The most remarkable thing about the last two seasons is that Manuel has not had the players he expected for a majority of the time. Just 33 times in the last 324 games has Manuel fielded what would be considered a regular lineup. He has used 199 different batting orders (not including the pitcher) in that span.
And he has won 61 percent of those games, finished with the best record in baseball both times, plus tied a franchise record for wins.
"It's not easy to do," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "One of the things I find fascinating about these last several years is people expect it. And it is extremely difficult to win."
Manuel's legacy was sealed on a rainy night in October 2008, but he continues rewriting it. He's the winningest manager in franchise history with two more guaranteed seasons on his contract before only age forces him out of the dugout.
In his 10 years of managing, he has never had a team finish below third place. Six of his 10 teams have qualified for the postseason. Among managers with a least 10 seasons, Manuel's career .561 winning percentage ranks 12th. The 11 better than him are all in the Hall of Fame.
The narrative of Manuel's rise in a city that pegged him for failure has been told, retold, and told again. Perhaps now, after another historic season, it requires even more revision.
Manuel keeps winning no matter the circumstances.
"Someone asked me if I would take credit for all of the accolades," Manuel said. "No, not at all. There are a lot of things at play for me to achieve a winning record."
Or, as Brad Lidge said, "He does what he does, and whatever he's doing works."
