"One of the reasons is because we think we can play, and we think we can play in the big, tough games," Manuel said. "Actually, last year, I hate to look back, when we got beat in the World Series, I said I want to go back and play the Yankees."
As he continued, Manuel revealed that he's a bit of a wrasslin' fan. Then the manager climbed up to the top storytelling turnbuckle and dropped an elbow on our funny bone.
"I heard [Pat] Burrell in an interview [Thursday] morning, when I woke up and turned the TV on. He said, 'To be the best you've got to beat the best.' That's one of my slogans. That's Ric Flair," Manuel said, referring to the legendary wrestler while the crowd chuckled. "Going to Space Mountain - what the hell. You know, like what happens at Space Mountain, you've got to get there and conquer it. You've got to stay there. That's what we want to do."
It was hilarious and unexpected, crazy and clever. It was Charlie Manuel. Where some other coaches in town often chose arrogance over aplomb (grumble, cough, listen), Manuel has managed to win and win us over.
The Phils have claimed four straight National League East titles. They've captured a World Series and reached another in consecutive seasons. And Saturday, after a lengthy layoff that's beginning to toy with the city's sanity, they will appear in their third-straight National League Championship Series. It's hard to imagine any of that happening without Manuel. He has helped lay the foundation for a dynasty.
