On
the blog today, we have a "not so missing" 1976 card for future Big
League manager Charlie (Chuck) Manuel, who played what turned out to be
the last Major League games of his career in 1975 as a member of the Los
Angeles Dodgers:
Manuel
appeared in 15 games for the Dodgers in 1975, after only four the
previous year, collecting three hits over 18 at-bats combined, with
three RBIs and a walk.
Between
1969 and 1972 he saw part-time action with the Minnesota Twins, never
hitting above .207, with his rookie year seeing the most game-time, as
he appeared in 83 games for the American League West champs.
After his brief season with the Dodgers in 1975, Manuel would go and
take his talents to Japan, where he would downright mash the ball
between 1976 and 1981.
From 1977 to 1980, his home run totals were 42, 39, 37 and 48, while driving in no less than 94 runs for Yakult and Osaka Kintetsu.
Of course, we all know that after his playing days, he’d become a long time coach and manager in the Big Leagues, guiding the Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Phillies to the Post-Season, winning it all with the Phillies in 2008 while taking home the NL Pennant the following year.
From 1977 to 1980, his home run totals were 42, 39, 37 and 48, while driving in no less than 94 runs for Yakult and Osaka Kintetsu.
Of course, we all know that after his playing days, he’d become a long time coach and manager in the Big Leagues, guiding the Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Phillies to the Post-Season, winning it all with the Phillies in 2008 while taking home the NL Pennant the following year.
He would end up with exactly 1000 managerial wins in 12 seasons at the helm of a Major League club.
