Former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has ‘made progress' after suffering stroke

Former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has made progress and is recovering after he suffered a stroke, the Phillies announced on Sunday.

"This morning, the Phillies received a positive update from Charlie Manuel’s wife, Missy. Charlie has made progress over the past 12 hours, and his doctors are encouraged," the Phillies organization shared in a statement. "The Manuel family is very appreciative for every post on social media.

"Charlie feels the love from his Phillies family and fans. Missy believes the incredible support is aiding in his recovery," the statement concluded.

Manuel, 79, was undergoing a medical procedure when the stroke happened at a hospital in Florida on Saturday. The hospital staff moved quickly to remove a blood clot.

Manuel has suffered several health problems, including a heart attack, quadruple bypass surgery, a blocked and infected colon as well as kidney cancer.

The legendary manager is loved by fans and known for winning the World Series with the Phillies in 2008 -- the team's first championship in nearly 30 years.

He has remained a fixture at Phillies spring training and at Citizens Bank Park.

"He's great to have around, he just has that wholesome outlook on life and all that baseball knowledge," Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Saturday. "He sits there next to the cage all day long and just watches guys hit, talks to them. Very simple approach. It's great. He's a lot of fun. When he and Larry Bowa get together in spring training, it's like a comedy show. He's a neat man. Everyone in our organization loves him and we're all praying for him."

During his time on the field, he was mostly a pinch-hitter and left-fielder. He played from the Minnesota Twins from 1969-1972 and then joined the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1974-1975.

Before managing the Phillies from 2005-2013, he managed the Cleveland Indians from 2000-2002.