Wherever he goes, Charlie Manuel leaves a trail of laughter -- even if there is less of him this season.

The Phillies skipper can lift anyone's spirits with a simple greeting. Whether he's chatting with reporters, talking to players or sitting in a meeting with coaches, the folksy skipper almost always has something funny to say.

After the Phillies held their first full-squad workout of spring training, Manuel was asked about the speech he gave to his team.

This time, the message was simple.

“Win. That's what we're here for,” Manuel told his players.

The Phillies fell two wins short of repeating as World Series champions last year. They're trying to become the first NL team to win three straight pennants in 66 years.

Surely, Manuel had more to say than just, “win.” Or, did he save his best stuff for opening day?

“I don't got no A-material,” joked Manuel “I had a little pad and, hell, I never even looked at it. Whatever comes into my mind, I let it out. My talks are always different because different stuff comes out. One day it's lingo, one day it's hillbilly, one day it's Northern Virginia. Some of it might be in Japanese. I just let it come out. Whatever you get on that day. Are my speeches inconsistent? Without a doubt.”

A few minutes later, Manuel zoned out while pitching coach Rich Dubee answered some questions. Then, with Dubee still talking, Manuel interrupted to chat with a reporter.

That's typical Charlie. If something comes to mind, he says it. Doesn't matter what else is going on around him.

“I think one of the enjoyments of life is being a people person just because I can go somewhere and sit and talk to somebody,” Manuel said. “Where I come from, I could go and sit on the fountain, that's where people drink a lot of wine and stuff. I could sit there and talk to them, too. Seriously. I mean that. I tell people all the time, people I'm around and people I like, I pull for you. That don't mean you're soft or mean or happy.”

Manuel hopes some of his attitude wears off on those around him.

“I'd like our players to feel the same way, then I could get the most out of them. If you work for me and I make you happy or I try to make you happy and I pay you good and take care of you, I think that you'll work better for me. If I can treat you as good as I possibly can, you'll work harder for me and you'll play harder for me. If you're honest and consistent, you need those kind of people around you, too.”

Manuel’s style has made an impression on at least one legend.

Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt said Manuel is the “perfect manager” for these Phillies.

“He knows how to let them play. He knows how to crack the whip when he has to,” said Schmidt, in camp as a guest instructor. “He's more like a father to them. It's important in today's game to have the personality he has.” 

It's snow joke: The Vancouver Winter Games are here! Check out NBCPhiladelphia's full coverage, fan us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

Copyright Associated Press

Leave Comments