Here’s a household name for you: Manny Ramirez. Everybody seems to have an opinion about Manny. I have an opinion that is definitely not one shared by many Red Sox fans. I still love Manny, I don’t care what they say about him. There is nothing anyone can say to me to change that; nothing, so please don’t try. For what he successfully did for the Red Sox will ever overshadow any bad things he did. That’s just me though.

 

Everyone remembers an episode or two of Manny

Being Manny. Many of us  remember more. I fondly remember when he became a U.S. citizen and ran through Fenway Park with the American flag. My son’s first two-syllable word was Man-ny as he pointed at the TV. Then there was the going into the Green Monster during a game. Yea, that was weird. Also, can’t forget Manny selling the gas grill or silver car on eBay. Yea, Manny is not your typical baseball superstar. There is nothing typical about Manny Rameriz. Nothing. 

 

I’m not going out on a limb by saying that he was an instrumental cog in the two World Series trophies that now reside on Yawkey Way. We all know that earlier this year he signed on with Scott Boras as his agent. Ever since then, things changed for Manny. As of now, Manny is unemployed. As much as I don’t like rumors, I have been following the Manny rumors closely. We still don’t know where he will end up. At this point it is anyone’s guess.

 

Among the rumors, yes, despite Manny being Manny, there are several teams trying to solicit Manny’s services. And according to Agent Scott Boras, Manny will be employed by the start of Spring Training.

 

The Dodgers made the first attempt with a 2 year $45 million contract. I don’t think that was too insulting provided he made $19 million in 2008. He didn’t actually turn it down, they let to offer expire. Apparently the Dodgers are still interested. I guess now the San Francisco Giants are not only still interested, but are making a play for him, again, as well. Supposedly. Manny’s friend,
Albert Pujols, wants Manny to join him in St. Louis. Now that would end up being a pretty lethal 3-4 punch. Is Boras talking to Brian Cashman in some double-secret negotiations? That would be awful! That is where I draw the line.

 

Yea, he’s a goofball, but where will the 36-year old slugger end up? Besides being weird, he’s got quite the resume. Drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 1991; Manny played for Cleveland from 1993 until the end of the 2000 season when he signed an unheard of 8-year $160 million contract with the Red Sox, a contract that included options for 2009 and 2010, one that would have brought his earnings to over $200 million had he stayed with the Red Sox. He’s a twelve-time All-Star. He’s got nine Silver Sluggers. His career stats through 2008 are a .314 batting average; 527 home runs; 1,725 Rbi’s. Manny has the most career grand slams of any active player, and second overall most in baseball history. Who wouldn’t want him?

 

I know the Red Sox don’t. Though I have to say, we sure do need a big bat. I don’t care how many people tell me how great Jason Bay is / can be, he ain’t no Manny…never will be. And who knows what condition Big Papi will show up to Spring Training in. One thing for sure is no matter how badly the Red Sox don’t want him back, the majority of Red Sox fans surely don’t, as well. After all, many of them blame Manny for the fact that we don’t have the 2008 World Series trophy. You should hear them, because they are still talking about how much they dislike him. Not me.

 

So among the unanswered questions swirling around the Manny subject: Where will the 2009 episode of Manny Being Manny be? Will Manny play at all in 2009? Will he sit out
the first half, stubborn, waiting for that huge contract from a team that desperately needs a big bat to secure that push to the playoffs? I’m pretty confident it will be on a National League team. I’m thinkin’ that he’ll stay on the left coast. I hope because, frankly, if he’s not with us, I surely don’t want to see him against us, thank you very much. I wish the team good luck that finally ends up landing Manny. At least you know what you are getting with Manny when he’s at bat. But otherwise, let’s face it, he’s predictably unpredictable.

 

Manny will go down as one of the best batters in the history of the sport. Surely in my lifetime. Then the question final Jeopardy question remains: What hat will he wear in the Hall of Fame?