Manuel, Phils talk about winning, not injuries
Manager Charlie Manuel of the Philadelphia Phillies watches the game against the Washington Nationals. (Aug. 1, 2010) Credit: Getty Images
The content of Charlie Manuel's pregame media session Friday made the Phillies manager sound like a doctor on rounds.
He started by talking about Carlos Ruiz being scratched from the starting lineup with a sore right quadriceps. Following that were updates on the disabled duo: Ryan Howard (sprained left ankle) and Chase Utley (sprained ligament in right thumb).
Manuel's conspicuous West Virginia twang and sometimes rambling answers made it evident there was no MD in the reporters' midst; but make no mistake, the guy in the visitors' dugout at Citi Field was a man of science. Namely, chemistry.
"I think we just come out and we play right," Manuel said of his injury-depleted ballclub that was three games out of first place in the NL East after a 1-0 loss to the Mets and Atlanta's 1-0 victory over the Dodgers. "I think it's attitude and chemistry. And give credit to the guys, because they come out and they play and they want to play the right way."
But it's not always easy to play the right way when playing at half strength. Notable players on the 2010 disabled list include: Joe Blanton, Jamie Moyer, Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, J.C. Romero, Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Placido Polanco, Howard and Utley.
But to hear Manuel talk about his resolute clubhouse, you might think it actually is always sunny in Philadelphia.
"I haven't heard one soul talk about losing," he said. "And actually, they've been talking about winning a whole lot. We expect to win when we come to the ballpark. Just goes to show you what you can do when you have a mind-set and you wanna do something."
It also goes to show you what happens when you have quality reinforcements.
Wilson Valdez, who played briefly for the Mets in 2009, is hitting .253 while keeping Utley's spot at second base warm. Mike Sweeney, acquired from the Mariners on Aug. 4, is hitting .272. Top prospect Domonic Brown was called up to replace Victorino and, though he's cooled off after going 4-for-8 to start his career, he has 11 RBIs in 13 games.
Manuel said he's looking toward September, when 24 of the Phils' final 29 games come against NL East competition. Howard and Utley are expected to return by then.
"We get to the first of September, we start playing in our league and everything and we get everybody back; we should be all right," Manuel said.
A winning prognosis.
