Spring Break
Phils rely on Manuel labor this season
Kevin Burke
Issue date: 3/14/05 Section: Sports
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But, optimism for many Philadelphia Phillies fans began mounting on Nov. 5, 2004 with the signing of manager Charlie Manuel.
Manuel is trying to bump a Phillies team into the playoffs that has finished 86-76 three of the last four years. The other year was an 80-81 record.
But fans beware, recent history of the Phillies shows managerial hirings and firings work like a pendulum with little success.
First was the fiery Jim Fregosi. Fregosi was fired for a laid back Terry Francona. Francona was fired for fiery Larry Bowa.
Now it's Manuel.
Manuel's upbeat attitude is expected to give the locker room an optimistic feeling.
Manuel, a former manager of the Cleveland Indians led his team to the Central Division Title in 2001 and was 29 games over .500 in his two and a half years with the Phillies. He was fired as a scapegoat when the Cleveland Indians (strapped for cash) lost big name free agents and began the rebuilding process with prospects.
Manuel will inherit the same core of players that Bowa had, making evident Manuel's influence on and off the field.
One player Manuel will have the luxury of is new ace pitcher Jon Lieber
Lieber is a wildcard on a staff full of potential. If Lieber stays healthy, 2005 will be his first full season since 2001, when he won 20 games as a starter for the Chicago Cubs.
The other starters that must step up for the Phillies to have a chance are Vicente Padilla and Randy Wolf. Both plagued by injury last year have good arms when healthy.
The other significant player addition is centerfielder Kenny Lofton. Lofton should improve on the horrid numbers of former centerfielder Marlon Byrd.
Lofton provides a solid bat and decent speed at the top of the lineup.
While Lofton may be serviceable, the Phillies need men on base constantly for their big three hitters. At 37 Lofton is in the decline of his career but, he needs to provide a constant on base threat that was lacking last year.
Despite the additions the Phillies have made they still have plenty of room for improvement.
The Phillie's rivals Atlanta Braves, Florida Marlins and New York Mets didn't rest this off season.
The Marlins signed first baseman Carlos Delgado. Delgado provides much needed offense for the Marlins.
The Braves traded for ace pitcher Tim Hudson and traded for Danny Kolb. Both moves bolster their pitching staff.
The Mets signed pitcher Pedro Martinez away from the world champion Boston Red Sox. They also signed all-star outfielder Carlos Beltran.
But each spring brings hope of the second world series title in Phillies history.
Francona helped reverse the curse in Boston after failure in Philadelphia. Maybe Manuel will help spark a playoff run or raise the world series banner in Phillies history in the spring of 2006.
Maybe.