Tim McCarver is the lead analyst for Fox baseball, thus, he'll be working the entire NLCS and World Series this season, as usual. As long as the Dodgers stay as hot as they are right now, that's a lot of Manny Ramirez to cover ... and apparently ol' Timmy's not a huge supporter of Manny:"It's extraordinary - the dichotomy between what he was in Boston and what he is in Los Angeles," McCarver said. "I mean, talk about wearing out your welcome in a town, and it was a long welcome with the Red Sox. But some of the things he did were simply despicable, despicable - like not playing, refusing to play. Forgetting what knee to limp on. And now it's washed, it's gone."So tell us how you really feel, Tim. Wow. He spewed venom about as much as a woman would when you tell her you don't like Grey's Anatomy -- especially if you say those two dudes are ugly. I guess McCarver didn't get the memo that the media is supposed to be in the middle of a love affair with Manny Ramirez right now. Didn't you hear? He's, like, the best player ever.
Honestly, I can't say I disagree much with McCarver's assessment -- a phrase I sincerely never thought I'd mutter, much less put in writing for all posterity to view. I don't know about the fake-limping accusation, but Manny really flipped a switch immediately when he was traded. It really seems like he was tanking for the Red Sox, and it's hard for me to respect someone -- especially with Manny's God-given hitting ability -- to purposely play with less than full effort in order to be traded.
The really interesting thing to see in the NLCS broadcasts concerning this situation will be if McCarver gets this nasty with Ramirez for a significantly larger audience, or if he backs off a bit. We'll see, but I'm guessing he's not quite as "tough guy" about it.
Wait, before I wrap this up, I want to agree with McCarver again ...
"Every sport, there have been people who have held organizations hostage, whether it be Terrell Owens or Randy Moss or Manny Ramirez," McCarver said.Twice in one day. Now I've seen everything.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
10-08-2008 @ 3:02PM
sam said...
Oh well talk about a guy full of himself,I don't think he ever tires of how great he thinks he was,Manny is head and shoulders a better player,he should just slowly fade into the woodwork
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10-08-2008 @ 3:13PM
Jorge said...
LB..what are you talking about? we did everything to keep him happy. Im a huge red sox fan, and a former manny fan.
What he did this year was despicable. All of this happen because the red sox would not guarantee either his two years, or him being a free agent at the end of the year...
this guy is selfish. I don't care if he doesn't respect the game...atleast respect your teammates and play everyday, like you are paid to do.
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10-08-2008 @ 3:18PM
Emma said...
Grey's Anatomy blows.
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10-08-2008 @ 3:51PM
tedflex said...
i hope manny sticks it to boston, do they really think big poopi is going to put those crazy numbers without manny protecting him in the line up.......
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10-08-2008 @ 5:57PM
Phil said...
Well said Ted. I agree, with what you said. I'm a Yankee and a BASEBALL FAN, I don't get so deep into OMG I hate the SOX, I don't do that. Manny was not welcome in Boston, so he moved on, end of story.
10-08-2008 @ 3:56PM
Padrick said...
So Man-Ram strokes 20 home runs and an .927 OPS and 138 OPS + in 100 games with the Sox, but he was dogging it?
That is quite impressive.
Also, I know he was filthy in LA, but its less than half a season, and he has always been a slightly better second-half player, and fluke stretches like this happen all the time.
Is he actually a 213 OPS+ player? Absolutely not. He will come back down to earth either in the NLCS or next season, and not because he is tired of trying, but because he will just gravitate toward his norm.
I hate that McCarver sucks all the time, and then will turn around and say something cogent in the seventh inning. He should quit loafing around and step his game up all the time.
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10-08-2008 @ 3:59PM
Mary said...
LB: You must not have followed the Red Sox for the last couple of weeks before the trade. Manny's actions were reprehensible. He faked an injury so not to play. On any given day, he would limp on one side or the other...poor sportsmanship, poor team player.
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10-08-2008 @ 4:06PM
Ron said...
L.A. is the greatest sport's town in the nation!!! Manny's at the crest of all the attention. It's all good here!!! It would be GREAT to see the Red Sox and Dodgers in the Series!!!
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10-08-2008 @ 11:15PM
Joe said...
Yea, LA is such a great sports town with two Football teams and all..ohh wait. Two Baseball teams, well one and Aniheim. And that Hockey team that everyone supports...ummm...and two Basketball teams too; the good one and that other one from SD.....GO LAKERS! GOOD SPORTS TOWN!
10-08-2008 @ 4:27PM
A. Gray said...
Manny has not changed!
Unlike his former teammate in Boston (Johnny Damon), did Manny follow Dodger team rules (i.e. hair lenght, dress code, etc.) when he began playing for Joe Torre?
Too bad he will be remembered for his self centered acts of non compliance (own dressing area instead of being with rest of team.....the list goes on and on) rather than the talent he possesses.
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10-08-2008 @ 4:28PM
sue said...
I think this must e the first time I have ever agreed with 'ol Tim......I have often wondered what people around the country think of Manny and what he did to his team mates and fans. It seemed like everyone was pretending that nothing happened and "business as usual". Manny is using his time in L.A. to set himself up for a big contract. It is damage control and nothing else. Maybe if more sports people should call Manny out for what he did and how he acted..It really was a rotten thing to do. He broke the hearts of millions of little kids not to mention big kids....No one ever wants to believe their hero is a bum.......But he is. and RSN came to terms with that in July...One more note: All the celebrations at Fenway, Or St. Louis, Yankees Stadium, Colorado, Manny was never present. He is putting on a good show right now. Trying to endure himself to some team so they will shell out the big bucks. If I was a pitcher I would walk him everytime. Never pitch to him again........
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10-08-2008 @ 4:48PM
NeonDon said...
Let's see..hmmm...Nomar Garciaparra, Albert Belle, Frank Thomas, Javey Lopez, Roberto Alomar, Jim Thome, Barry Bonds (Pittsburgh), Gary Sheffield, Jose Canseco, Cliff Floyd, Jeff Kent, and that's only scratching the surface, not including pitchers and going back only about 10-15 years (not even as far back as Reggie Jackson) and only baseball. Naw, only Manny Ramirez has dogged it from time to time to get out of a place that didn't appreciate his value to them. And "opinionating," if I may, is what McCarver is supposed to do, going back to and before Howard Cosell. Though I know some prefer, leg-licking, one-sided opinioned "homies" like Ken Harrelson and bland "no opinions" like Vin Scully.
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10-08-2008 @ 5:13PM
Matt Snyder said...
So.....that makes it right?
10-08-2008 @ 9:34PM
DBrim said...
...did you just call Vin Scully bland? You, sir, have no taste in announcers.
10-08-2008 @ 4:52PM
CJohnHC said...
Much has been said about Manny, much more could, should be said on his negative behaviour. That said the one thing not mentioned was his taking down the traveling secretary, team, a 64 year old man over tickets. He should have been suspended by the team, seeing they were gutless, the baseball commisioner should have intervened but he was also gutless to act. A wonderful demonstration to our youngsters of how society has perfected the double standard,
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10-08-2008 @ 4:53PM
kurt ganter said...
As a Red Sox fan, I have watched as Manny Ramirez used up all of the good will shown to him and became increasingly sullen and childish. Talented? Yes. Rich? Yes. A spoiled, immature, pompous jackass? Absolutely!
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10-08-2008 @ 4:54PM
The Fighting Irish said...
Manny Ramirez represents cheating, rude, dishonest, and always wants his way. Wanting sixteen Mlb tickets for free?!?
Then he pushes the old sixty year old man for not letting him get the tickets for free. Manny Ramirez is disrespectful to MLB, by faking his injury. The Boston Red Sox has respect for all teams, and players in MLB who respects baseball. Not chumps who think they can cheat, lie, fake an injury, and molesting a sixty year old man for sixteen Red Sox tickets.
Imagine people if that sixty year old man was your grandfather?!? What type of person is that?!?
The Boston Red Sox is a great American team, and have a positive spirit. You could see, and feel the energy, of the very motivated Red Sox team when they play baseball. The Red Sox make the best role models for the young generation. Incredible team work, and love for each other. Very good sportsman ship. I'm from New York City, and I had a good time in Boston, really nice place, and people. I'm proud to be a Red Sox fan.
Lot's of Boston fans all over with love for the Red Sox.
We broke the evil curse together God Bless The Red Sox:)
Let's Go Red Sox! 2007-08 :)
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10-08-2008 @ 4:54PM
gd said...
I'll always be a Manny fan. I even feel he is a slighly above avg. defender. But I grieve for baseball, Boston, the Bosox & myself when I recall the last month of his career as a Red Sox. He cheated the game and all fans past, presaent & future. In short, you NEVER cheat the game.
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10-08-2008 @ 5:02PM
Kevin said...
I think manny is a great player. i'm a big dodger fan and i feel he has made everyone step there game up. i hope to see boston and la in the world series...
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10-08-2008 @ 8:00PM
Shezowa said...
Manny is just one example of how our great society has taken a backseat to greed and self promotion. While he was a Red Sox, I was willing to look the otherway, which was wrong. I can now see him for what he is and that is a selfish, greedy person. He has schooled me to look at this whole idea of American celebrity and it's not a pretty site. Our society values are all messed up. Maybe our economic woes will bring back our sanity and something good can come from this mess we have brought on ourselves looking the other way when corporate executives have done the same thing. God Bless America and forgive us for our sins!!