Manuel never has been as one-dimensional as he has been depicted. Anybody who has been paying attention would have understood a couple of things. That winning is paramount. And that he's not scared to do what he thinks is best to reach that goal.

Those who don't believe that must have skipped class last year when he benched reigning MVP Jimmy Rollins twice, once for not running out a pop fly and once for arriving late for a game. Or earlier this season, when he took sentimental favorite Jamie Moyer out of the rotation.

From Hagen

I, just as much as anybody, cringed every time Charlie had Brad Lidge trot out there to blow another save over the past few months. But I mean the guy can't win, right? His loyalty is either what we celebrate or what we denigrate. But Charlie has yanked the plug, at least for now. Maybe he deserves a little more credit for his ability to change than we give him?