When you’re a journalist covering Major League Baseball, you’ll likely spend more time with the team than your own family.
That’s simply a reality of being a baseball writer.
Even for just home games.
From 2004-13, I covered a plethora of Philadelphia Phillies games for multiple outlets, which meant I was in the company of manager Charlie Manuel for countless hours.
It was a pleasure both professionally and personally.
Listening to Manuel’s stories about playing in Japan or his strong takes on hitting, the day-to-day grind was rather seamless.
Largely because of Manuel.
He made everyone feel important and treated everyone with respect.
That’s why people have been overflowing with love and support since he suffered a stroke on Saturday. His stroke occurred while undergoing a medical procedure in Florida.
Doctors were able to remove the blood clot and Manuel has shown improvement ever since.
The 79-year-old Manuel, who led the Phillies to a World Series title in 2008, remains one of the most popular figures in the Delaware Valley.
Manuel’s popularity goes way beyond wins and losses.
You get what you give.
And Manuel has given plenty while serving as manager and later hitting coach and team ambassador.
In a professional career spanning more than thee decades, very few coaches or managers have asked about my life.
Manuel was an exception.
When my father, legendary sportswriter Phil Jasner, was taken ill and passed away in December of 2010, I heard from Manuel often. He would say, ‘Just checkin’ on you, young man.’”
I can hear that in my ears right now.
Get well soon, Charlie. You have plenty of years left.
“Just checkin’ on you, young man.’”
We’re all pulling for you.
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