Talking T-shirts & Baseball with Charlie Manuel

Charlie Manuel and his wife Melissa “Missy” Martin joined the gang in studio on Friday to talk about Charlie’s new line of Hog Island Press shirts “Charlie Knows Best.” The shirts sport Charlie’s favorite sayings, such as “Empty Head, Bull Bat,” “If You’re Hot Stay Hot if You’re Cold Get Hot,” and “The Party is Out Front, Why Be Late?” Scroll down to watch the full interview. 

Speaking of fashion, did you know Charlie dabbled in modelling early in his career? It sounds unreal, but it is. He starred in the first ever Sony Walkman commercial during his playing career Japan.

Charlie spent quite a bit of time in Japan. Manuel's baseball career took off when he left the United States to play there. Wildly popular for his tenacious style of play and his power-hitting abilities, Manuel was dubbed "Aka-Oni" (The Red Devil) by fans and teammates. Baseball was very big there, getting about 4 million viewers per game!

Charlie talked to the gang about how much baseball has changed since he was a player. From the sidelines, he’s had time to reflect on all that he knows. Managing gave him a whole new perspective on the game. Charlie says his best advice is to “know thyself,” especially when it comes to player specialty.

He and his wife both live the game of baseball and watch it frequently, but just because he loves the game, doesn't mean he loves the venues games are held in…He got to discussing his favorite and least favorite stadiums in the country.

Charlie said that the Fenway Park was one of the worst ballparks along with Wrigley Ballpark. The clubhouse is Fenway was made to be bare-bones. The manager doesn't even have an office, just a desk. They made it that way because they wanted to make the players mad while they were in there. Citizens bank and Yankee Stadium are some of the nicest he’s been in. The grossness of the bad ballparks helped with something he emphasizes in his players, mental toughness.

Mental toughness is so important for players to be able to play their best. Charlie has many nuggets of wisdom for players and fans alike. We guess Charlie really does “know best,” as his shirts say.

There will be a release party for Charlie’s Hog Island Press Shirts at Monkey’s Uncle on Wednesday the 5th at 7pm. Proceeds will go towards RIP Medical Debt, a national nonprofit who help strengthen communities by abolishing burdensome medical debt.