I can’t believe I’m doing this. As a die-hard Yankees fan I have absolutely no business defending anything within 100 miles of Red Sox Nation. Unfortunately the responses regarding Manny Ramirez’s admiration of his own homerun against Cleveland in the ALCS has brought me the brink of athletic sacrilege.
In case you missed it (or live on Planet Man-Ram which is the imaginary home of Manny as envisioned by Jim Rome), the wildly eccentric Ramirez watched adoringly as his homerun traveled majestically through the night sky over Jacobs Field. Never mind that this only reduced the deficit to 7-3 in the Indians favor. Never mind that this capped back-to back- to back homeruns that included blasts from Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz. Never mind that it was done in the national spotlight of post-season baseball. Never mind that it was one of the most impressive homeruns that anyone could ever hope to see. Never mindthat it was the intellectually challenged Manny that broke one of those notorious “unwritten rules”. Rule breakers must be punished (sarcasm alert).
There’s a reason those rules aren’t written. It’s because they’re dumb and they typically bother wimps with sticks stuck up their butts the most. Take some other scenarios in baseball that are widely frowned upon. For example, it’s been said that a player should never bunt to break up a no-hitter. Oh really now? If a pitcher wants to hurl a no-no then he better “know-know” how to field his position.
How about the belief that it's improper to swing away on a 3-0 count when your team holds a big lead? That sounds counter-productive to me. The pitcher is probably going to throw a cookie and a batter is supposed to just let it slide by? The pitcher put himself in that hole in the first place. Besides, he’ll probably follow the first cookie up with an equally enticing Oreo Double Stuff on the ensuing 3-1 pitch… but it’s okay if the batter swings at that one. What an asinine concept.
Another one I just don’t get is the disdain people have for players that make attempts at stealing signs. Maybe a team should do a better job disguising their signals and then they wouldn’t have anything to worry about. Hmmm…does that mean I’m sticking up for New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick in a round about sort of way? I think I’m about to make myself sick just considering it. Forgive me New York.
There are several more of these unenforceable standards that many people hold sacred. “Act like you’ve been there before when scoring a touchdown in football” & “Don’t run the full court press with a big lead in basketball” come to mind. Who cares that touchdowns are typically hard to come by or that the full court press helped get the lead in the first place? These acts are totally classless and warrant swift retaliation (sarcasm alert #2).
Which brings us back full circle to Mr. Ramirez. The most commonly held opinion about his elongated homerun trot from the other night is that C.C. Sabathia of the Cleveland Indians should promptly drill Manny with a 95 MPH fastball when he comes to the plate in Game 5 of the ALCS…and preferably right on his ear. How’s that for totally classless? See what you get for watching your own homerun. A homerun that made everybody who saw it say “Holy ####”. If I could hit a ball like that you’d better believe that I’d watch it too. But no…Manny should be sensitive and show compassion for the pitcher’s witty-bitty hurt feelings. NEWS FLASH: serving up a meatball to Manny IS NOT a good idea.
Let’s not forget that this is Manny Ramirez we’re talking about. As corny and tired as the “Manny Being Manny” cliche has become… the shoe does fit…and if the shoe does fit then we must acquit. Hey, if the glove thing worked for O.J. then this defense should certainly work for Man-Ram. Not to make excuses for him but face it people… he’s a dimwitted nitwit and his actions over time have been as redundant as the term I just called him.
Keep in mind his oddball track record. He often likes to hang out during pitching changes at Fenway Park… behind the Green Monster. He commented in 2003 that he would one day like to play… for the Yankees. While in left field during 2004 he dove to cut off a throw…from centerfielderJohnny Damon which resulted in an inside the park homerun. He once requested a trade… to Boston’s AAA team. On the day the trade deadline passed in 2005 Manny stated, “Boston was the place to be”…even though it was widely reported that he had been trying to force his way out of Bean Town.
If Manny was a stereotype for Halloween he’d be a ditzy blonde… and ditzy blondes all over America should be very insulted by the fact that I just wrote that.
Maybe I’m crazy or maybe I just have a soft spot in my heart for those whose brains are a wee bit slow on the uptake. My own mind must definitely be slipping if I’m sticking up for a guy who plays for the Chowdah-Heads… but that’s not the point. Just leave the guy alone already. He’s not too smart and probably has a mid-level IQ at best. All he did was break a rule that doesn’t exist in the first place. A rule by that way that is idiotic to begin with.
As simplistically moronic as Ramirez may seem, he is right about something else. If the Red Sox go on and lose to Cleveland, it really isn't the end of the world. Now go and rip him a new one for that too. It obviously means that he likes losing (sarcasm alert #3).
Man-He sure can rake though. Get it…Man-He instead of Manny? Oh well, the jokes can’t all be winners but that sure was one hell of a home run the other night. It was a winner even in defeat… and admit it…you’d have watched it for a while too.
I admit it, and while I had to laugh watching Manny stand at the plate with his hands in the air in a victorious pose, I also cringed with the score being 7-3.
It's all part of the whole Manny experience, which is simultaneously exciting, horrifying, awe-inspiring, comedic and frustrating....good post, as always....
Half-baked---Great to hear from you. It's been awhile for blogging for me but you really took some time off.
You put it well with Manny. If some other player did what he did the other night I might feel differently. I just wonder when people are going to stop being surprised at the things he does. To me "intent" is everything. I simply find it hard to believe that he is ever intentionally trying to be dumb. It just seems to come naturally to him and for that he gets a a pass from me. It's like being mad at a goofy kid or something.
Hope we see each other around some more in the coming weeks.
sportthink---For Manny I could probably "overlook" most of his escapades on my team. As I implied to Half Baked, I might consider his offenses more seriously if I took him more seriously.
Maybe I'm wrong and it's just an excuse but it's like he loses (or just doesn't have) an awareness of how his actions make him look silly. He just lives in the moment, fleeting as it is, and there is something twistedly refreshing in that.
Thanks for checking out this blog and I very much appreciated being included in your bloggers list. It was inspirational to get back in the mix to say the least, as my arm is feeling better.
I'M A DIE CLEVELND INDIANS FAN. HAVING SAID THAT, MANNY RAMIREZ IS AND HAS BEEN MY FAVORITE PLAYER FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER. IF IT WERN'T FOR BOSTON PLAYIN MY TRIBE, I PROB. WOULD BE ROOTING FOR THEM, ESPECIALLY IF THEY WERE PLAYING THE YANKEES! SO DID IT MATTER THAT MANNY EXCESSIVLY CELEBRATED, NOT AT ALL BY MY STANDARDS. GO TRIBE!!!
Manny, come to Chicago, either team will do. We will love you hear. Manny crushed that ball. He should have stood at the plate and waited until it returned from around the world. For those who got bent out of shape, you try hitting one that hard and that long and tell me if you wouldn't stand there a gaze.......
I'd not only put one in his ear the next time I pitched to him, I would do it everytime I pitched to him.
You think Pudge Fisk would've let 'Manny be Manny'?
There would've been a knock down drag out and only one would've been left standing if Pudge were still around.
BTW I'm a lifelong Yankee fan (first game was in 1968, twinight doubleheader against Detroit which the Yanks lost both ends) and I cheered when Pudge got all over Deion Sanders for not running out a groundball.
I don't think he should be knocked down at all. He didn't mean any harm in what he did. Manny is truly a halfwhit who didn't realize the scoreboard. Case in point. When A-rod hit a homer in game 4 versus the indians he barely celebrated at all knowing that they were still down by four runs. The only thing that makes sense was that Manny had a flashback to his Indians days and thought he put the Indians ahead 7-3 when he hit the shot and peeped at the scoreboard (lol). Otherwise, I don't care if you hit a 600 footer, if it is meaningless in the context of the scoreboard, if it is not a 5 run homerun which is what they needed to tie the game, then you quietly jog the bases and hope and pray that the rest of your team gets on a hot streak with the bats to get you back in the game.
I WISH IT WAS THE ROCKET HE HIT THE HOMER OFF OF,AND HAD TO FACE HIM AGAIN,ANYTIME,ANYWERE..THAT WOULD WAKE HIS HORSE HAIR HEAD UP..AFTER HE WOKE UP,AND BLINKED FOR A MONTH AN STUDERED AWHILE..HE WOULD THINK TWICE BEFORE HE DID IT AGAIN..I REMEMBER IF YOU DIDNT RUN AROUND THE BASES AFTER A HOMER,WAS A NO NO...THE GOOD OLD DAYS..
Anyone who has played sports in a competitive environment knows your team feeds off emotion. If they came back and won, it could have been because of that jump start. I doubt that is what he was trying to do, but you never know. When a pitcher stares at a batter after a strike out. I agree with the article, who cares about the feelings of the pitcher? You just care about winning. All in all, it was not that bad.
First, this article seems to drift quite a bit between several topics, but all are ultimately related, and that is there are many Red Sox fans that are pissed, as there are Yankee fans. The Indians, for all intensive purposes, seem to be having a cinderella season.
The fact that you have this mental midget celebrating like he's just won the game is only because he can't count.
Act like you been there before, and you'll be there again, that's class. Celebrating when your team is taking a severe A double S whipping is only showing that you are not there for the fans, nor the team, but your own self promotion.
It's not the end of the world if Boston loses? Nice winning attitude, the precise one that is destroying professional sports. You're paid either way, so who cares right? Time for pay for performance.
I wonder if Manny makes the same gestures while he's cooking up hamburgers on his grill like he does when he hits a homerun.. the hamburger's still raw and his team's still down 7-3. Classic case of Manny being Manny on his own Planet Man-Ram.
I believe this homerun also set a record for back to back to back in the post season. It also could have served to get into the pitcher's head. Wedge was smart to change pitchers after that one.
It seems most of today's athletes are ledgends in their own minds anyway. The trash talk, the pompoused dances after a play, (even if it is a tackle after a 25 yard run and down by 35 points) and their behavior in public show their total lack of character. There are many adults who dislike this elitist childish behavior even from their own teams. There is a difference in celebrating and belittling/berating the other team and players.
WHO IS THIS MEATHEAD WHO WROTE THE ARTICLE? Obviously he doesn't know ####. Manny is a worthless Sandnigerian Mopsqueezer and any pitcher worth a #### should stick a baseball in his ear in his next at bat after grandstanding like that.
rivjo
What's not to like the man is first and foremost an entertainer. And if nothing else he's the one guy the Sox can rely on in a crisis.
It's been a while since we've heard from you and I hope that things have been well for you and the family ?
See my post written under the tophatal guise and let me know what you think as to the merits of both pieces ?
Ain't Too Proud To Beg Ah Them Damn Yankess ! And there's also Thank You Sir But Your Services Are No Longer Required ! It's not meant to berate your Yankees but trying to delve into the underlying problems that the francshise has had over the last couple of years.
I look forward to reading your comments as and when you're ready.
so stupid, stop sticking up for manny.
if he was a yankee, or met, or any other team he would be killed for all of his stupid stuff. but since hes in boston [boston nation est. 2004] nobody can man up and tell him to knock it off
I agree, riv. And I'm considering the source (Manny) when I say that. Manny is basically harmless-he's just a little off, that's all. But really, who wouldn't want him on their team. BTW, I've seen Damon's arm-maybe that cutoff in the outfield wasn't such a bad idea (sarcasm alert).
And I think the media types that blast him for what he said about " . . .next year" simply have too much time on their hands.
Manny was just trying to look cool and save face. He knew it was over for the Sox (not jus the game, but the series). Manny would rather lose to any team but Cleveland, in front of any fans but those Indian fans. He was just trying to save face in front of his former team and his former fans.
Don't be mad at him, don't feel sorry for him. It's who he is.
hey johnnyjoseph-Re: your comment on the Rocket. If it was truly "the good old days," Clemens would have to bat as well, and he might not care to bite off more than he can chew. He just may have to come up and face Beckett.
Oh who am I kidding. If Clemens had to bat, he'd still be retired.
Sports are not entertainment.Classifying sports as entertainment is why we have the childish end zone and sack dances in football,the poses in HRs in baseball and the trash talking,screaming,chest pumping in basketball,amongst other boorish,obnoxious behaviour.You want it,ESPN will provide it.
Anyone over 40 wants to believe that Baseball is the same old game it always was...unless of course one of the players on their favorite team is considered odd or non traditional. Consider A-rod's past performances, the 2004 ball slap, the Toronto shout, all much ado about nothing?
Is Baseball the same old game? Are the ball players of today really expected to uphold the "sacred" traditions of the game? Is baseball really supposed to reflect our national values and traditions? Come on, get over yourself, baseball has always been filled with kooky and quirky characters. If anything, Manny is an accurate reflection of baseball's long tradition of kooky characters.
As for Manny watching his home runs, he has always done that. In Cleveland, In Boston, it doesn't matter to him. He does have a different mindset then any other batter in the game today. Perhaps, Manny's antics are just his way of getting in the head of the pitcher or his way of trying to silence the crowd, or who the hell knows what he is really thinking.
Finally, about his intelligence...I am tired of hearing statements about Manny being a dim wit and the like. Nobody knows his IQ, for Pete's sake. And in case you haven't noticed, being a Rhodes scholar is not a requirement for being employed in baseball. He was educated in the Bronx, nuff said about that! Put up or shut up about his intelligence. For Pete's sake, what are we comparing him to, the President of the United States? Okay, maybe that wasn't the best comparison, but you get the idea.
Last edited by RedSoxNationHome on October 18th at 9:00 AM.
I was with this guy until he started making comments about IQ levels..I find it funny that people who sit around there living rooms dreaming about and calling themselves die hard sports fans are talking about IQ levels...His IQ is low because he hangs out in the green monster between pitching changes? or because he dives and cut a ball off, 3 YEARS ago?? how many people do you know with high IQ's do you think take something as trival as sports so seriously?? probably not many if any...I love sports, and the exhibition of team or solo play, but i would never be so arrogant as to assume someones IQ level just because of what they do on a playing field, unless of course, i was a racist!!
Ultra---I'm with you all the way. Let people have their fun. Manny isn't hurting anyone and others should lighten up and stop taking things so seriously.
Mizzler---I like the Tribe. No hard feelings for them so I hope they beat up Beckett tonight. Manny wasn't excessive...just absorbed in that moment and thinking "Wow that's a moon shot homerun".
Tonytone---I would take Manny for Matsui in a New York minute...and with open arms. I'd even plan a welcome home party for him since he grew up in NYC.
Anthony---Which Pudge are we talking about here? Young Pudge on the Red Sox or old Pudge on the White Sox? Red Sox Pudge would have backed him 100% as a teammate most likely. White Sox Pudge would have had him beaned, which I think is worse than watching a homerun.
chis 917---We are clearly on the same page.Thanks for reading!
johnnyjoseph---Yeah Rocket would have drilled him. Like I said though, i think that's worse. How many "fist pumps" can pitchers do when they strike someone out? Double standard?
KMO275---Yep, I wouldn't care about the pitcher either. I would want to win every battle I could.
Matt in Ohio---I may not "like" Manny as a Red Sox player but I do not dislike him and believe me that's saying alot. That homerun the other night was way cool.
Mannys a Dope---I enjoy drifting around when I write. Hopefully it's more fun that way. Thanks for reading and confirming that I was able to tie things all together in the end. As for Manny we'll just have to disagree (I think).
egk14pete---I'm with you there. He is on his own planet and for that he gets a free pass from me as long as he doesn't hurt anybody.
Mean D---Good to see you friend. It's been too long. I'm not Manny's guardian Angel. I just stand for truth, justice, the American way and defending people who aren't so bright. Looking forward to BDG in the upcoming weeks.
redsoxandwhatever---It was a special moment and clearly in more ways than one. I just thought it was a cool homerun whether he watched it for too long or not. Wedge got the pitcher out as he should have.
lwayne---I agree with you to a point. We can say that the behavior may be childish but does this make them bad people? For all we know Manny takes care of hundreds of people with his money and donates to charity. All he dis was watch a homerun ball for a few seconds.
Are we really having a discussion about 1)Manny and 2)Manny. I mean there already losing and grant it I am from Boston and a die hard Red Sox it really is not that big of a deal. I mean we can all speculate all we want I am looking at it this way, There already losing how do we know that we was not raising his arms has in to say team we are not down yet get pumped and excited. Or he can be saying I will take the team and put them on my back, or he can say I am back in Cleveland and I still got it so take this, to me and it should be to everyone else it really not this serious. Let Manny have fun for crying out loud. Its sports he's enjoying do what he does best hitting the ball and very far. Want to talk about something lets talk about Dusty, or the Orioles better yet where will Barry Land next season.
This doesn't mean that you have a soft spot for Red Sox Nation now, does it? I'm kidding, of course. I know you're still a pinstripe guy, through and through.
You know how much I respect your opinion. However, I'm disagreeing with you on this one. While I agree that most of the "unwritten rules" are pointless, I just find these self-angrandizing moments that ignore the conext of the game annoying. Of course, that's just me. Others may get a chuckle out of it, and that's fine.
hanswunderbahr---That's Mr. Meathead to you and yes I know ####... or as I like to say I know everything about nothing. Wow and you think Manny has no class. I'm finding that humorous right about now.
Rev---Thank you. I'll take that compliment gladly. You know me. Always ready to defend the latest friendly neighborhood sports villain. As for that highly distasteful Red Sox Nation flag, although it did make me queasy I managed to get through the morning. I feel somehow stronger now for having survived.
ramp---Sorry for my lengthy absence buddy but it feels good to be back. For a Red Sox I actually come as close to liking Manny as possible. I'll be sure to check out your latest this evening. So much going on as well in the boxing world. Can't wait to analyze some of that with you soon.
zdeane343---I don't know that I follow you. I think he's being treated pretty negatively overall. I'd come down on him if I thought he did anything wrong.
ricko---Hello there my equally, if not far more so, sarcastic friend. Manny really is harmless. It surprises me that people take his kooky actions so seriously. He really is out there. The guy is just flat out odd and probably doesn't get what the fuss is all about. And hemay not "cry" if they lose but he isn't going to roll over and quit either.
raindydayman---I don't know if Manny was trying to save face or what but I do agree with your last line. Don't get mad, don't feel sorry for him, he is what he is. Well said.
Josh Q---It's good to be back. I sure wish it was the Yankees and Sox playing no matter what the outcome. I hope you feel the same. As for the J-E-T-S...all I can say is Blechhh and as for the Pats all I can say is wow. Name your terms. I am more than willing to pay the price whether it be a blog telling the world how great they are and what an #### homer I am. Let me know.
mikers---Yes the behavior may be considered childish by some but like I said to someone else it does not make the "offenders" bad people. There are worse things to be other than immature or self-centered or not intelligent or all of the above. Thanks for stopping by to read and commenting.
Red Sox Nation Home---I agree with you on all counts. The only thing I want to make clear is the whole IQ thing. Yes it is all indeed speculation. He may actually be very smart. However if somebody put a gun to my head and made me wager I'd have to say NO. As for education in the Bronx I'll have you know that is where I received mine throughout high school and I'm not too worried about my IQ. =)
lets not loose perspective here. manny doesn't insult our intelligence, run over old ladies, beat his wife, get arrested, do drugs or throw his teamates under the bus. all he does is produce. anybody who wouldn't want him is stupid.
A24---What???? Where do you get racist from? Not that I have to explain to you but Manny is Dominican and I am Puerto Rican. I have Dominican relatives so there isn't any racism here. As for Manny's IQ I could be wrong but I will continue to "speculate" that he isn't too bright. Now lighten up and go do something smart please. But I do appreciate your support up until the end though. Thanks for reading.
big74dogg---I thought that is what I was trying to say. Let Manny have his fun. I'm with you. Did you read or just assume I was bashing him?
Nooch---Glad to see you! It's OK to disagree with me. I always claimed you have the most good character here anyway so I am not surprised you feel as you do. As for me I just don't let trivial Manny bug me. The belligerent responses from random people though towards him. That bothers me more. Take care and thanks for stopping by.
As a die hard Yankee fan, I enjoyed watching the Tribe dismantle the Bosox. As a fan of baseball, I enjoyed watching 3 concecutive homeruns. If I hear that tired cliche phrase: "Manny being Manny." I will toss my biscuits next time I visit Fenway...What is with all those Fox commentators..? So what...do we have freedom of expression in this country or what...? I can't wait until this series is over, cause it is really over for the Chowderheads. In the NFL political correctness has made it a feel good, go hug a tree,pray to mother earth farce..Let's keep MLB away from the liberal pollution nonsense.. Things will never change: Bosox stink and let Manny be Manny. Lets go Yankees-2008..
was it wrong yes but dont be mad it doesnt make him a bad person...he just doesnt know any better and he will get drilled it just wont be in game 5 it will be the first time he faces the tribe next year in a meaningless april game
Dear Redsoxandwhoever-This was not the first back to back to backers in post season play as P.O'Neill,D.Jeter & T.Raines did it for the Yankees in 1997 against the Indians. Cleveland went on to win that series as hopefully they will this one.
I don't see what the big deal is....the guy is among the top 10 run producing players in the game right now....he hits homeruns...I've seen Ramirez hit alot of them over the years....the way he reacted in that at-bat is really no different, from most of the homeruns I've seen him hit over his career...he likes to style and profile!...some homerun hitters I've seen tend to style at the plate when they know it's long gone....Ramirez is no different....it's just he has a style all of his own...like some others here posted...Manny just being Manny!
nysniper---Hey man, you sound like my long lost brother. Preach on cause I'm with you. Freedom of expression isn't such a bad thing. Manny isn't hurting anyone, he's just immature by some people' standards.
csf---good point. He probably won't get drilled, at least early on. There is a lot at stake after all. It may not be the best time to start getting into an ugly situation. However, if Cleveland is up by a decent margin it wouldn't surprise me to see Manny get plunked late in the game. Then they could talk about the bad blood all winter long and make a story of it again next season.
26 crowns---I remember that all too well. I remember the very next game that the pre-game show led with the song "Knock on Wood" by the Mighty Mighty Boss Tones and kept showing the replays. For some reason that always stuck with me. Sandy Alomar Jr's HR off Mariano on a pitch a foot over his head and 2 feet outside to extend the series is another thing I 'll never forget either. I still don't know how he hit that pitch. Thanks for reading.
Mean D---I try. Helps to keep me sane. Thanks for enjoying the joke.
irv69---Yep, I think a personal style would be a good way to explain it. I guess too many folks think it's a bad style...kinda like plaid, bell bottom, polyester slacks. I find stuff like that funny. It's not a big deal like you said and I don't understand all the fuss myself.
I'm a special ed teacher by trade. Funny, I spend my day wanting to say shut-up to people and then do the same here. Just can't seem to. That would be rude and most uncivilized.
I like to write and never met a thought I couldn't continue. My blogs, like this bio, tend to be far too long. I can admit it. If you make it to the end of one of my "essays" there's usually a message that could have been written in half the time by a better writer than me.
Did I mention I was a finalist in NGS II? No really I was, further proving that theyll let anyone in this place. I came in 10th, which is better than 16th I guess. Other than winning the 4th grade graduation writing award it was the biggest literary accomplishmen t of my life. I still haven't gotten used to being famous.
Manny as envisioned by Jim Rome), the wildly eccentric Ramirez watched adoringly as his homerun traveled majestically through the night sky over Jacobs Field. Never mind that this only reduced the deficit to 7-3 in the Indians favor. Never mind that this capped back-to back- to back homeruns that included blasts from Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz. Never mind that it was done in the national spotlight of post-season baseball. Never mind that it was one of the most impressive homeruns that anyone could ever hope to see. Never mind that it was the intellectually challenged Manny that broke one of those notorious “unwritten rules”. Rule breakers must be punished (sarcasm alert). 
Keep in mind his oddball track record. He often likes to hang out during pitching changes at Fenway Park… behind the Green Monster. He commented in 2003 that he would one day like to play… for the Yankees. While in left field during 2004 he dove to cut off a throw…from centerfielder Johnny Damon which resulted in an inside the park homerun. He once requested a trade… to Boston’s AAA team. On the day the trade deadline passed in 2005 Manny stated, “Boston was the place to be”…even though it was widely reported that he had been trying to force his way out of Bean Town. 
