This season has been anything but easy for Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. His team, picked by many to win the National League East division, is currently in last place in the division and NL MVP Ryan Howard is on the bench with a leg injury. On Thursday they were able to pull out a victory, but not without Phillies fans expressing their dissatisfaction with Manuel. One group of fans held signs that read "Hey Pat (GM Pat Gillick), Phire Charlie! Save Our Team!"
Following Wednesday night's game, Manuel apparently had enough. While taking questions following a 5-4 loss to Washington, Manuel got into a verbal altercation with a local reporter:
How do the Phillies save face from this incident? Well, it doesn't really appear to be a huge issue. Coaches have exploded as long as the game has been around and no one will ever live up to the Ryan Leaf explosion:
But the Phillies really don't have much work to do to clear this particular issue up. To me it is really simple - start winning. Winning will lighten everyone's spirit. The fans will be happy, the players will be happy, the front office will be happy, and Charlie Manuel will be happy.
From a PR standpoint, this really doesn't present much problem. Manuel has been around the game to earn the right to vent every now and again. He didn't really offend anyone and probably has learned his lesson. Keep your eye on the Phillies though, if they don't heat up, Manuel may be out of work...
All the best,
ben
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