Jim Salisbury checks in with a fun little human interest story on Manager No. 51, Charlie Manuel. Read it, and you will learn that Manuel...
....is the son of a pentecostal (that means fire and brimstone) minister.
....drank whiskey with Ted Williams while arguing hitting science (who doesn't love a good whiskey drinkin' Teddy Ballgame story?).
....played in Japan for several years, where he was referred to by the Japanese fans as Aka Oni, "the Red Devil", because of his red hair and frequent displays of temper.
....bribed a minor-league groundskeeper with the promise of wine in order to gain an advantage on a rainy night in Florida.
As I said, it's a fun little read, and while it might not make sway the phans that campaigned for Jim Leyland to become No. 51, it will make Manuel seem (even) more likable and very competitive.
