Former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel improving after suffering stroke, wife says

Former Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who led the team to their second World Series championship in nearly 150 years, suffered a stroke Saturday in a Florida hospital while undergoing a medical procedure.

In a statement, the Phillies said the hospital attended to Manuel, 79, immediately and subsequently removed a blood clot, adding, "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."

Manuel is the Phillies winningest manager with 780 wins from 2005-13.

On Sunday morning, the Phillies sent out another statement from Manuel's wife, Missy, who said that "Charlie has made progress over the past 12 hours, and his doctors are encouraged."

The statement from Missy Manuel continued: "The Manuel family is very appreciative for every post on social media. Charlie feels the love from his Phillies family and fans. Missy believes the incredible support is aiding in his recovery."

Manuel was beloved by players and fans alike for his affable personality and ability to relate to players. The Phillies never had a losing record under Manuel until he was fired midway through the 2013 season.

He took over a team with a young core of Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels and others and led the team to five consecutive National League East titles from 2007-11.

The 2007 playoff appearance was the Phillies' first since 1993. The Phillies won the World Series in 2008 and returned the next season only to lose to the Yankees. They reached the NLCS in 2010 before setting a team record for wins in 2011 with 102.

In all, Manuel went 780-636 in nine seasons with the Phillies. He was inducted into the team's Wall of Fame in 2014.

Manuel also managed Cleveland from 2000-02.

Manuel, a baseball lifer, made his major league debut as a player in 1969 with the Minnesota Twins, where he spent four seasons mostly as a pinch-hitter. Manuel spent his final two seasons with the Dodgers in 1974-75.

Manuel hit just four homers in the major leagues before heading overseas to play in Japan, where he became a prolific home run hitter in his six seasons there. He was nicknamed "The Red Devil."

Manuel then got into coaching in the minor leagues before getting his chance as a hitting coach with Cleveland from 1994-99. He took over as manager the next season. Manuel returned to the Phillies as a hitting coach in 2019.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Ex-Phillies manager Charlie Manuel improving after suffering stroke