Family
- Engaged to Melissa Martin. ... Two children by previous marriage, Charles Jr. (5/30/62) and Julie (4/15/79). ... One grandson, Matthew Manuel (turns 1 in January). ... Has five sisters and five brothers. ... Grandmother will turn 100 on December 2.
Scholastic career
- Four-sport star at Parry McCluer High School, Buena Vista, VA: baseball, basketball, football and track. ... Had numerous basketball scholarship offers, including University of Pennsylvania. ... Had numerous football scholarship offers. ... Pursued by Pirates, Tigers, Yankees and signed with the Twins in 1963 for $20,000. "Basketball was my first love, but baseball gave me an opportunity for a living. We didn't have a lot of money. Baseball became my love, my entire life."
Most memorable baseball moment
- "In the states, I had a key pinch hit for the Dodgers that won a game late in the 1974 pennant race. In Japan, playing on three World Series teams in six seasons."
Funniest baseball moment
- "My entire career as a player in the states."
Hobbies
- Golf, fly fishing and trout fishing.
Favorites
- Childhood hero: Ted Williams.
- Teammate: Kirby Puckett.
- TV show: Anything that is sports.
- Movie: Any Clint Eastwood movie.
- Household chores: Cooking, baking - really!
- Ballpark food: Chicken cheesesteaks at Lakewood.
- Sports bar: McFadden's at Citizens Bank Park
- Philadelphia restaurant: Popi's.
Cheesesteak scouting report
- "I have found there is nothing better than a Philadelphia cheesesteak. My favorite cheesesteak place is a little place in Center City called Mama Angelina's."
What Others Say aboout Charlie Manuel
- "Charlie Manuel is a proud man who once wore a Dodger uniform with class, dignity and character. He knows a great deal about baseball and has the ability to lead players and make them better than they are."
-- Tommy Lasorda, Dodgers Senior Vice President
"I am very excited about Charlie. Having a manager that is from my neck of the woods and has the same ideas as most of the guys in our clubhouse as far as how to play the game is fantastic. Plus, he's just a positive person."
-- Billy Wagner, Phillies pitcher - "I not only have a great deal of professional respect for Charlie Manuel as we worked together in Cleveland but I also have a great deal of personal respect for him. He is a tough competitor and players love to play for him. The Phillies have made a great hire in Charlie."
-- John Hart, Rangers General Manager - "Charlie's a good man. He saw me play in the minors. The Phillies could not have chosen a better guy for the job. He knows baseball, he really does."
-- Kirby Puckett, Twins Hall of Famer - "I haven't worked with Charlie too much, but when I did, I liked what I saw. I know Jim Thome has a great deal of respect for him, and I trust Jim's opinion. Charlie seems like the kind of guy who gets respect and at the same time is a good communicator."
-- Mike Lieberthal, Phillies catcher - "From my experience working with Charlie, I think he will be great! He really helped me and knows what he is talking about. He's got the experience. I'm definitely excited and I think everyone else will be too."
-- Ryan Howard, Phillies minor league first baseman - "I have great respect for Charlie's ability to lead men."
-- Dan O'Dowd, Rockies General Manager - "I've known Charlie Manuel since my minor league days with Detroit. He managed opposing teams we faced a lot. I'd always see him hanging around the batting cage and he was so approachable, anyone could really learn a lot from him. I think he is a super choice for manager. He will get the guys going for sure, they'll love him. I know some of them love him already. Charlie's personality is the perfect fit and his knowledge about the entire game, along with his game management style, will help the Phillies win a lot more games."
-- Rico Brogna, former Phillies first baseman - "Charlie is a consummate baseball man. His passion and energy for the game is endless. He'll be a tremendous asset to the Phillies and their entire organization."
-- Mark Shapiro, Indians General Manager - "I think Charlie will be a great fit for this team. I know he loves to hit, so all the hitters will have fun working with him. I'm excited to see him in action. He's laid back and likes to have fun, but I can also see how he could bear down when necessary."
-- Chase Utley, Phillies second baseman - "Friend or not, [Charlie's] going to walk up and stomp on you if you don't do the right thing."
-- Chuck Finley, former Indians pitcher - "He had the respect of his players in Cleveland and if somebody like Jim Thome thinks that much of him, that's good enough for me. Jim Thome is, without a doubt, one of the classiest guys I've ever been around in 18 years of baseball and Charlie was a blast to be around my final year with the Phillies."
-- Dan Plesac, former Phillies pitcher