KANSAS CITYJonathan Papelbon came out in support of manager Charlie Manuel at All-Star festivities on Monday. The Phillies closer said the teams struggles are not the fault of the skipper.Its stupid, Papelbon said of the criticism that Manuel has received. The same thing went on with Terry Francona last year in Boston. The players are accountable for themselves. The manager can only do so much.The manager puts the players in the best position to win. Everything else, he has no control over. Hes made great decisions this year.The same thing went on in Boston. I think fans and people in baseball look for excuses and a lot of times the manager takes the brunt of it because hes the head of the horse.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com.