop Ruben Tejada:
"People don't know about Chase Utley, he plays like that everyday.
Chase Utley used to get spiked … and he would say nothing to you. Maybe Jimmy Rollins or one of his teammates would say, 'Skip, you might want to go over and check Ut out because the guy got him pretty good.' …
You know what people don't really remember, Anthony? … We had guys like [Shane] Victorino, Utley, guys like that who would run over you at the plate. They would take you out on double plays. We could go first to third and we played a very aggressive brand of baseball. I think people kind of forget about that.
The other night, Utley did his job. That's what you are supposed to do. What happened was, [Tejada] was the one that made the mistake. He kind of turned back in to the line of what you call the "neighborhood area"
Utley had no intentions at all of hurting him or injuring him. But at the same time, he's supposed to take him out. For 140 years, you are supposed to take that guy out.I heard people screaming [and] hollering, saying 'dirty play, dirty slide'. No, he has to take him out. That's what we been taught. I was taught that. He's been taught that. Anybody who has every played the game has been taught that."
On Kim Ng, Andy MacPhail, and the report that Ruben Amaro Jr. wants to become a manager:
"I've met [Kim Ng]. I know her a little bit. … I think she's qualified and she's very intelligent. She's been good in baseball. I think she's a worthy candidate, and she's definitely qualified.
…
I think Andy MacPhail is going to be really good for the Phillies. He's a guy that's going to let you do your job. I know Andy enough that he's going to get the best people he possibly can get. I think he's going to be really good for us.
He loves baseball. He's going to be quiet. He's not going to be hanging around a whole lot. He'll be more visible at the ballpark where he's in his own environment.
I think he's going to be real good. He's going to be straightforward. He's going to be honest. Also, he's going to hold people accountable. He's a professional.
…
I think nowadays everybody thinks they can manage. I don't want to say nothing derogatory about that. … The only way we would find out is to give the guy a chance and see what he can do. I mean that straight up. There's nothing wrong with that. …
I always thought the general manager job was hard. … I was a manager and believe me, it's a great job. … You got to really satisfy a lot of people. If he gets a job, I'm sure he will work hard at it."
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
