All of this "Manny being Manny" stuff is lighthearted and fun, as long as the Red Sox are winning. It's not so enjoyable or funny when they lose. That's just the way it is.
Fortunately for the Nation, winning is what they do. World Series titles in 2004 and 2007 have turned much of what Manny has done into a sort of side circus, a carnival.
One minute he catches a flyball, the next minute he is high-fiving the fans in the outfield before remembering to fire the ball back to first to double up the runner.
Ah, let's reminisce, shall we?
In 2003, Manny was spotted in a bar when he was supposedly too sick to play. During the season, he expressed a desire to be traded to the Yankees. He also refused to pinch-hit in a game that year.
In 2004, Manny missed a game to become an American citizen. His first game back, he carried a flag around the field. He was selected as MVP of the World Series for the Sox.
On July 21, 2004, from his spot in left-center field, Manny inexplicably made a diving play to cut off a relay throw from center fielder Johnny Damon, allowing David Newhan of the Orioles to score on an inside-the-park home run.
This event is widely considered by many fans of Red Sox Nation to be the most popular Manny moment.
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In 2005, Manny once again expressed a desire to be traded and threatened not to show up for Spring Training.
On July 18, 2005, Ramirez disappeared into the "Green Monster" during a visit to the mound by pitching coach Dave Wallace with two outs in the top of the sixth inning.
When pitcher Wade Miller was ready to resume pitching, Ramirez was nowhere to be found.
In 2006, he hit his 450th home run and got his 2,000 career hit.
In 2007, Manny had a below average season, hitting only 20 home runs. But he was great in the postseason as the Sox went on the once again win the World Series.
So far this season, Manny has hit his 500th career home run. But he has also had physical altercations with teammate Kevin Youkilis and Red Sox traveling secretary Jack McCormick. He has been seen talking on a cell phone during a pitching change.
On July 15, 2008, Manny drew the wrath of Red Sox owner John Henry for comments made to the Boston Herald, where he hinted that team management had not been up front with him in regards to upcoming contract negotiations.
Henry responded angrily the following day, saying Manny was a critical part of the Sox's 2004 and 2007 world championships, and that the team always kept Manny in the loop.
On the one hand, he is a great hitter and a sure-fire future Hall of Famer. But he can also be...well, Manny.
So, do the Sox pick up his $20 million option for next year? I think they will, but only time will tell. Hitters like Ramirez don't grow on trees, but the way he acts sometimes, you'd think he was up a tree.
While the Sox struggle to decide whether to keep Jason Varitek because of what he's meant to the team character-wise and as a leader, despite declining offensive production, Manny's attributes are somewhat different.
You might say that Manny's future is in his own hands. If he stays healthy and productive, and can stay out of further trouble, he will be a Red Sox for at least one more year.
For while it's true that Manny Ramirez started his career in Cleveland, it's hard to envision him playing anywhere else but Beantown. Still, that's a heck of a lot of money on the table, so my advice to Manny is to be "Manny the great hitter", not "Manny the goof".
Despite the trade requests, I think Manny desperately wants to stay in Boston. Come to think of it, he'd better clean up his act, or his next Manny moment might be in New York with Omar Minaya.
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about 1 month ago
Totally agree. Like I wrote in my article, Manny being Manny doesn't bother me, unless it's hurting something.
Great article!
about 1 month ago
I a story once while he was in CLeveland. He asked a clubhouse attendant to wash his car and for doing it he had a gift for him in the glove compartment. Turns out it was an entire paycheck. This was way before the $20 million days, but a substantial amount of money. I can't remember the full details or what the clubhouse guy did, but it was one of many stories while in Cleveland.
As I write that the most hilarious pops in my head. When the O.J. Simpson Bronco chase was going down all those years ago, he came into the clubhouse and asked what everyone was watching on the TV. They told him it was OJ, and that he was being chased because he was a suspect in a murder. Manny's response, "Chad Ogea?!" He thought that they meant Ogea who was one of the Indians starting pitchers at the time.
God I love these stories. Manny is one of the most interesting characters and hitters of all-time. No question about it.
about 1 month ago
Good info Bob. One Mann story that I will always remember involved the music he chose when he is introduced before each at-bat. I remember hearing he chose some rap song tha had s profanity word in it and the song was still played throughout the entire stadium. Not only did the organization fail to listen to the song before playing it in front of all of the fans, but Manny also failed to notify anyone about the profanity.
Like you said, when the Red Sox are winning, Manny just needs to keep hitting and everything else he does will become secondary, even if it is something as vile as pushing and old man to the ground.
One part I disagree on is the Sox picking up his option. I really think this is Manny's last year. Boston is loaded with outfielders and if they can make a trade, as rumored, for Mark Teixeira, or Matt Holliday, then Manny is for sure gone. We'll see.....If I were Theo, there's no way I let Manny leave. He is an icon in Boston and would look silly in a different uniform.
about 1 month ago
Like I said on Edward Jackman's article on this subject:
Manny is not a bad guy, he is just different from your normal major league player who just plays the game. Manny plays a game while playing the game, which you can't find with any other player on any other team right now.
Also, it isn't like Manny is costing the Red Sox any games from his actions, he is productive and has fun with what he does. Smart Red Sox fans know that the production that they get from Manny is completely worth enjoying his antics compared to seeing him go to another team and have Manny beat up on them.
I know lots of Red Sox fans and they enjoy Manny because they are the only team that has such an original player, and they take pride in that.
I know a 7 year old boy who knows more about the red sox than anyone on this website, including the tour guides at Fenway. His favorite player on the team and in the league overall is Manny. He wears his dreads and dew rag just like Manny, and Ortiz took a picture of him and sent it to Manny at an autograph session. These are the fans I know and they love Manny becuase of what fun he brings to the game. They allow this fun because he is one of the best natural hitters in the game and he doesn't disappoint when it counts.
Why send him to another team where he will play against you when you control his destiny for another year? We can talk about this if his career goes south or when he gets ready to become a free agent.
about 1 month ago
Manny is a great outfeilder and hitter and the coaches should stick with what they have,
unless they will get another awsome player like him.
about 1 month ago
i would hate to see manny go, i love him
his antics make him seem like a real person, he isn't playing the game to make ownership or the league or the fans happy, he is playing to make himself happy and to do what he can to help his teammates win games.
i don't mind the fact that manny and youk had an altercation, i'm sure they've resolved the issue
so what if he talks on his cell phone during pitching changes, where in the rules does it say he can't do that?
there is no problem with manny's game or personality, i actually wish there were more baseball players like him, it would probably make the game a lot more interesting
one last thing, he doesn't play for the uptight yankees, so manny is allowed to just, be manny
about 1 month ago
Great Read, Bob. Thanks for listing all the circus stuff Manny has done. He's MLB's version of Chad Johnson. When they do their jobs, you can't help but laugh at what they do and your pissed at them when they don't.
about 1 month ago
I have to agree with what you said.
about 1 month ago
A good read, and a great summary, Bob. I think you're right about Manny really wanting to stay in Boston, and I absoutely hope Boston keeps him. His three hits tonight were just another reminder that the antics and so on are barely an afterthought, when it comes to his role on the team. Manny does keep things lively. Fine by me. And really, is there anyone out there who has more fun playing the game? I love having Manny around. I love that he's a character, that he loves what he does, that he laughs at himself along with the rest of us. And yeah, I /really/ love the way he hits.
about 1 month ago
I just think guys like Manny are good for the game. But you watch - if he starts to decline, those light hearted moments will become something bad and be used as reasons not to bring him back. It happened to Sammy Sosa...once you're not contributing it's very much a 'what have you done for me lately' type of business.
about 1 month ago
They should excerise both his options by then he'll be almost 39, thats the perfect time to either let him go or sign him for another year or 2.
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