Back in September, it seemed unlikely to see Charlie Manuel doing what he loves best – being a part of the Philadelphia Phillies during spring training.
The 80-year-old Manuel suffered a stroke.
Amazingly, he has recovered enough to reach Clearwater, Fla., and thrive in his element.
It’s a feel-good story for one of the best people anyone could meet in any lifetime.
MLB.com's Todd Zolecki held a Q&A with the all-time winningest manager in Phillies history.
Here are a few excerpts from Manuel from that interview:
- On what it means to be at spring training: "I think it might mean a little more to me, because I think this is going to help me. I can be around the guys and be around the game. I can talk about the game. The atmosphere. I want to spend my time that way."
- On his recovery: "I remember I was having a bad day one day. These nurses said, 'We don’t think you could hit a baseball.' I told them, 'I could do alright.' They said, 'OK, let’s find out.' We had a Wiffle ball. This guy pulled out one of those unbreakable (fluorescent) lights and said, 'Here, we'll use this for a bat.' The guys had ropes around my hips to hold me up, because I couldn't stand up. I was hitting. We were laughing and giggling and things like that."
- On the support he has received: "It's amazing. I'm very grateful for it. You know, you think people care about you. They keep up with you. I'm thinking I don't understand why sometimes. Really. But it definitely makes you feel good. I think that helps me. It drives me. It makes me want to get better."
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