Mike Schmidt wrote a guest column for the Associated Press today. In it, he praises Charlie Manuel for benching Jimmy Rollins in what I’m now calling “Run-it-out-bitch-gate.” Schmidt writes:
“It’s hard not to root for him. One thing for sure: A manager who can remove his biggest star at a pivotal moment in an important game without blinking an eye, and have that player support the decision, has got to be given credit.
Charlie does not care about getting credit for anything, except maybe sinking a 4-foot putt or catching a 12-pound bass.
Whether he wants it or not, though, join me in giving him credit as the guy who just elevated the level of hustle in every baseball game in America, including the majors.
He’s now the new Charlie Hustle.”
Here, here, Michael Jack. I have to say Charlie has done a great job managing this team, this year especially. It’s good to see Schmidt speaking up as an authority on the team. His is an opinion I will always admire and respect.
Tim MalcolmTim first found the Phillies as a little infant at Veteran’s Stadium, cheering on a Juan Samuel game-winning home run in his very first game. With the pinstripes in his blood, he witnessed Terry Mulholland’s 1990 no-hitter, “Steve Carlton Night” at the Vet, game three of the 1993 World Series, countless games during the charmed 2008 championship season and various road excursions. Since November 2007 Tim’s been writing about them daily at Phillies Nation, becoming one of the world’s most popular Phillies scribes. You can catch him on Twitter and Facebook, as well. When he’s not talking about the Phils he’s relaxing with a St. Bernardus ABT 12 or one of his many favored brews.
