Being Manny Ramirez

“I’m always on time….I might be late two years in a row…but I’m always on time.”
Manny Ramirez may not be the most predictable or punctual member of the Boston Red Sox, but he is one of the most entertaining. In honor of Manny’s “early” or “on time” arrival into Spring Training this year, we’ll take you line by line through his press conference with reactions and commentary.
If your too lazy to read and/or don’t value my commentary, just jump to the embedded video below courtesy of Boston.com.
Manny: “This year we’ve got a great team. Let’s go enjoy and see what happens.”
I am as excited for the next five minutes as the next five days. Bring it on Manny, drop some knowledge on us.
Question: How badly would you like to retire in a Red Sox uniform?
Manny: “I want to finish my career here, but it’s up to them. If that doesn’t happen, hey, I’ll go and play somewhere else. I know I still can play and what else can I say? It’s up to them. I’m not the one who writes the checks.”
Apparently he’s not the one who cashes them either. There have long been rumors of Manny’s uncashed/undeposited paychecks. When you make $20 million per year, those checks are a little more than petty cash, at least to most of us.
On a serious note, think about where Manny could end up in Red Sox history if he were to play the next five seasons in Boston. Manny will sail past 500 home runs this year and could end up near 650 by the end of his career. Manny currently ranks 5th in Red Sox history in home runs in a Red Sox uniform with 254. He could surpass 400 in a Red Sox uniform should he finish his career in Boston ranking him third behind Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski. He would likely top the 1,100 RBI mark ranking 6th in Red Sox history. Even with attrition in some of his rate stats, he will still rank in the top ten in all major rate categories (avg, obp, slg, ops).
Question: Does the contract situation give you more determination to show the Sox that you can still play?
Manny: “No. They know I play. So I don’t gotta come and try to do too much. I’m just going to come, try to be Manny, and do my thing.”
Does anything ever really phase Manny? Why would a contract? The highlight of this question/answer for me is two fold. First, Manny admitting that he doesn’t have to try too hard when asked a question about determination. Second, Manny’s first reference to himself in the 3rd person.
Question: How do you look at last year, with the number down a little bit?
Manny: “Well, like I said, ’07 was great for me. I learned a lot. I would trade those numbers for a World Series ring. So I got the ring again. I’m blessed, man.”
I wonder how this answer would have changed if he didn’t have the World Series win to fall back on. This isn’t like basketball where someone can subjugate their ego and stats for the greater good of the team. If Manny’s numbers are down, he didn’t contribute to the ’07 season as much as years past. That being said, I am glad his eye is on the prize. At the end of the day, it is rings that matter.
Question: Are you going to approach the Red Sox for an extension this spring?
Manny: “No, I’m not going to ask nobody for an extension. I’m going to come, play the game. I know my situation. That’s it. I’m going to come and play and let them make the decision.”
Way to man up Manny. I love that there’s no playing of the “respect” card like other Dominican soon to be free agent superstars entering an option year in the past.
Question: Are you happy here?
Manny: “I’m happy, yeah.”
I get the feeling Manny’s always happy. It would be fun to be Manny.
Question: You’ve got two rings. What does that feel like?
Manny: “It’s great, man. It’s a blessing. A lot of people play and they never get one. What can I say, man? So many people played for the Red Sox, Ted Williams, so many guys. Such great players, and they didn’t get a ring. I’m just happy to be here and blessed.”
I love that Manny harkens back to Red Sox past in answering this question. Instead of answering this question as an individual, he answers it as a Red Sox. I think that this town, team, and uniform has infiltrated Manny more than he often lets on.
Question: There were so many years when you didn’t want to be here. What changed?
Manny: “Well, I think you start growing up, and mature also. Now I’m here and I want to stay here. But it’s up to them.”
The more I listen, the more credible and honest Manny appears. How often can you say that about an athlete?
Question: How has being in Boston compared to what you expected when you started with the team?
Manny: “Boston is Boston. Boston is the same. I’m not going to change. This is a job that I’ve got to do. I’m happy here. I want to finish my career as a Red Sox. But it’s up to them.”
I am not really sure how to react to that answer. I’m actually not even sure that I understand his answer. Boston hasn’t changed, but neither has Manny. Ok. He’s doing a job, but he’s happy. Manny + Boston = Good Fit. Let’s get a deal done if you want.
Question: How much of staying in Boston has to do with your teammates?
Manny: “Nothing got to do with them. Got to do with me. I’m the one who’s got to play the game. They’re not going to come and play for me.”
I think the question was more about whether he has close friends on the team and what impact they are having on his desire to stay in Boston. I think that question missed the mark a little inside Manny’s brain.
Question: David Ortiz said yesterday that he expects you to have a monster year this year. Why do you think he said that?
Manny: “I don’t know. I’m just going to go play the game, man. Whatever happens, happens.”
Manny is tiring of this “media thing”. He hasn’t talked much since 2004 and these questions don’t help him a baseball any better so they aren’t very important to him.
Question: When you say “it’s up to them,” do you mean it’s up to them to do something before the season starts?
Manny: “No, no, no, no, no. They’re the ones, it’s up to them to say, ‘OK, we’re going to pay.’ It’s not up to me to go into the office and demand a four-year deal, whatever. I’m going to come here to play the game, finish my year. If they want me to come back, I’ll come back.”
The reporter tried to trick him a little there. But Manny is sharp as Manny can be. Instead of a non-answer Manny sets the record straight. It’s almost like when he’s bored with a question he blows it off, but he’s always paying more attention than you think. Like when you watch him take two strikes without looking like he cares at all, then ropes a single over the shortstops leaping glove on a wicked line. The ultimate rope-a-dope.
Question: You’ve said you want to be like Julio Franco. How long are you going to play?
Manny: “I’m going to go until the wheels fall off. I’m going to keep going. API, they’re one of the greats. They’re great people to go and work out and I’m going to keep doing it.”
Could you imagine 15 more years of Manny Ramirez. Would he be crazier than Rickey Henderson at the end of his career?
Question: If the team came to you and said, “Forget the options, we want to talk long-term deal,” would you listen?
Manny: “I’m going to wait and talk to them, what they want to do after the season. I don’t want to play the game and listen to that. I want to play the game, finish my year, and whatever happens, happens.”
Manny’s not going to let the contract get in the way of this season. When I heard this on the radio before reading it back, I got the feeling that he was going to take this to free agency if he could. But reading this all back, I think he would like to end his career in Boston. I also think that the Red Sox are likely to pick up Manny’s option for next year. I think that he’s due for a monster season. The Red Sox and Manny’s dance around this contract extension will play out over the next two years. I don’t think the Red Sox would commit to another 4 years and $75-$80 million dollars after next season, assuming they pick up the option. I do think that a team out there will give and probably top that offer.
Question: He was then asked about when the team was down 3-1 to Cleveland last season, presumably before asking about his comments at that time.
Manny: “No, no, no. That’s in the past. I don’t want to talk about that. Next year.”
Manny got frustrated with this question pretty quickly. I must be missing the context or else, Manny was just done with the media for the day and called the interview over.
video after the jump…