Manny Being Manny...With a Twist

Scour the internet. Bleacher Report. MLB.com. Redsox.com. The Boston Globe. The Boston Herald. Every columnist, insider, fan journalist, and blogger will attest to the recent Manny Ramirez trade rumors as another example of 'Manny Being Manny'.

Every ground ball he doesn't run out: just Manny Being Manny.

Every mishap in the outfield: just Manny Being Manny.

Every argument with Kevin Youkilis: just Manny Being Manny.

Every cell phone break in the Monster: just Manny Being Manny.

From each of the above uses, it is obvious that 'Manny Being Manny' means one of two things: Either Manny Ramirez is one of baseball's great supervillians, tearing apart the respect and dignity of the game as we know it; or, he is a complete buffoon who is a total baseball liability until a bat is in his hands. Most believe the latter.

But Manny Ramirez might just be the biggest tease to come out of Boston since Diane left Cheers.

After telling ESPN Deportes that he'd accept a trade if Boston found a potential suitor, Ramirez stepped to bat against the New York Yankees and ripped a first-pitch Sidney Ponson fastball into right-centerfield, scoring Kevin Youkilis and striking first in the rubber game of their series.

On the next play, Manny became Manny, as he ran through a DeMarlo Hale stop sign at third base and was nearly thrown out at the plate on a Mike Lowell single.

Ramirez for so long has crippled the Boston Red Sox with his antics and attitude. Every incident, however, quickly becomes water under the bridge because Manny continues to do what Manny does best: hit.

With Ramirez' bat in the lineup, the Red Sox have reached the playoffs in four of the last six years, and have won two World Series championships. Manny was even the MVP of its first championship in 2004.

Manny Ramirez is no fool. He knows his value in New England, which is why Red Sox management has been held hostage by the slugger ever since he arrived in 2001. He'll hit his 25 and drive in 100 and do just about whatever he pleases, so long as he is able to mash.

If you don't like it, fine. Manny is more than willing to be Manny somewhere else. Because that's what it means for Manny to be Manny. If you're not on board with his antics, he'll show you what you're going to miss once he's gone.

So, get lost in the aura of the cell phone calls, the Johnny Damon cut-offs, and the game of 'the ball is lava' (see photo) he played during a game against the Los Angeles Angels. 

Hate on his locks or his baggy pants or the way he looks at every home run he hits with defiance as he walks those first few steps out of the box for dramatic effect, often with hands raised to the heavens. Because the second you complain about Manny Ramirez, he'll bat an eyelash at Sam and Coach behind the bar and walk out at closing time with Frasier. He'll crush another fastball in a Red Sox win and make you forget about hating on the man.

Because it's just Manny being Manny. 

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?