Posted at 3:29 p.m., Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Baseball: Phillies give Manuel two-year extension
Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies and manager Charlie Manuel agreed to a two-year extension with a club option for 2010 today, keeping around the folksy manager who led the franchise to their first NL East title since 1993.The 63-year-old Manuel led the Phillies to an 89-73 record in his third season with the team. The Phillies were swept 3-0 by the Colorado Rockies in Philadelphia's first postseason appearance in 14 years.
"I am very happy to be back for another two years," Manuel said. "I'm proud of what the team accomplished this year and I'm looking forward to defending our division title and reaching our goal of winning a World Series for Philadelphia."
Manuel, who previously managed the Cleveland Indians, is 262-224 in three years. Among Phillies managers, Manuel reached 250 wins in the fewest games since Pat Moran managed the club from 1915-18.
"We love what Charlie brings to the ballpark every day, which is an upbeat, positive attitude that rubs off on the players," general manager Pat Gillick said. "He helped lead our club back to the playoffs and he and his coaching staff did a great job, especially with the injury issues they faced throughout the season with a number of key players."
