It turns out Charlie Manuel is just like the rest of us.

No, not because he has battled a bulging belly. The newly svelte Manuel lost 50 pounds in the offseason.

He met with the media yesterday for the first time since losing the World Series to the Yankees.

Manuel indicated he would have loved to be able to look at his starting pitching rotation and see both Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee. Didn’t happen.

The Phils signed Halladay, whom Charlie called the best pitcher in baseball. But they dealt Lee to Seattle for some prospects, touching off an emotional backlash from the fans.

Charlie feels your pain. Turns out he felt the same way.

No wonder people like Charlie Manuel.