By Fred Mitchell
Mets manager Jerry Manuel didn't always see eye-to-eye with Frank Thomas when he managed the White Sox from 1998-2003.
"I am glad I had an opportunity to manage Frank. We had our disagreements here and there, but for the most part I felt we had a good relationship," said Manuel before Sunday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. "And I am happy for him that he was able to be alive and witness having his uniform retired. I think that's a special time in a man's life to witness his accomplishments. And the White Sox put on a good show for him."
Mets manager Jerry Manuel didn't always see eye-to-eye with Frank Thomas when he managed the White Sox from 1998-2003.
"I am glad I had an opportunity to manage Frank. We had our disagreements here and there, but for the most part I felt we had a good relationship," said Manuel before Sunday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. "And I am happy for him that he was able to be alive and witness having his uniform retired. I think that's a special time in a man's life to witness his accomplishments. And the White Sox put on a good show for him."
Manuel, whose job security with the Mets has been speculated, had a record of 500-471 (.515) with the Sox, including a postseason appearance in 2000, after which he was named American League Manager of the Year.
"It's the organization that gave me the first opportunity to manage...over there on the South Side," said Manuel. "Jerry Reinsdorf and that organization will always have a place in my heart, no doubt about it. You definitely have got to pull and hope for the continued success of that franchise."
Manuel's laid-back personality could not be any more different than that of his successor, the gregarious Ozzie Guillen.
"Ozzie's a tremendous manager. It's not flamboyant in its own way," Manuel said with a laugh. "But (he) is very intelligent and he's getting the most out of his club. I think he fits extremely well with the South Side, no doubt about it."
"It's the organization that gave me the first opportunity to manage...over there on the South Side," said Manuel. "Jerry Reinsdorf and that organization will always have a place in my heart, no doubt about it. You definitely have got to pull and hope for the continued success of that franchise."
Manuel's laid-back personality could not be any more different than that of his successor, the gregarious Ozzie Guillen.
"Ozzie's a tremendous manager. It's not flamboyant in its own way," Manuel said with a laugh. "But (he) is very intelligent and he's getting the most out of his club. I think he fits extremely well with the South Side, no doubt about it."
Classy guy