PHILADELPHIA -- With Charlie Manuel seated to his left, Ruben Amaro Jr.
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manager. It was that emotional for the general manager and many associated with
the Philadelphia Phillies. Manuel was let go Friday in the middle of a terrible
second half, ending the most successful run in club history. Hall of Famer and
former Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg, the Phillies third base coach,
replaced Manuel for the start of a 10-game homestand. The Phillies didnt play
any better for Sandberg and lost 4-0 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in his debut.
They have lost 20 of 24. It wasnt an easy night, or day, for anyone in the
organization. "You people may not know the relationship Ive had with Charlie.
Hes a special person. This is difficult for me. I hope he stays in our
organization," said Amaro, who took over as GM after Manuel led the Phillies to
the World Series title in 2008. The managerial change didnt help Friday night.
Zack Greinke (11-3) pitched three-hit ball into the eighth inning and Hanley
Ramirez homered to lead the streaking Dodgers to a victory over Sandberg and the
slumping Phillies. "It was a roller coaster of a day emotionally," Sandberg
said. "It affected me and I think it affects the players. ... Tomorrow hopefully
well get back to work and the game goes on." The 69-year-old Manuel, the
winningest manager in club history, was in the final year of his contract and
wanted to manage another two or three seasons. "I never quit nothing and I didnt
resign," Manuel said, making it clear he was pushed out the door. Manuel had
been a folksy presence in the Phillies dugout since the beginning of the 2005
season. He wasnt a popular choice in Philadelphia when former GM Ed Wade hired
him to replace Larry Bowa, but he became a beloved figure in a tough city. "I
think were all a little upset, a little sad," second baseman Chase Utley said.
"Its not easy to see the guy you play for, for nine years, not behind the
batting cage right now watching batting practice. Its difficult. "Charlie
brought out the most in his players. He was a man you could walk up to and he
was the same every day. He was always going to give that positive energy and a
lot of times that translated to the field." "I definitely enjoyed Charlie and
liked playing for him," added left-hander Cliff Lee said. "I thought he did a
good job. Its definitely our fault. We werent getting it done." Lee (10-6)
pitched well on Friday night, but the Phillies couldnt provide any offence,
finishing with three hits while getting shut out for the 11th time this season.
Philadelphia hopes to turn things around under Sandberg. "Hes a quiet guy, but
when he speaks everybody listens," All-Star slugger Domonic Brown said. "Guys
definitely know he knows what hes talking about." Sandberg managed the Phillies
Triple-A team at Lehigh Valley the previous two seasons. He was part of one the
most lopsided trades in baseball history when the Phillies traded him and Bowa
to the Cubs for shortstop Ivan DeJesus in 1982. "I must say that, for me, I
recognize this day as Charlie Manuel Day," Sandberg said at his first news
conference. "What hes meant to the Philadelphia Phillies organization, what hes
meant to the fans, the championships, the World Series, hes tops in the
organization for what he did here. I really enjoyed my nearly three years with
him in spring training and being here in Septembers, and this year especially
being with him on a daily basis. I wish Charlie the best with whatever he
intends to do, and he left a big footprint here in Philadelphia." Amaro said
Sandberg takes over on an interim basis and would be evaluated after the season.
Sandberg inherits a team that dropped to 5-20 since the All-Star break and is 21
1/2 games out of first place. "These guys are professional players, theyre
getting paid well," Sandberg said. "Sometimes players have to dig deeper, play
with pride, play with heart and for the name on the front of the uniform."
Manuel won his 1,000th game as manager on Monday in Atlanta. Two days later, he
sat in the dugout knowing it would be his last game after Amaro informed him of
the decision not to extend his contract. "I think sometimes people forget how
much I love to win," Manuel said. "I think that goes unnoticed. I think
sometimes I dont talk about it, because I push it to my team and how important
it is. Every day, I say our No. 1 priority is to win the game. When we get away
from that, we get into trouble. I love everything about managing, and I think
for us, the last couple years to fall back, I get upset very much so. I want us
to stay where we were at, I want to compete for a World Series every year."
Manuel led Philadelphia to the franchises second World Series title in 2008 08
and brought the team back to the Series in 2009, when it lost to the Yankees in
six games. Manuel was 780-636 with the Phillies and won five straight NL East
titles from 2007-11. He also spent three years as manager with the Cleveland
Indians, winning the AL Central in 2001. Even with an aging roster, the Phillies
were expected to contend in the NL East this season, but the team has fallen
apart. Two-time Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay has missed most of the season
with an injury. First baseman Ryan Howard also has been out with an injury.
High-priced reliever Jonathan Papelbon has struggled to close, and apart from
Utley and Brown, the Phillies havent hit much. "We let down not only him, we let
down the organization, we let down the fans," said lefty Cole Hamels, who is
5-13. "But I think ultimately, we let each other down. We really have to get
back up and discover who we are, and what were playing for. And go out there and
do it." Manuels abrupt dismissal angered many fans, who called into talk-radio
stations to express their bitterness. Most blame Amaro for the Phillies decline.
Amaro has made several questionable moves since replacing Pat Gillick. His
decision to give Howard a $125 million contract nearly two years before he was
set to become a free agent has handcuffed the team financially along with other
big-money deals. "This isnt a blame game," Amaro said. "Im not here to blame
Charlie for our issues. We all have a part in it."
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Magic have their first victory of the new year.With the Flat season over a month
old, it might have escaped the attention of some that the Stobart-sponsored race
to be champion jockey actually gets under way this weekend at Newmarket. With
the Flat season over a month old, it might have escaped the attention of some
that the Stobart-sponsored race to be champion jockey actually gets under way
this weekend at Newmarket.Defending champion Silvestre de Sousa is as short as
even-money favourite with a couple of bookmakers to retain his crown - but the
Brazilian insists he will not be chasing it, believing that if he happens to be
in a healthy position later in the season, it will come to him, as it did last
year. But whatever happens, having been crowned once, it is something that can
never be taken away.I dont think Ive got a point to prove - if it happens again
it will happen, Im not going to go chasing it, De Sousa said.I wasnt really
chasing it last year. It wasnt until halfway through the season that I realised
I stood a chance. You cant say this early you are going to go for it, my main
aim at the minute is to stay injury free all season. Ill just see how the first
few weeks go and take it from there. The season is shorter now so that might
change things, you might get people who wouldnt usually be interested giving it
a real go.De Sousa rode nearly 40 more winners than his nearest pursuer last
year, but only four of his 132 successes came in Group company and two of those
were on the same horse, David Elsworths Arabian Queen.She caused one of the
shocks of the season when beating Horse of the Year Golden Horn in the Juddmonte
International at York.My main aim for the season is to pick up a few Group
winners along the way, said De Sousa.The highlight last year was Arabian Queen,
without a doubt. The Juddmonte is such a high-profile race and even if Golden
Horn wasnt in it, there were still horses like The Grey Gatsby in there. To beat
Golden Horn, who had already won a Derby and Eclipse and then went on to win an
Arc, was a huge thrill.I dont think she has anything to prove, shes a very nice
filly and definitely deserves another year, she was only three last year. David
thinks shell be at her best over 10 furlongs or a mile and a half. Her dam
(Barshiba) was very good and shes by Dubawi and his just get better with
age.Other than her, Ill just be picking up bits and pieces along the way, Ive no
outstanding horses to look forward to.It is well known that a weighing room is
not a place to be big headed - you would soon be brought back down to earth with
a bump - but De Sousa certainly does not strike as someone who would let success
alter him.
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difference with the way the lads treat me in the weighing room and I wouldnt
expect them to, they certainly wouldnt let it go to my head, he says.If
anything, Im finding it harder than ever to pick up the rides, Im certainly not
getting special treatment. Having been away in the winter, Im having to build up
all my contacts again.Its so competitive out there, but having had a retainer
and been freelance, I can say its easier with a retainer - you have a commitment
and you are guaranteed rides. As a freelance you are left picking up the
pieces.I have a commitment to Mick Channon and hes started the season in flying
form, which is nice. After that, I just get whats left, being champion certainly
isnt getting me more rides.Its nice to be champion, dont get me wrong, but it
certainly hasnt changed anything - I still have to get up early in the morning
and go to work. When I first came over to Europe from Brazil, I hadnt even
dreamt about being champion, my first aim was just to get a few rides.When I
then moved from Ireland to the north of England things began to pick up. I had a
good relationship with David OMeara before he was the David OMeara we know he is
today. I had two very good seasons with him.I then had a lot of support from
Mark Johnston and I think hes been the biggest influence on my career. Despite
having a lot of other jockeys to use, including the Godolphin boys, he still
uses me when he can.It may not feel like spring given the snow this week, but
the first Classics of the season really signal the beginning of the Flat
campaign in earnest and although De Sousa is without a mount in the Qipco 2000
Guineas, he feels his ride in the fillies equivalent, William Knights Robanne,
is not without each-way claims.I ride Robanne and shes not without a chance,
said De Sousa.She ran really well in the Nell Gwyn and shes entitled to improve
a lot for that, not much went right for her but she flew home. I think she
deserves her place in the field, a mile should suit and Id be disappointed if
she doesnt go close. Also See: Live results service Full racecards Get Sky
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