An iconic figure in the Philadelphia Phillies organization was recently recognized with a distinguished honor by the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association (PSWA).
Last Thursday, former longtime manager Charlie Manuel was named the 2024 Most Courageous Sportsperson of the Year Award winner at the PSWA’s annual banquet in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Manuel, 81, received the honor for his battle and recovery following a stroke he suffered in September 2023.
Phillies' Charlie Manuel recognized as Most Courageous Sportsperson of the Year after battle back to health
The award is a testament to the strength and determination he showed in overcoming obstacles in his recovery (subscription required), per The Philadelphia Inquirer's Lochlahn March. It was a long road back to good health for Manuel as he had to undergo speech and physical therapy as well as dental work to improve his condition.
Charlie Manuel is honored by the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association as the Most Courageous Sportsperson of the Year: pic.twitter.com/1FjehPgEIM
— Lochlahn March (@lochlahn) January 16, 2025
Less than six months later, Manuel returned to the Phillies for spring training and to throw out the first pitch of the 2024 season in March, much to the delight of Phillies fans who grew to love him during his time with the franchise.
Manuel was named as the club’s 51st manager following the firing of Terry Francona in 2004. He was the manager of the Phillies from 2005 until 2013 and returned to the team as the interim hitting coach in 2019. With Manuel at the helm, the Phillies compiled a record of 780-636 to go along with five National League East division championships, two NL Pennants and most importantly a World Series title in 2008.
Prior to his time with the Phillies, Manuel was the manager of the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) where he racked up 220 wins to give him an overall total of 1,000 during his career, a monumental achievement for the West Virginia native.
Before becoming a coach, Manuel enjoyed a short stint in the majors as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins. He also found success in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league, hitting .303 with 198 home runs and 491 RBI. He achieved the unique distinction of winning a title in both the NPB and MLB as he won the Japan Series in 1978 and the World Series 30 years later in 2008.
This tremendous, well-deserved honor is just another impressive accolade in the historic life of Charlie Manuel. Both on and off the field, he is a model of excellence and his courage in the face of tough times is commendable.