"Because we beat them," Manuel said. "That's why. What the hell? Keep crying."
It's the "what the hell" part that makes that quote great. Charlie uses the saying so much he ought to trademark it, the way Michael Buffer did with "Let's get ready to rumble" - which is fitting, since Manuel was fightin' mad over the whole situation and swore the Phils weren't trying to steal signs. At least not this time.
During the World Series last year, Los Angeles Dodgers third-base coach (and Philadelphia expat) Larry Bowa went on the radio and said there was talk around the league about the Phils' attempting to steal signs. That led to one of Manuel's funniest news conferences ever, which is saying quite a bit:
"I can tell you this, if I can steal signs I will," Manuel said, playing the roles of both the comedic setup man and closer. "We don't have their signs . . . but we are trying."
Even Conan O'Brien doesn't do deadpan shtick that well.
For the sake of argument, let's assume the Phils do attempt to steal signs. Let's even assume they're good at it. As Manuel would say: What the hell? What's the big deal?
Binoculars or no, stealing signs has been part of the game within the game since the game became a game. (Got that?) Isn't at least some of the onus on opposing managers to change things up, disguise what they're doing, and protect their clubs? If Colorado manager Jim Tracy pulls a Bull Durham and lollygags down a Denver street with a wad of hundred dollar bills sticking out of his back pocket, who's more to blame if someone comes along and helps himself to the bounty - Tracy for failing to secure his wad or the guy who saw an opportunity and took it?
