Charlie Manuel led the Phillies to great success as manager but was fired after the 2012 season when the team missed the playoffs for the first time in five years and had their first losing season since 2004. While the Phillies struggled with injuries to key pitchers and an aging offense, general manager Ruben Amaro received criticism for not making any trades at the deadline as the team lost 15 of 20 games after the All-Star break. Ryne Sandberg will now manage the Phillies on an interim basis but may have trouble turning the team around with its current roster.

1. Charlie Manuel isgone. The bestera inrecentmemoryforthe Philliesisover. Manuel broughtthe city
5 NL eastcrowns,2 pennantsanda longelusive WorldSeriesvictoryin2008. But aftermissingthe
playoffsforthe firsttime in5 yearsin 2012, and leadingthe Philliestotheirfirstlosingseasonsince
2004, RubenAmarodecidedtocut ties.
While obviouslyaterrible seasonforthe Phillies,the questionneedstobe asked – couldanymanager
winwiththisroster? Witha topof the line pitchingstaff hamperedbyinjuriestoRoyHalladayandMike
Adams,an inconsistentPapelbon,andanagingoffense withthe likesof RyanHoward,Chase Utley,
JimmyRollinsand Michael Young,the Phillieswere expectedtoslow down. Andslow downtheydid.
Amarocame underfurtherscrutinybynot makinga single move atthe trade deadline. Afterachieving
.500 right afterthe all-starbreak,theylost15 out of 20 games,leadingtothe managerchange.
Now,thirdbase coach Ryne Sandberg – Hall of Fame 2nd
basemanand2011 minorleague managerof
the year –will take the helmonan interimbasis. Withthe teamhe hasbeengiventomanage,his42
game auditionmaynot turnout so well. Thisisa teamthat definitelyneedstomake some changes,so
hopefullyCharliewasnotfiredfornothing. Asa Philliesfan,Iwill alwaysrespecthimandIwill never
forgetwhathe broughtto the organization.
Thank youCharlie.