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Last night, before the Phillies game, manager Charlie Manuel gave it to Phillies front office advisor Dallas Green. Green, you may remember, was the manager of the Phillies’ lone World Series win, and like most everyone connected with that fated team, continues to work for the organization. (I think a food vendor from that season is now a coach with the Lakewood Blueclaws.)
In the past few years, Dallas Green only comes up when (a) a caller to talk radio says the Phils should hire Green to “teach these young millionaire jerk players some lessons” and (b) he says something disparaging about the Phillies. (Oh, yeah, and he was inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame the other day.)
Well, recently Green criticized Cholly in an interview, and Manuel fired back at him last night. Jim Salisbury of the Inquirer does the post-argument recap:
Now an adviser to general manager Pat Gillick, Green criticized Manuel’s job performance during a radio interview several weeks ago. It got back to Manuel, and people close to him say he has seethed about it ever since.
Sources say that Green was “slapped on the wrist” for criticizing Manuel and that his “punishment” included staying away from the field, clubhouse and dugout, not that Green was often seen in these areas.
The whole thing lasted about 60 seconds and Manuel, 62, appeared to do all the talking. At one point, he angrily jabbed his index finger in front of Green, still robust at age 72. Other than that, Manuel kept his cool while delivering his message. [...]
“He said he doesn’t like what I said, and he doesn’t like me,” Green said.
He shrugged.
“I don’t give a [hoot],” he said. “He’s entitled to say what he wants. I’m entitled to say what I want. He got some things off his chest.”
In his office moments after the quick but pointed confrontation, Manuel was more tight-lipped than Green.
“It’s like I always tell you guys, if I’ve got something to say, I’ll say it,” Manuel said. “I felt like I needed to say something and I did. [...]
Manuel said Green left him a voice mail several days after the critical radio interview, but he scoffed at the timing of the phone call.
“He called me at 7:15, after the game had started one night,” Manuel said dismissively. “This was the first time I saw him. That’s all I want to say.” [...]
[Green said:] “This race has kind of jumped up on all of us. It’s so [messed] up, anything could happen. These guys have a great opportunity and they should be proud of that. They’re playing with more passion. They like each other. That’s a credit to Charlie. He’s made it happen.
Two things can be taken away from this: (1) Charlie Manuel is not the best manager in the world, but he’s still kinda awesome. And (2) Dallas Green is a [poo-poo head].
Boiling Manuel scalds Green [Inquirer]
Time to show Dallas the door [Beerleaguer]
Praise for some… [Swing and a Miss]
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