May 17, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (6) celebrates scoring beating the tag of Cincinnati Reds catcher Ryan Hanigan (29) during the eighth inning at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Reds 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

He smiled, he answered questions, he read the lineup; probably mispronounced a word or two.  But when he chuckled, he seemed to indicate the idea that preceded his actions was laughable; impossible; ridiculous.

Let’s back up for a moment.  The Phillies lost their lead last evening when Antonio Bastardo entered the game.  Not literally when he entered – that would be insane.  But about 60 seconds after he entered the game and threw his second pitch, Joey Votto quite easily took him deep.

This put the Phillies in a 3-3 stalemate, and required them to **gasp** score more runs to win the game.  How would they do this?  Was a miraculous comeback victory in the works?

Sort of!

It was through a Michael Young walk, a Ryan Howard swinging bunt, a Delmon Young HBP, a Domonic Brown reached-on-error, and a blown call at the plate by the umpire that the Phillies quite involuntarily took a two run lead and wound up winning the game.

So let’s zero in on what Charlie was talking about – Howard’s bunt.  For years and year, we’ve asked: What if Howard responded to the shift by bunting away from it?

“Just once,” even people smarter than me have wondered out loud.  ”I’d like to see him try it.”

He never did.  And I’m sure it was never considered.  After all, he’s a power hitter. Lord knows he can’t do anything but hit for power up there.  Or, you know.  Strike out humiliatingly.

May 12, 2013; Phoenix AZ, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel (41) inside the dugout prior to the game against Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Hilderbrand-USA TODAY Sports

Last night, we saw what happened.  The bunt even caught Howard off guard.  But he reached, bum ACL and all.  He was aided by the infielder not successfully getting the ball out of his glove, but it was a success, and indicated at least a few times in the future, were he to try it again, he might get away with it.  Other teams must be so ingrained with him not even considering a bunt that they hesitate in shock.

But Charlie nipped that in the bud last night, suggesting “That’s how you beat the shift.”  Then laughing and making sure everyone knew he was kidding.

“Some people think you might be serious right now,” one reporter suggested.

“Actually, if he’d get a bunch of hits, I would be serious,” Manuel replied, his finger twisting in his ear.

“Yeah?”

“No,” Charlie said with another laugh.  ”No.”

It was for a few minutes after the World Series.  Then, enough moments had passed that we started realizing he hadn’t just one the 2008 World Series; he hadn’t yet won the 2009 World Series.  And he was a failure again.

In the years to follow, Charlie Manuel continued ruining the Phillies by getting them to win tons of games but not the one that mattered.  Despite this, he was still the manager during these games, and as time passed, he accumulated quite a history.

That history now includes 1,332 games managed as the Phillies manager – more than anyone before him.  Certainly more than Gene Mauch, whose record he surpassed by standing in the dugout last night.  So what were some of the best moments from his tenure?

May 15, 2011; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel (41) watches in the dugout during the game against the Atlanta Braves in the fourth inning at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Phillies 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

April 17, 2007

Under harsh questioning from Howard Eskin following an 8-1 loss to the Mets, Charlie Manuel and his players responded by losing a bunch more games, then somehow winning the division title.

February 17, 2008

Manuel partakes in a prank that convinces pitcher Kyle Kendrick he has been traded to Japan.  Manuel, Ruben Amaro, and Brett Myers all share a laugh at Kendrick’s expense, unaware that they have emotionally scarred him and set back his development as a pitcher and human for years to come.

October 31, 2008

Manuel yells, “THIS IS FOR PHILADELPHIA!” after winning the World Series.  It is his most beloved moment in the town.  Moments later, his bullpen handling was called into question on a radio call-in show.

April-September 2009

Using the mantra, “Brad Lidge is our closer,” Manuel refused to give up on the faltering Brad Lidge, whose best month of the year was July, in which his ERA was 5.91.  Manuel led the team to the World Series anyway, where he continued to put Lidge in during save situations.  Lidge would go on to give up three runs to the Yankees in Game 4.

November 1, 2009

Not starting Cliff Lee in Game 4 of the World Series comes back to haunt Manuel in the form of a lost baseball game, which those viewers who got to visit the alternate timeline in which Lee pitched raucously inform him was the wrong decision.

October 3, 2010

Manuel manages the Phillies to their first ever #1 seed.  He is criticized for not getting Danys Baez to throw at Braves’ pitcher Tim Hudson’s head.  I forget why.  It doesn’t matter.

October 12, 2011

After being eliminated by the Cardinals in the NLDS by a score of 1-0, Manuel requests some “hitters” for his lineup.  In response, the team signs Juan Pierre, Jim Thome, and Ty Wigginton, none of whom would be on the team after their first season (at most).

Apr 25, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel (41) argues with crew chief Dan Issogna during the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park. The Pirates defeated the Phillies 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

March 14, 2013

Manuel reiterates that you’re going to have to drag his cold, dead corpse out of the manager’s office at Citizens Bank Park before you get him to leave under his own will power, in so many words.

May 8, 2013

“He is going be fine,” Manuel said as Roy Halladay was loaded up in a trailer and taken to the glue factory.

Charlie Manuel said he didn’t talk to Halladay after the game yesterday because Roy was busy, or sleeping | cbsloc.al/11bOqWD

— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) May 6, 2013

Yes, and while many people were irritated with Roy about not giving full disclosure on his shoulder issues, leading to a 15-day DL stint, Charlie stood by his former ace, saying he respected the man’s “integrity” or something.  Mmm.  Yes.  Well, even if we don’t snag that Wild Card spot, perhaps there will still be open slots in the Postseason of Integrity and Grittiness.

No, but Roy deserves all the respect in the world; his decision to keep things secret, however, remains perplexing.  Now he’s far away, getting ogled by strangers in private, and we’re here with the Cloyd and Pettibone Show.  Which seems nonthreatening.  For now.

And it’s not like we’ll never Roy again.  According to Manuel, Doc could come back during this very year, and pitch his way through an injury all over again. But apparently, they’re keeping Charlie in the same darkness they’re keeping everyone else.

Manuel on Halladay: “I think he stands a great chance of pitching again this year, but I need to wait until they announce something”

— MLB Network Radio (@MLBNetworkRadio) May 8, 2013

Can’t wait!

Halladay, with a huge smile asks reporters, “Are you guys gonna grill me?”

— Ryan Lawrence (@ryanlawrence21) May 8, 2013