Phillies Players Take Care of Their Own

Manuel's the same, the rare manager who eats with the rookie, chats with the scrub and star indistinguishably. Credit avoids him, which suits him fine; he was Manny Ramírez's hitting coach his first six years in the majors. "Manny'll make you a smart hitting coach," he says.

The Phillies' manager is a people watcher, always figuring out who you are. Talk to him and he never starts by discussing a batting stroke or a strong arm. Who does he want in the trenches with him? Who has to go? Who has so much talent that his lousy personality is worth enduring?

"He manages the game, but he manages people even better," Lopes said.

We all have our favorites. I like the old-timers, like Manuel, who look forbidding on the outside, but keep everything good and clean about themselves on the inside.

The Phillies are a team that sometimes needs to be slightly distracted from its goal, from the pressure of trying to be a success and, instead, simply focus on the details of playing excellently. If the Phillies continue to pay attention to playing the game exactly the way Manuel would want, instead of worrying about whether they are winning and what Philly will think of them if they do or don't, they're liable to find themselves in the World Series before they know it.

Take Charlie along for the ride. He's earned it.