You Make Your Own Destination
The dreadlocks. The baggy pants. The goofy double-point.
It’s hard to realize that Manny will no longer be running out of the first base dugout at Fenway to stand in the shadow of the Green Monster. Anybody who isn’t in denial right now is either lying or never liked Manny much in the first place.
We’ll miss the hitting (of course), and we’ll miss his ability to play balls off the Monster, but losing Manny is so much bigger than just his bat. For all his quirks, Manny never meant any harm (except perhaps to Jack McCormick). Let me repeat that: Manny never meant any harm. Hey may have been a handful at times, but did you ever think that there was malicious intent behind his antics? Think about how many of today’s superstars that are labeled “clubhouse cancers.” They have their own agenda and couldn’t care less about other people. Would you rather have all the motives of a Gary Sheffield, or Manny Ramirez? It’s not a question. Manny, for all his ups and downs, was just a goofy guy. He meant well but the Boston media wouldn’t let him be. (I’m looking at you Shaugnessy, Ryan and even the great and powerful Gammons.)
What few people seem realize is how much Manny loved the game. He had fun. If you didn’t know any better you’d think he was playing in a co-ed corporate softball league. He didn’t care about the money, or the fame. He didn’t mind if he screwed up in the field (which he did once or twice), or had been one for his last 27, he just enjoyed getting to swing the bat and talk with the fans and sometimes even high-five them in the middle of a play.
Manny joined the Sox in 2000, and more than any other Sox player had to live through a number of painful, mediocre seasons before finally striking gold. We all love Papi, but Papi only had to sit through the sludge of “wait till next year” once. Manny learned and lived with the pain of Boston, he knew what it felt like to have a bad season, to feel the pressure of the city. Not only did he not let it get him down, he embraced it and helped bring the Sox to the promised land not once, but twice.
Manny was an “idiot” in 2004, and a “bad man” in 2007. I know that as fans we’re supposed to root for “the laundry,” but let’s be honest, some players you embrace more than others. Manny was certainly one of those players.
Manny Ramirez leaving the Red Sox is not just one player leaving, it marks the end of an era; the most successful era the Red Sox had seen in almost a century. I had hoped that Manny would not only finish the season in Boston but have both of his options picked up so he could have played for the Sox for 10 years. I wanted his number 24 to sit alongside Doerr’s, Cronin’s, Yaz’s, Teddy Ballgame’s, and Fisk’s in right field. Manny did more for the city of Boston and the Red Sox organization than people will realize until it’s too late. And he always did it with a smile. So long Manny, we hardly knew ye.
(By the way, how strange is it to think of Manny playing for Joe Torre?)
UPDATE: I actually wrote this up last night, before we knew if Manny was actually going to be a Red Sox on August 1, 2008. This post is not specifically about the trade, or more accurately, what the Sox got in return for Manny. There will be a post later about the Sox and the trading deadline.
Yes, it is sad to think that Manny will not be running out of the Sox dugout anymore and playing “leftfield”. He was a hell of a player these past 8 years(the hall of fame numbers and two rings being proof of it), and his on the field play will be greatly missed. But where he will not be missed, are his off the field antics. Specifically, the year after year demands to be traded, his mysterious knee injuries and days of against certain pitchers, and most recently his negative and direspectful comments towards the Red Sox organization. Manny has done great things for the Red Sox but he has mantally “checked out” of Boston, no lonegr hustling and Theo obliged by shipping him to LA, also landing themselves a pretty darn good player in Jason Bay. Manny it has been nice, but all good things must come to an end…
And is anyone else surprised that C. Hansen ws part of the deal? Yes, he was bipolar on the mound, but he is still young and was starting to show signs of improvement, and he has the potential to have the best FB-Slider combos in baseball. I look forward to seeing him become a dominant closer for the Pirates in the years to come….
Comment by Drew — July 31, 2008 @ 2:18 pm
I won’t miss him. He is the consummate “it’s all about me” guy. He is not a team player. Sure he loves baseball but he loves himself even more. Yeah, we’ll miss his hitting. No doubt. But give me a player with some heart and some humility any day. Now Manny can go to LA and bitch with Nomar. Fine. Bub-Bye.
Comment by Jen — July 31, 2008 @ 2:25 pm
Love your blog, but I have to say he DID care about the money. The trade went through only because the Dodgers agreed to drop the options for the future obviously so he can get more than the $20 million the option provided.
That’s all about money.
Comment by Jessie — July 31, 2008 @ 2:51 pm
I don’t think he cared about the money so much as caring about his future. Considering all the ups and downs he’s had with the Sox FO, I think he wants to have a long-term deal instead of being at the mercy of his team to extend his contract each season with the options. But I can definitely see the other side of the argument as well.
Comment by Matt — July 31, 2008 @ 2:54 pm
Manny is a greedy [expletive]… Jason Bay will excel with a better team… I agree with Craig Hansen…Since when does a team have to give up a HOF’er and 2 prospects to get one good player?
Comment by Yunel — July 31, 2008 @ 2:54 pm
i will miss manny tons but being from pittsburgh ive seen lots of jason bay and i cant wait to see what he does inbetween big papi and mike lowell…not to mention once he learns how to field the green monster he should be better than manny…and im looking forward to one day watching j-bay hitting HIS 500th homerun over the homerun
Comment by phil from pittsburgh — July 31, 2008 @ 4:46 pm
Jen – Heart & Humility doesn’t win championships…the Yankees are a perfect example of that…..talent and a 3 spot 4 spot punch like Manny and Papi in your lineup does…
I hated all of his negativity and his stupid trade deadline tactics for the past five years or so but he’s still the best hitter in the game and we gave up entirely too much to see him go. Two more months and it wouldn’t have cost a thing….including another championship…
How many people would say the things they are saying about Manny if he still wore the uniform?
I’ve been loyal to Theo & Company for many years and I just hope they are right on this one…
Comment by Scott — July 31, 2008 @ 5:58 pm
The straw that broke my back with Manny was the Manny being Manny run out of the infield hit deep to third – his attitude conveyed “What do I care, I’m not gonna pull my hammy again since we’re gonna lose this game anyway. Then there was the running through the hold up sign against the MFY. What total disrespect for the entire coaching staff.
He does not want to be here. Bye. This is supposed to be a game that is fun – was ANYONE having fun the last month?
Welcome to Boston Jason. Hit a few homers here and say hello. Lets give him a BIG cheer the first time up. Manny will be on the 9a flight to LA tomorrow – unless he can find a later one.
Comment by Joe F. — July 31, 2008 @ 6:30 pm
First off, love the site. Been reading it for a while and love your work. Nice plug on ESPN by the way. I think its a good thing to remember we’re not trading away the good ole “hit everything” Manny in 04 and 05; the Manny being Manny, when you could just laugh it off because he’d hit another homerun his next time at bat. No, we’re trading the 08′ and possibly the 09′ Manny. The version of Manny that doesn’t run out ground balls and is flat out lazy. Frankly, Manny’s antics have gotten very old very fast, and I’m glad we have a new face roaming left field.
Comment by Matt E. — July 31, 2008 @ 7:15 pm
Manny Being Manny… All that needs to be said..
We know what we got into, the good, the bad, the ugly. And when we look back at it we all gotta be glad he played here for obvious reasons. At least hes not Johhny Damon who stated in his book he would never play for the Yankees. We all know Manny most likely will play for the Yankees next year. He at least would publicly hang out with Yankee players and was raised in the Bronx. Manny never was fake, he was always a weirdo and we all loved it. He knew it was time to go as well as the Sox management. Were all lucky for watching a hitting savant like him all these years. Good luck Manny thanks for the memories.. but just remember if you come back for a visiting team in Fenway we all will stand up and give him you a standing ovation….unless… He’s in a Yankee uniform.
Comment by derekjbro — July 31, 2008 @ 8:42 pm
Yes Manny’s offense was something special but then so was the way fans embraced him from day one. The past few years we would hear Manny trade rumors and breathe a collective sigh of relief when he stepped in the batters box as a Redsox this year was different. This year Manny was a disruptive figure, this year Manny became physically confrontational with team mates and staff. There’s no place on the Boston Redsox for a player that puts himself above the team. Manny’s obvious lack of hustle to first is just one reason “Manny being Manny” lost its charm. It was fun we will remember the good times and smile at the bad but in the end it was time for Manny to be Manny someplace other than Boston. I expect Manny will be in dreaded pinstripes next year and that will make the memories of his time in Boston easier to forget, for he will have crossed over to the dark side.
Comment by Steve Murray — July 31, 2008 @ 9:11 pm
This year’s Manny is not the one that where we could overlook his quirks, this years Manny was mean spirited. His teamates were sick of him and it showed in their play of late. I am really looking forward to see what Jason Bay can do for the Red Sox, I think he will do great in our lineup. Look at what he did with Pittsburgh and very little protection. He is better defensively and runs well. We gave up Hansen who had talent but couldn’t control it and Moss who we don’t have room for. A little much maybe but because of Manny being Manny lately really hurt our bargaining power. I think we will end up on the positive side when the year is over
Comment by Steve Brewer — August 1, 2008 @ 5:28 am
I dunno about the MFY for Manny – how much will they have to pay him to cut the dreads and stay clean shaven? He could make $20m without changing one thing about himself, and Manny is not about to change himself for fatso steinbrenner and his stupid grooming rules – so $25M aint gonna do it. No one thinks with the year he is having he is worth more than A-Rod . . .
But if he DOES go to the MFY next year – NOW I WILL hope that Schilling comes back and plays that chin music on him every single at bat.
Comment by Joe F. — August 1, 2008 @ 5:31 am
Jason Bay does not come close to the intimidation factor Manny had. Period.
Comment by EatBoolz — August 1, 2008 @ 7:46 am