Charlie Manuel was a four-sport star athlete (basketball, baseball, football, track and field) at Parry McCluer High School in Buena Vista, Va. On May 3 of this year, he was back on the field where he starred as a teenage slugger.
That occasion was the official unveiling of “Charlie Manuel Field.”
The dedication ceremony included the 81-year-old Manuel throwing the ceremonial first ball to 18-year-old senior Braedyn Houck. The PM Fightin Blues then played their local rival, Rockbridge County.
Robert Anderson of the Cardinal News was on hand to cover the story. “Manuel bounced the throw. Houck caught not only the ball but the significance. Moments later, the kid was clutching a signed baseball from Buena Vista’s favorite and most famous son. ‘I mean, he’s got a sign downtown when you come into Buena Vista,’ Houck said. ‘It’s amazing. It’s an honor. A guy like that to come through here … getting him to sign a ball, it’s special.’
“I’m lucky,” Manuel said in The News-Gazette. “I’ve been lucky all my life. I’m happy to be here. I’m happy to have the field named after me. I’m proud of that. I love Buena Vista.”
“We initially brought it up last summer,” said Parry McCluer athletic director Mike Cartolaro in the same story. “We had to go through the stages with the school board. It got OK’d in December, and we rolled with it. Charlie means a whole lot to this community and to this school."
“My memories of Buena Vista will always be here,” Manuel added. “I love everything about it. I’ve had a long ride, but it was worth every bit of it."
As a senior, he received college basketball offers and was pursued by several Major League teams. He chose baseball, signing with the Minnesota Twins following graduation in 1963. Signing bonus: $30,000.
The Twins sent the 19-year-old to Wytheville, Va, their rookie club in the Appalachian League. In 58 games, he hit seven homers, drove in 45 runs and finished fourth in the league in hitting, .358. He homered in his first pro at-bat.
Manuel is the greatest manager in Phillies history. He managed the most years (9), games (1,416), wins (780), postseason appearances (5), pennants (2) and World Series appearances (2). His 2008 club were the World Series champions. His 12-year record as a manager is 1,000-826.
With the naming of the field, Manuel joins an impressive list of Phillies Alumni who have received the same honor.
Robin Roberts Field, Springfield, IL
Dick Allen Field, FDR Park, Philadelphia
Chuck Klein Sports Complex, Indianapolis, IN
David Montgomery Field, Roxborough, PA
Richie Ashburn Field, Gladwyne, PA
Richie Ashburn Field, FDR Park, Philadelphia
Curt Simmons Field, Egypt, PA
Thome Field, Illinois Central College
Robin Roberts, Richie Ashburn, Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton are the four fields at Carpenter Complex in Clearwater, Fla. The Spring Training complex opened in March, 1967.
Last summer at their academy in the Dominican Republic the Phillies unveiled the Bobby Abreu Field, Juan Samuel Field, Carlos Ruiz Field and Roly deArmas (bullpen mounds).