The Manny Ramirez Will He or Won't He Get Traded Saga, which has reached such ridiculous proportions that people were discussing a swap of ManRam and Brett Favre (please? pretty please?) was taken to a whole new level on Wednesday evening. Ramirez has always had the "Manny Being Manny" card played for him (he doesn't actually play it himself) but given the latest shots he took at the Boston Red Sox organization that refuses to satisfy his contract demands, it's hard to imagine anyone taking this with an aloof grin and head shake.
"During my years here I've seen how they [the Red Sox] have mistreated other great players when they didn't want them to try to turn the fans against them," Ramirez said in an interview with ESPNdeportes.comYeah, so, that's reasonably awkward. It also means that Theo Epstein has about 18 hours to deal him. Which might mean less than full value. We know he's not going to Philadelphia and while the Florida deal (Josh Willingham or Jeremy Hermida)seemed a little strange ... well suddenly it has caterpillar legs.
"The Red Sox did the same with guys like Nomar Garciaparra and Pedro Martinez, and now they do the same with me. Their goal is to paint me as the bad guy," Ramirez added. "I love Boston fans, but the Red Sox don't deserve me. I'm not talking about money. Mental peace has no price and I don't have peace here."
And, as Prez mentioned today, there's always the (strong?) possibility that Pittsburgh jumps in the middle of the fray to pick up prospects and provide Boston with much less of a left field drop-off in Jason Bay.
However it happens though, it's going to happen tomorrow. It kind of has to. Theo isn't afraid to ship out a popular player and I'm pretty sure he won't let ManRam sabotage Boston's shot at a championship.
Manny Moments
For 15 years Manny Ramirez has been making coaches, fans, and teammates shake their heads in amazement from both his jaw-dropping skills with the bat and his untimely mental lapses. With Ramirez's position in Boston as tenuous as ever, relive some of the more memorable "Manny Moments" from his career.
Charles Krupa, AP
With his future uncertain, Ramirez has been in a very public spat with Boston management over recent weeks. He pulled himself out of the lineup late for a key game with the Yankees Friday, then told reporters he wouldn't block a potential trade. "I'm tired of them, they're tired of me," said the slugger of his relationship with Red Sox brass.
Jim Rogash, Getty Images,Getty Images
Ramirez has had several encounters with the "Green Monster" scoreboard in left field of Fenway Park. Ramirez, seen here peeking out through the door in the "Green Monster," has disappeared into the scoreboard on several occasions during pitching changes, reportedly to make phone calls or relieve himself, despite the fact that there is no bathroom behind the scoreboard.
Charles Krupa, AP
The game on June 5 between Boston and the Rays will probably be better remembered for the bench-clearing brawl, but it also had a "Manny being Manny moment". After the brawl, Ramirez and first baseman Kevin Youkilis had to be separated by teammates in the dugout after the left fielder reportedly told Youkilis to "cut that [expletive] out."
Getty Images
Ramirez turned a routine fly out into a memorable play when he reached into the stands to slap hands with a fan during a game in Baltimore. Ramirez then threw to Dustin Pedroia, whose relay to first doubled off Aubrey Huff. Manny joked about the play after the game. "It was fun. I love it. I think, you know, that's how you get your All-Star vote. I'm pretty sure that guy's gonna vote for me," said Ramirez. "It's one at a time, you know. Get your votes one at a time."
Nick Wass, AP
Ramirez has also been featured in a few strange auction advertisements on eBay. In May 2007, he appeared in a listing that tried to sell an expensive BBQ grill. He later posted a custom Chrysler 300M up for auction.
Winslow Townson, AP
During the 2005 season, the Red Sox faced heavy speculation that Manny would force a trade. But Ramirez erased those doubts when he chopped an RBI single as a pinch hitter versus the Twins, and received a standing ovation 54 minutes after the four o'clock trading deadline had passed. After the game, Ramrez said "It's great, man. They love me here, man. This is the place to be. 'Manny being Manny,' he's great, man."
Charles Krupa, AP
In 2002, while rehabbing with the Pawtucket Red Sox, Ramirez lost his diamond earring sliding into third base. After the game, 13 PawSox players and the Syracuse grounds crew combed the third base area and found the stud, but not the diamond that was reportedly worth $15,000.
Michael Dwyer, AP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
7-30-2008 @ 11:34PM
Moonshine Mike said...
I can't see Manny in Pittsburgh, and I doubt Pgh could either.
I can see Florida, or the Angels (for Mark T whom you may be able to convince to stay in Boston).
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7-30-2008 @ 11:42PM
Brinson said...
Well, he wouldn't go to Pittsburgh. The Pirates would get prospects and be the intermediary for a Marlins-Red Sox deal.
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7-31-2008 @ 12:07AM
George B Vieto said...
I could see Manny Ramirez playing for the Florida Marlins and then coming back to haunt the Red Sox in the 2008 World Series. The Red Sox just got tired of Manny's showboating and want to cut ties with him.
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7-31-2008 @ 1:35AM
R.R. said...
Send him over to the Yankees, baby!
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8-01-2008 @ 12:38PM
ugo said...
Yankees need a left fielder like him
7-31-2008 @ 1:46AM
ACE said...
Not a BoSux fan, but I have to scratch my head and wonder, what does Manny really want, other than a 4 or 5 year extension so he can make another 100,000,000...hell, there are more prima donnas in these sports fields than there are in all of the ballet world. Divas....of the highest order! I have to wonder why one of the hard hitting guys on his own team haven't taken him in the parking lot and beat the living crap out of him when he sat out the two games, when he took the 3 pitches of Mariano without swinging, when he won't run hard around the bases and he makes several tens of thousands per game to run, catch and hit. A utterly studpendous thought for those making minimum wage and sweating every day to do it. He's only one guy but he is f(cking with the entire season for the team...(which by the way I hope they don't win anyhow....I know this is a win situation for me personally,) but you have to wonder if these guys are worth some of the emotional shecz they put their teams through. Thank God NY hasn't tried to go after this nut case...A-rod is diva enough for me already.
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7-31-2008 @ 4:04AM
Gail said...
Trading Manny would be a terrible mistake. I think people are getting carried away and wish they'd settle down so we can get on with the season. Manny said his knee hurt. The MRI showed nothing but so what. Tests aren't always conclusive. Fact is, Manny is a large part of why Boston won the series. Sure there are teams that would love to get him. He's a great player. I would love to see him stay in Boston. How about showing him a little respect, please.
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7-31-2008 @ 12:20PM
TC said...
I agree. There will be no championship in Boston this year without Manny. Ownership has to know this.
7-31-2008 @ 6:34AM
johnny said...
take your money and run little women
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7-31-2008 @ 7:27AM
Lonnie said...
Manny is absolutely correct Red Sox's ownership has always treated its best players like garbage. As for coming to the Yankees, doubtful. He would never clean up his outward appearance.
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7-31-2008 @ 1:24PM
bigflyer said...
$100 MM is plenty of respect for an ageing slugger with the mind of a spoiled 11 year old.
7-31-2008 @ 8:05AM
Alan said...
Manny will be 37 in May of next year and he wants $100,000 for 4 years. What is this guy smoking for crying out loud.
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7-31-2008 @ 8:35AM
DENNIS PACHECO said...
Love to see what Steinbrenner would have done if Manny played for the Yankees and acted out these antics. Still, if Billy Martin was his manager.
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7-31-2008 @ 1:53PM
bob said...
What would Sweinbrenner have done with Manny? If he was hitting well, he would allow him to do and say what he wants. Example? Juicin' Giambi, 2 time confessed steroid user.
7-31-2008 @ 8:36AM
Mike said...
This morning, one of the local Boston TV stations is saying that Boston is sending Manny to Florida, with Florida sending Heredia and prospects to Pittsburg, and Pittsburg sending Bay and a releiver to Boston. They says a Florida paper is reporting that it is a "done deal". Manny has been spoon fed since he got here. Time for the little baby to go.
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7-31-2008 @ 8:46AM
ibustu084 said...
As a loyal Yankee fan the last thing I want to see is a buffon like Manny disrespect,discredit , and disgrace the pinstripes.
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7-31-2008 @ 8:55AM
KC said...
Manny thinks he is bigger than the game, lose the attitude and play ball. If it weren't for baseball he would be another punk thug.
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7-31-2008 @ 9:01AM
kim said...
no other company would put up with any employee, insulting management, so why does boston? throw manny a bone and send him packing. he is not only hurting his teammates, he is hurting all of the redsox fans..everyone is replaceable...
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7-31-2008 @ 9:45AM
stan said...
these babies need to come out into the real world and work for $8.00 an hour. then they would shut there mouths and thank god for all they got.
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7-31-2008 @ 9:48AM
Callie said...
I am a big Manny fan and would hate to see him go. Every year we deal with the Manny being Manny stuff and I have laughed it off. Now hearing him say he wants out, well, he has said that before, but this time it is a bit deeper. I love ya Manny, but if you want to go so badly, go find somewhere else you can be at one with your mental peace. I will miss ya, and will always love ya! Thanks for all you have done for the Red Sox and the best fans in the country!
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