Manny Ramirez last saw MLB action with the Rays (briefly), and of course will always be associated with the Red Sox. As he continues to look for another chance at the bigs, the slugger spoke with Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, acknowledging and expressing contrition for his prior PED use. Ramirez says he could play a role similar to that of Raul Ibanez on the field and in the clubhouse. Here are some notes from around the American League East:
- Always-interesting Red Sox slugger David Ortiz says that he faces an unprecedented amount of responsibility to lead the way in the lineup, reports WEEI.com's Rob Bradford. "I'll give it a try, but I don't think there's a baseball player that has lived through this pressure at my age," said Ortiz. "Think about it. Guys my age are supposed to be complementary players. Nobody signs guys my age to be 'The Man.'" The 38-year-old, of course, is entering the final year of his current contract, and there has been no word of progression on extension negotiations.
- The Orioles are looking at out-of-options pitcher Zach Britton in different roles in anticipation of a possible move to the pen, reports Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun. Britton, a 26-year-old lefty, has been mentioned as a possible trade chip for Baltimore. As MLBTR's Tim Dierkes recently explained in addressing the O's out-of-options players, the team faces a roster crunch that will require it to make some tough calls on a number of players, Britton among them.
- There is still no movement on the extension situation of Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy, writes MASNsports.com's Steve Melewski. Hardy comes across as somewhat frustrated with having to deal with speculation, noting that his previous extension came about in short order. "There has been not much talk at all," he said. "I don't know what they're thinking. The ball is in their court if they want me. They know I like it here." Hardy also added that he would want to address his long-term position before inking a new deal. "If there are any intentions at all of signing me to a long-term deal and wanting Manny to move over to short I would definitely want to know that before," he explained, "because, yeah, I still feel like I can play shortstop and that is what I want to do."
As a Cleveland fan, I dispute your claim that Manny will always be associated with the Red Sox.
Manny had an amazing 2004 season and capped it off by winning the WS MVP when Boston broke the Curse of the Bambino, that is what he will be remember for….. that and being Manny
It’s entirely a matter of perspective. You remember him for his MVP. I’ll remember him more for eliciting a “WOW” from Dennis Eckersley. Some might remember him for MannyWood. etc.
WS MVP, best production or “WOW” from D.E.
Tough call.
Someone might remember Manny from seeing him at a Taco Bell. Doesn’t mean it matters more than his prime years with the Red Sox.
With regard to the HoF and/or the accomplishments recorded in sports history, I agree with you. With regard to the individual fan, I disagree.
I associate him with two things: cheating and that babushka thing he always wore on his head.
He rounds out my top (bottom?) 5 least favorite players of my lifetime thus far. Manny, Barry Bonds, Nyjer Morgan, Ryan Braun, and Johnny Cueto…in no particular order of my disdain. I give Cueto the edge over Clemens on my disdain list for that brawl where he effectively ended Jason LaRue’s career by kicking like a little schoolkid. The other four are pretty easy to grasp why I despise them.
Why Braun and not A-Rod?
It’s a tough call. I never really had high expectations of A-Rod from a personality standpoint. Braun was a heartbreaker — one of my favorite players in the game until he completely 180’ed on me.
I didn’t mean solely associated. Frankly, I was mostly just trying to tie the story somewhat to the AL East to find a place for it on the site.
It’s no problem. I figured as much. BTW, thanks for your contributions and please keep up the good work!
Can Ortiz’s ego get any bigger?
I’m not sure how you’re getting that from these quotes. It’s a pretty clear fact that he’s the biggest threat in the Red Sox lineup, which is unusual for a 38-year-old DH.
The ego comes into play when he starts talking about getting paid.
Ahh saying “I don’t think there’s a baseball player that has lived through this” and referring to yourself as “The Man” demonstrates quite the ego. Mike Trout is breaking all time records for a player his age too and you don’t see him tooting his own horn like that.
Well he’s “The Man” in the Red Sox lineup, which was the context of the quote, and all the talk of “unprecidented” stuff is mostly in reference to his role at his age. There have been plenty of 20-something phenoms. There aren’t many 37-year-old World Series MVPs. I think you’re being a little less than generous with interpreting some of these quotes.
There have been plenty of 20-something phenoms like Trout…. that’s why you have to compare his stats to Ted Williams and Barry Bonds.
My point was that this is apples and oranges. Players in their late 30’s rarely anchor lineups. Players in their 20’s often do. The fact that Trout specifically is one of the best players of all time in his first two seasons isn’t really relevant here.
Also, I seem to remember Trout pitching a big fit when he didn’t get a huge payday last year.
Actually he didn’t say anything, his agent made a few remarks and when Trout was asked about it he said “I’m just happy to be in the lineup. I mean, my time will come. I just have to keep putting out numbers and concentrating on one thing, and that’s getting to the postseason.” That’s a class act right there!
Actually by wRC+ Ortiz 2013 season ranked 14th over all for players 37 and older, by fWAR it ranked 35th. He is putting up great offensive number but its not “unprecedented” even for his age.
I’m confused. Are you guys talking about his production, or his constant talking about his production?
To me, it isn’t about his production, which is great. It’s that he’s always talking about it that makes him sound egotistical.
I was trying to demonstrate that while his productions is good, especially for his age, it does not justify his remarks about it. I respect Ortiz’s production just not his attitude and portrayal of it.
My point was just that what he was saying felt valid, that it’s highly unusual for a player at his age and his position to be the superstar.
Right, I think we all understood what you were saying. The rest of us were saying there is no need for Ortiz to repeatedly state that. It makes him sound egotistical.
Bottom line, he’s a great player… but he talks too much about his greatness. And that’s annoying.
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Ortiz said “unprecedented amount of responsibility” not unprecedented offensive numbers.
Actually the Rally Monkey is correct. Ego is about self worth nothing to do with fact. While Ortiz might be correct in his words, his Ego is still through the roof.
At least he can still back it up. There are many players out there than whine when they get reduced role because they can’t cut it anymore.
Yep Ortiz is the biggest threat to the dugout telephone in the Red Sox lineup, which is unusual for a 38 year old.
Is this the first time Manny’s publicly admitting using PEDs? Better late than never, I suppose. Props to him for coming clean. I hope he gets one more shot somewhere.
The article only explicitly says he admitted to his positive tests and talking about “mistakes.” The same roundabout talk everyone else gives.
Not everyone. Not even Manny, prior to this interview.
They always talk about the past is the past and let’s move on and all that.
Manny Ramirez has a college-aged son? I have never felt older.
As a Boston fan we basically have no choice but to put up with his attitude, due to his bat saving games for us. For years the networks around here fed us this garbage that he’s this loveable guy.
I don’t think the O’s trade Britton at this point. After missing out on Santana I think Britton’s spot at the number 5 man in the rotation is pretty safe as he has looked pretty good thus far.
I want Britton to stay too!
As for Hardy, I am thinking this is going to be an exciting year for the O’s!
I want him along for the ride! After the 2014 is over let the chips fall where they may.
How about Manny learns how to play 1B, then he’ll be a perfect fit in Seattle…
Manny is already qualified to play LF in Seattle
I hope the Orioles don’t get Hardy signed to an extension. The Yankees might need him next season. 🙂
It’s really hard to understand why people dislike Yankees fans so much. Particularly small market fans. I’m at a loss to explain it.
Jealousy is not hard to understand at all.
Calling Baltimore a small market, that’s actually a hard thing to explain.
It’s actually the arrogance that is hardest to explain. I’m a Red Sox fan. Unless you think I’d be jealous of luxury tax penalties, I can’t really think if anything else.
27.
I can think of a few thing you can do with those 27 rings….
It’s a lovely number, but what have you done lately? I mean can you even really be proud of something that happened before you were born? That’s kinda like Northerners bragging about how we won the Civil War. I mean, we did, but who really cares at this point?
So they brought down voting back?…. Never mind it’s gone again.
Ortiz should keep quiet about his potential production if he wants to whine about his extra year…
What has changed in the Boston lineup that he suddenly realizes he’s “the leader” of it? He’s been “the leader” of that lineup since the day they traded away A-Gon/Crawford.
Sounds to me like he’s setting the fans up for a let down year. What happened? Did his perscription run out?
Could be referencing a clubhouse leader as well. Throughout the playoffs we constanstly saw Papi pumping up the players in the dugout. I feel as though a lot of people thought that Pedroia would emerge as that. Not to say he hasn’t, because he is a leader as well. I guess Ortiz is just more vocal about it.
Could be referencing a clubhouse leader as well. Throughout the playoffs we constanstly saw Papi pumping up the players in the dugout. I feel as though a lot of people thought that Pedroia would emerge as that. Not to say he hasn’t, because he is a leader as well. I guess Ortiz is just more vocal about it.
For $14 or $15 mil (or whatever his salary is this year), yes, he should be “the man” and a leader in both the clubhouse and the lineup. He was the highest paid “position” player on the team last year. I’ve never worked at a job where the highest paid guy was a complementary piece of the company. I don’t care what his age is. If he wants that kind of money, you have to bear the responsibility that comes with it. If you don’t want to be a leader, then take a pay cut.
Oh please, I’m so sick of David Ortiz and his attitude of always trying to be a martyr. Yes, we know it’s unusual for someone to still be a good hitter at that age. Yes, we know you think you’re worth $25m a season but oh so generously accept less. Now can you please stop acting like you are doing charity work and shouldering this great burden by accepting millions of dollars to play a game?
I dread the day Ortiz decides to retire and we have to endure the Big Papi Retirement Parade in every city. Is this just going to be a yearly thing now where players with inflated egos need a year to announce to the world they are no longer playing sports?