Charlie Manual shows us who is in charge !

In the 9th inning of last night’s Phillies game against the Washington Nationals, Charlie Manual made the management move of the year. Leading 5-3 with one out in the bottom of the 9th inning, Phillies closer, Brad Lidge proceeded to load the bases. Since Lidge has blown 9 saves already this season, it was a foregone conclusion that a train wreck was about to happen, but suddenly Manual did the unthinkable. He went to the mound and took Lidge out. Ryan Madson came in and retired two straight Nationals and preserved the win for the Phillies.

Manual showed that loyalty can only go so far. Lidge had a storybook season in 2008, but that was last year and it’s all about now.

I sense Lidge is done as the Phillies closer and during the next 25 games, the Phillies will need to decide who their closer will be for the playoffs.

I believe Brett Myers is the guy. He has that bulldog mentality needed for a closer. He also closed games in 2007, so this isn’t a stretch for the Phillies.

As for Lidge, he may be ok as the 7th inning guy, prior to Madson. He is in the 2nd year of a $37.5 million contract, so the Phils will try their best to get value from him this year and next.

Kudos to Charlie Manual for having the fortitude to pull Lidge last night. It shows he is in charge and won’t have loyalty or large contracts play into his decisions.