A word or two on Charlie Manuel

Charlie Manuel was relieved of his duty as manager of the Phillies today, in a move that isn't so much surprising in the sense that you didn't know it was possible, but more so in the sense that he has probably earned the right to "retire" after the season.  Instead, Ruben Amaro Jr. (henceforth known as "RAJ") decided that August 16 was the day that the Phillies were too far gone, that today, in the midst of a horrific 5-19 stretch post-AS break, he couldn't justify keeping Charlie in place, relative to yesterday when they were one game better, a marginal difference that is entirely void of meaning as far as the Phillies' disastrous campaign is concerned. 

I've been rooting for the Phillies to turn it around for a while now, as doing so would only prolong the inevitable, but this move is the beginning of that "inevitable" scenario.  You would think that presiding over the most successful run in team history, including a World Series championship in, and finishing as the most decorated manager in the history of the franchise would lend one some leverage insofar as getting to leave "their way" is concerned.  RAJ, or whoever is pulling the strings, obviously disagrees, and thusly, Cholly is finished.  It's likely only a matter of time for RAJ as well, but he may get another shot since Manuel wasn't technically "his guy."  Meanwhile, new manager Ryne Sandberg has his work cut out for him.

This is essentially the equivalent of Bobby Cox getting the axe in the middle of 2008 thanks to the ineptitude of his general manager.  As a fan, how would that make you feel?  I'm not saying Manuel deserved to stick around beyond 2013, and his departure seemed to be a foregone conclusion for anyone paying attention, but look at the state of the team this season: they're terrible!  Is it really worth firing a guy who brought your city and fans an enormous amount of happy memories and good times?  Not to mention the net-gain from the economic impact of the impressive 257-game sellout streak that Charlie Manuel was present for.  All because your team that you probably knew would suck ended up actually sucking slightly more than you thought it would?  Seriously?

Good luck with that.  If I'm a Phillies' fan that wasn't sick of RAJ and the ownership group before this, I'm definitely done with them now.  They are the baseball equivalent of a supergiant star collapsing in upon itself, apropos considering the black hole that looms for their franchise.