Former Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has suffered a stroke, the team reported Saturday.
The Phillies posted a message on X (formerly Twitter) that the 79-year-old Manuel suffered the stroke while undergoing a medical procedure. Doctors immediately removed a blood clot.
“The next 24 hours will be crucial to his recovery, and Charlie’s family asks that you keep him in your thoughts and prayers at this time,” the Phillies statement read.
The popular Manuel, who played six MLB seasons, joined the Phillies as manager in 2005. He managed the team to five consecutive first-place finishes in the NL East, capped by a World Series championship in 2008. He remains a beloved figure in Philly, where he returned for a stint as hitting coach after parting ways with the team in 2013.
His 780 victories as manager are a Phillies record. But beyond the numbers, however, Manuel has seemingly made a positive impression on everyone, a sentiment reflected in the massive outpouring of support for him on social media Saturday.
Ive always thought of Charlie Manuel as someone who needs a statue of himself at citizens bank park because he was our coach who took the phillies to the world series in 2008 and won. Kinda like how theres a harry Kalas statue at citizens bank park. #Phillies
— Lizzy MacDonald (@Lizzard899) September 16, 2023