Charlie Manuel disheartened by Philadelphia Phillies’ poor performance in the season-MLB Update
Watching Washington Nationals winning the title that remained with them in the last five years was bound to affect the emotions of Philadelphia Phillies’ manager Charlie Manuel. He is dejected as he sees the Phillies leaving the season without achieving
anything.
His team, though they beat the Nationals on Monday, could not stop them from celebrating the Division Championship in the National League East. As Atlanta Braves lost, the side which could stop them from clinching the title, the Nationals became the automatic
winner of the crown despite being beaten.
Manuel all through the season tried hard to get his players to perform up to their potential. He brought all his experience into play and devised strategies to use his pitchers effectively. More often than not he was disappointed by them.
Roy Halladay was supposed to lead the pitching staff from the front and produce wins early in the season. His initial struggles dented his confidence and put him into such a mental state from where he could never come out. For the same reason even when he
returned after recovering from injury, his run of poor form continued.
Similarly the Phillies’ line-up was weakened by the absence of Ryan Howard and Chase Utley for most part of the season. Offensively they struggled and hence suffered lengthy losing streaks.
Just when other teams were strengthening their record for making it into the playoffs, the Phillies saw the winning percentage declining.
Manuel all through the season remained quiet and did not express his point of view on the performance of his team. However, as the season heads toward conclusion, he has spoken about the Phillies.
Manuel has also commented on the way the Nationals played in the season.
"They've had a good season," Manuel said. "They broke out early and got on top early and played solid baseball all year long."
Furthermore, Manuel says the Phillies need improvements in a number of areas.
"I've been mad for three or four weeks; hadn't really been coming out. We've got to regroup and we've got to play much better. We've got to play smarter. We've got to know the game better," Manuel said. "And we've got to play better defense, have more knowledge
of the game, what to do."
The best the Phillies can do right now is preparing for the upcoming year. They will be trying to learn lessons from their mistakes and use them for performing well in the next season.
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