The Philadelphia Phillies Charlie Manuel has been removed as manger and has been replaced by Ryne Sandberg on an interim basis, the team announced Friday. The team informed Manuel that it would not renew his contract and a decision was made to part ways now rather than finish the season. Manuel made it clear that he didn’t resign.
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. himself made it clear that Manuel was going to be out at the end of the season anyway, so — with the Phillies struggling so badly — now was a logical time to give Sandberg his shot.
Manuel was at the helm for five NL East championships, two National League championships and one World Series championship. He ends said tenure with a regular-season record of 780-636 and a postseason record of 27-19.
“I think I can manage for a few more years, two or three more years,” he said.
Since joining the Phillies this season it has long been assumed that third-base coach Ryne Sandberg would replace Manuel as manager after this season, so the promotion doesn’t come as a big surprise.
