Jerry Manuel is a former Major League Baseball player and manager who had a successful career in the sport. He was born on December 23, 1953, in Hahira, Georgia, and grew up in Sacramento, California. Manuel played college baseball at Sacramento City College before being drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 16th round of the 1972 MLB draft.
Manuel made his MLB debut with the Tigers in 1975 and played for them until 1977. He then played for the Montreal Expos in 1978 before being traded to the San Diego Padres in 1979. Manuel played for the Padres until 1982 before finishing his playing career with the Yakult Swallows in Japan from 1983 to 1984.
After retiring as a player, Manuel began his coaching career in the minor leagues. He worked his way up through the ranks and eventually became a coach for the Chicago White Sox in 1991. In 1998, he was named the team's manager and led them to a division title in his first season. Manuel managed the White Sox until 2003 and then went on to manage the New York Mets from 2008 to 2010.
During his managerial career, Manuel was known for his calm demeanor and his ability to connect with his players. He was also known for his strategic thinking and his willingness to make bold moves when necessary. Manuel's teams were often competitive and he was able to lead the White Sox to their first division title in ten years.
After leaving the Mets in 2010, Manuel continued to work in baseball as a special assistant to the general manager for the San Diego Padres. He also worked as an analyst for MLB Network and ESPN.
Overall, Jerry Manuel had a successful career in baseball as both a player and a manager. He was able to connect with his players and lead his teams to success on the field. Manuel's contributions to the sport will not be forgotten and he will always be remembered as a respected figure in the baseball community.
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