Sports

Mother Of Phillies' Manager Charlie Manuel Dies

PHILADELPHIA (AP) ― A grieving Charlie Manuel was in the Philadelphia Phillies' dugout Friday afternoon for Game 2 of the NLCS, just hours after his mother died.

The Phillies said that June Manuel died Friday morning at Roanoke (Va.) Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. She was 87. The Phillies had no information about the cause of death.

Manuel found out Friday morning after a meeting with his staff before the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Manuel watched batting practice from his customary spot behind the cage, but did not talk to the media and his usual pregame press conference was canceled.

Manuel wrote of June Manuel for a Mother's Day tribute on MLB.com in 2005: "I can't imagine a better person in the world than my mother. I hope everybody's mom is like mine. She's been very special to me, and I've been very lucky to have a mother like her."

Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez, whom Manuel managed in Cleveland, was among the players and coaches who stopped to offer condolences. Dodgers manager Joe Torre put a hand on Manuel's shoulder as the two chatted, and former Phillies closer Mitch Williams also dropped by behind the cage.

Manuel shook some hands as he walked into the dugout after batting practice, but did not take questions. The Phillies beat the Dodgers 3-2 in Game 1 on Thursday night.

June Manuel still lived in Buena Vista, Va., where the Phillies manager was raised. She is survived by 10 children. Funeral arrangements were pending.

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