Did Howard Eskin Plan His Blow-Up with Charlie Manuel?

Did Howard Eskin orchestrate his well-publicized blowup with Phillies manager Charlie Manuel? That's a question a lot of reporters were asking each other this week. From the Philadelphia Inquirer:

The rumor, which circulated throughout the press box, was that Eskin had told a media representative that he would create controversy at the postgame conference.

"That's a flat-out lie," Eskin said yesterday in a telephone interview. "I went in with a completely open mind, never once thinking I would ask the questions I would ask."

The media representative in question agreed with Eskin's story, saying nothing had been said in that regard.

Even if he didn't tell anyone before hand, it's not too difficult to believe that Eskin would go out of his way to make himself part of the story. Watch him as he walks toward Manuel's office in the video down below (after the jump) -- does that sheepish grin not suggest he's knows exactly what's about to follow?

And even if we give Eskin the benefit of the doubt and assume that he didn't go out of his way, he certainly didn't shy away from the media spotlight after the fact, making appearances on ESPN and generally piling his criticism of Manuel on as much as possible -- all the while Manuel refuses to address the issue, aside from admitting that perhaps he shouldn't have taken the bait.

Really, this shouldn't be a story. Eskin isn't a journalist, he's a talk-radio host, and the only thing any talk-radio host is interested in doing is getting people to talk. It's not a coincidence people disagree with these guys, whether it's Don Imus or Colin Cowherd or whatever unknown blowhard resides on your local AM.
Previously on FanHouse:
Charlie Manuel Sends More Surprises
Charlie Manuel vs. Howard Eskin: Who Ya Got?