Jerry Manuel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jerry Manuel
Manuel as Mets coach in 2007
Second baseman / Manager
Born: (1953-12-23) December 23, 1953 (age 71) Hahira, Georgia, U.S.
Batted: Switch Threw: Right
debut
September 18, 1975, for the Detroit Tigers
Last appearance
May 30, 1982, for the San Diego Padres
MLB statistics
Batting average	.150
Home runs	3
Runs batted in	13
Managerial record	704–684
Winning %	.507
Teams
As player Detroit Tigers (1975–1976) Montreal Expos (1980–1981) San Diego Padres (1982) As manager Chicago White Sox (1998–2003) New York Mets (2008–2010) As coach Montreal Expos (1991–1996) Florida Marlins (1997) New York Mets (2005–2008)
Career highlights and awards
World Series champion (1997) AL Manager of the Year (2000)

Jerry Lorenzo Manuel Sr. (born December 23, 1953) is an American former professional baseball player and manager. He was nicknamed "the Sage" because of his wise approach to the game. Jerry played as a second baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the Detroit Tigers, Montreal Expos, and San Diego Padres.

After his playing days, Jerry became a manager for the Chicago White Sox and New York Mets. He also coached for the Expos, Florida Marlins, and Mets. Today, he works as a baseball expert for MLB Network. His son, Jerry Lorenzo, is a famous fashion designer.

Jerry Manuel's Playing Days

Jerry Manuel played in the major leagues from 1975 to 1982. He mostly played as a second baseman. He didn't play in many games, only 96 in total.

During his playing career, Jerry had 127 chances to bat. His batting average was .150, meaning he got a hit 15% of the time. He hit three home runs and helped his team score 13 runs.

Even though his time as a player was short, Jerry was the starting second baseman for the Montreal Expos in 1981. That year, the Expos won their only postseason series ever. Jerry played in that series, but he was replaced by another player later on.

Before joining the pros, Jerry Manuel and Mike Ondina made history in 1972. They were the first two high school teammates ever picked in the first round of the MLB draft. Both went to Cordova High School in Rancho Cordova, California.

Jerry Manuel's Coaching and Managing Career

After he stopped playing, Jerry Manuel became a coach. He held many different coaching jobs over six years.

In 1985, the Chicago White Sox hired him to find new talent in Northern California. The next year, he joined the Montréal Expos team. He stayed with the Expos organization for 11 years.

In 1986, Jerry became a player and coach for the Indianapolis Indians. This team was the Expos' Triple-A team, which is just one step below the major leagues. For the next three years, he taught infield players and helped organize the Expos' minor league teams.

In 1990, Jerry Manuel became a manager for the first time. He managed the Jacksonville Expos, which was the Expos' Double-A team. He led them to a great record of 84 wins and 60 losses. Because of his success, he was named the league's manager of the year!

Moving Up to the Major Leagues

After his successful year in Double-A, Jerry Manuel moved up to manage the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians in 1991. But halfway through that season, he was called up to the Montreal Expos major league team. He became their third base coach. This ended his minor league managing career, where he had a total of 112 wins and 82 losses.

Jerry stayed as the Expos' third base coach until 1996. In 1997, he joined the Florida Marlins as a bench coach. A bench coach helps the manager with strategy during games. That year, the Marlins won the 1997 World Series, which is baseball's biggest championship!

Managing the Chicago White Sox

A month after winning the World Series, Jerry Manuel signed a deal to become the manager of the Chicago White Sox. He managed the White Sox for six seasons. During that time, his teams won 500 games.

In the year 2000, Jerry led the White Sox to 95 wins. They finished first in their division, the American League Central. Because of his great work, Jerry was named the American League's Manager of the Year. The White Sox had the best record in the American League that year, but they lost in the playoffs.

Jerry was known for managing with good communication and trusting his gut feelings. Once, he chose a player named Jeff Abbott to bat in a close game. Abbott wasn't hitting well that year, but Jerry had a good feeling about him from watching him practice. Jerry said, "If you have a feel, you've got to go with it." And it worked! Abbott got a hit.

In 2003, the White Sox started slowly. Even though they traded for a star player, Bartolo Colon, they struggled. Jerry Manuel was fired at the end of that season.

A baseball card from 2003 described Jerry as a "sage influence and respected leader." It also noted that he and Ken Williams were the first African-American General Manager and manager team in MLB history.

Coaching and Managing the New York Mets

Manuel with Dewayne Staats on June 19, 2009.

After leaving the White Sox, Jerry Manuel joined the New York Mets in 2005. He started as the first base and outfield coach. In 2006, he became the Mets' bench coach.

Jerry always wanted to manage again. In 2007, he announced a plan to start a baseball program at William Jessup University in California. He said he would manage the team there if he didn't get another major league managing job.

Becoming the Mets Manager

On June 17, 2008, the Mets fired their manager, Willie Randolph. Jerry Manuel was then named the interim manager, meaning he would manage the team temporarily.

In 2008, the Mets were in a close race for their division title. But they lost some key games at the end of the season. They missed out on the playoffs in the very last game played at Shea Stadium.

Even though they missed the playoffs, the Mets liked Jerry's work. On October 3, 2008, he signed a two-year deal to stay as the Mets' full-time manager.

However, on October 4, 2010, the Mets announced that Jerry Manuel would not return for the 2011 season.

Jerry Manuel's Managerial Record

Jerry Manuel managed two Major League Baseball teams: the Chicago White Sox and the New York Mets. Here's a look at his record:

Life After MLB

After his time in Major League Baseball, Jerry Manuel returned home to California. He started the Jerry Manuel Foundation. This foundation helps young African-American men get a good education and learn baseball skills.

On January 16, 2014, Jerry was named the Director of Baseball Operations at William Jessup University. This is the same university where he had planned to start a baseball program years earlier.

Jerry also helped coach Team USA in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.