The torch has been passed.
Well, sort of.
It took Ryne Sandberg's unfavorable tenure in between, but the Philadelphia Phillies winningest manager of all-time, Charlie Manuel, is very high on the club's current managerial situation.
Manuel joined Glen Macnow and Ike Reese on SportsRadio 94 WIP earlier this week, and praised the Phillies' decision to give Pete Mackanin a new contract last week.
“He has a good demeanor about him, he has a good way of communicating, and he’s had a lot of experience — especially in Latin American countries, managing,” Manuel said of Macknin. “And also too, I think that he is the right guy for this job really. I think it’s a good chance for him. By picking up his option the other day, I think that definitely showed our players that, ‘Hey look. This is our manager and we’re proud to have him.'”
To correct Manuel, the Phillies didn't pick up Mackanin's option for 2017, instead they gave him a new deal that starts in 2016 and guarantees 2017. The deal also gives the Phillies an option to keep Mackanin as their manager for the 2018 season.
Manuel's praise of Mackanin looks good in that Manuel managed the club through the most successful five-year-period in team history. Beyond that, Manuel is very familiar with Mackanin, who was his bench coach from 2009 to 2012, so his praise is based off of his own experience with the club's current skipper.
Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com, focusing on news and features.
