Still in the first inning out in Anaheim and I’m already liking Jerry Manuel as the interim manager.
First, during the press conference this afternoon, Manuel stated very clearly that he will not ignore what happened to this team last year, a marked departure from Willie. You cannot ignore the greatest collapse in baseball history – Jerry seems to get that. He said he would try to “use it as a springboard…to motivate us to play at a different level.” Thank you Jerry.
Second, the way he handled Reyes acting like a petulant child when he didn’t want to be taken out of the game tonight. Manuel did the right thing and won the battle of wills with Reyes – though we will have to wait and see if there are further repurcussions. I hope he sits Reyes.
I also still want Lee, or Wally, or John Stearns – but will join in with others for right now and throw my support behind Jerry. At least for this road trip.
