Ryne Sandberg now has exactly 999 fewer victories as a Major League manager than his predecessor, Charlie Manuel.
After failing to score a run in their first two games after Manuel was dumped and Sandberg was put in the hot seat on an interim basis, the Phillies finally managed to not only triple their previous output, but also get a win over the Dodgers on Sunday.
And they did it without getting more than two hits in an inning, something they have now failed to do in ages. The Phils got a solo home run from Darin Ruf, his 8th of the year, and were handed the game via two Hanley Ramirez errors in the 9th for the 3-2 win. They managed 7 hits total and struck out 9 times.
Sandberg again juggled his lineup, sitting Jimmy Rollins one day after he gave Chase Utley a seat on the pine. Putting light-hitting Michael Martinez did not exactly jump-start the offense; he went 0-for-4 and the last 3 times failed to do anything with runners on base.
All of this comes, of course, in the rubble of Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. bringing the curtain down on the greatest era in Phillies history when he dismissed Manuel at an emotional press conference on Friday.
Everything you need to know about how sad the whole thing was is captured on our front page Saturday with the great AP photo of Manuel, his head stooped and pink shirt tail out, carrying a Wawa bag as he walked out of Citizens Bank Park.
Wonder just how strong a connection Manuel had with Philly fans? All you had to do was be at Granite Run Mall on Saturday. One day after he was fired, the exiled skipper showed up for a previously scheduled engagement and patiently signed items for more than 400 fans who stood in line for hours to thank the man most just called "Cholly."
I understand that the Phillies needed change. But I'm not convinced the right guy went. Ruben Amaro Jr. put this out-of-balance team together, with its nuclear bullpen and non-existent bench.
But it was Charlie who got it in the back.
Manuel did not get the courtesy of finishing out this season. Hell, he didn't even get the opportunity to be cheered one last time by the home fans after getting his 1,000th win on the road.
Manuel deserved better.
I was glad to see the turnout for him at Granite Run Mall. The man brought us a World Series championship in 2008. He will forever be synonymous with the best, longest period of sustained excellence with a franchise that has done a lot more losing than winning.
You'll always be a World Champion in our book, Charlie.
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