July 27th, 2008
Dear Mr. Ramirez,
I’ve long admired your ability to hit a baseball. In my book, you will go down as one of the most feared and productive hitters in baseball during your sixteen major league seasons (1993-present). It is impossible to argue with the .312/.409/.590 – yes that’s an career OPS of .999 – the 509 home runs and the 1667 runs batted in.
Your ability to lock in on a pitch and do with it whatever it seemed you wanted, whether it be a line drive back up the middle, drive a towering shot over the Monster, or a poke to the opposite field, had me convinced for years that nothing happened within that white-walled home you have created in the batter’s box without you crafting it to your will.
While I didn’t always appreciate the act of “Manny being Manny” and everything that surrounded it, it never turned me off to the underlying personality that I believed lay within that comical persona. Just like your baggy uniform often masks the truly athletic frame that allows you to control your swing the way that Tiger Woods controls the swing of a golf club (an almost poetic vision of balance, timing, power, and control), your outward ambivalence always seemed to mask a true determination to be the best hitter this game has ever seen.
Much like Pedro Martinez, I always felt that behind the “politics” and eccentricities lied someone whose passion for baseball was built on pure joy of playing the game. While Pedro’s fire and drive was fueled by the competitive desire to not only be the best, but to prove himself a winner at all times, your passion seemed fueled more by the wont to hit a baseball better than anyone around. It was always a more introspective passion.
I had always held onto the hope that you were, as many people have dubbed you, a hitting savant; that you took a much more intellectual approach to the game than anyone ever gave you credit for. But more than that, I held onto the belief that you were in your heart a joyful and fun loving personality, who appreciated what baseball and specifically, playing baseball in the city of Boston had given you over the years.
At least I thought.
While I don’t know that I can call into question or doubt any of the accolades and praise I have bestowed on you as a hitter over the years, and I certainly can’t call you out for your personal motives and desires as if I “know” you, I can call you out one one very significant account; giving up on the fans that supported you at every move.
Your time in Boston has run it’s course.
Time and time again, even coming into this season, I expected some ups and downs in my relationship with you as player and fan. At the end of the day however, I always expected my attachment to you as a fan of both your team and you as a personality and ballplayer to carry me through any tough times along the way. I also expected that you, the Red Sox, and the city of Boston had a symbiotic relationship. Each party was better for having the other in it’s world.
Something feels different this time around.
I’ll admit, when you were putting up 45/125 instead of 30/100, it was easy for me slough off the Manny moments. In part, I am fickle for turning on you as your skills have begun to erode. But despite the apparent erosion in your talent, until recently, I was all for an extended stay for you underneath the Green Monster. I was a proponent of picking up both club options and essentially handing you two years and $40 million. All I asked was that you respectfully take those years and that money and not tear this organization at it’s core.
I’ll also admit, that the media machine is contributing to my reaction. Should they have all taken the Michael Felger, “it’s Manny being Manny” approach this time around instead of the John Thomase-like instigating, maybe I wouldn’t be ready to cut ties with you.
But when the media swarms to the extent that they have, from local to national writers, and they all swarm in the same direction, that’s a clear signal to me that there isn’t as much grey area as there had been in the past.
When you “sucker-punched” Kevin Youkilis, we came to your defense. When you pushed down a team employee, we were ignored it and cheered for your heroics against the Twins coming into the All-Star break. And when you called out management as two-faced, many people despite a love for the current ownership, didn’t necessarily disagree.
You had built up so much “cred” with the denizens of Red Sox Nation that we were the ultimate in enablers. Like the friend who may have a drinking problem, but is so much fun to be around when they’re drinking that you don’t want them to realize it until a tragic night forces everyone to see reality, you may have added the last straw to the backs of our relationship with your handling of Friday night’s game.
Despite the outrage from many, I still wanted to enable you. But my moment of clarity came yesterday when a Yankee fan was shown at Fenway Park waving a sign proudly in the air that stated simply;
Manny, the Yankees thank you for being Manny
Here we are at a critical juncture in the season and instead of Red Sox fans appreciating you despite his “being Manny”, the enemy has finally moved past fear of your ability and into a place where they are comfortable mocking you with such authority that your fans couldn’t muster a comeback. When a jab is thrown so perfectly, sometimes you have to swallow your pride and take it.
It came to light before yesterday’s game that if you were to waive your no-trade right’s given to you as a 10/5 guy, that Theo Epstein would entertain trade offers.
I implore you to give this last bit of respect back to the team and city that enabled you over the past eight years and publicly grant Theo that wish.
While I don’t expect that a trade will be pulled off that satisfies all parties, at least give everyone the right to give it as realistic an effort as possible.
Manny, it’s with a very heavy heart that I pen this letter. I pride myself on my undying loyalty, my ability not to get sucked into the media’s swarm around a topic with so little “on the field” impact, and in general my desire to look for the best in people.
You’ve caused me to doubt all that and while I’ll root for you as long as you were the home colors of Boston, our relationship can never be the same, and that just sucks.
Formerly a fan,
Tim Daloisio
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Wow. Agree 100%.
Will you feel the same if he homers tonight? I’m as frustrated as anyone else, but I wonder how much of this is just media/front-office fueled. While the Red Sox are undoubtedly the best run team in the league, it is interesting how many players end up dissatisfied by the end of their stays in Boston and I think it has a lot to do with the way that guys like Lucchino manipulate the media, even Theo left for a while because he was sick of Luchhino’s BS. Give Manny his space, let him operate, stop panicking because we lost a couple of games. This situation is best left for evaluation at the end of the season, you’re definitely not going to get back Manny production in a trade.
No one except the Yankees or the Rays would pick up the rest of Manny’s 2008 contract as a rental, and that would be to win a few more games while denying the Red Sox. The reality is that Manny will probably remain in Sox uniform and in left field through October. What happens then depends on Manny and his agent Boras.
Manny reminds me of a grown-up who still relies on being cute to get by, but for whom this behavior no longer works, because he is no longer a kid, and has not learned how to act as a mature adult. Manny needs to:
1. Change his behavior and put the team first.
2. Get back to being the best hitter in MLB.
3. Apologize for any distractions, to his teammates and fans.
4. Work towards a long term contract, Boston or elsewhere, at a lesser $$ amount to reflect probably end-of-career contributions.
I wonder if Scott Boras has the wisdom or the balls to put baseball first for a change, and sit Manny down to explain the facts of life to a coddled star with just a few productive years remaining. If he doesn’t, he not only does a dis-service to the Game, but to his client, who is on his way towards becoming a pariah.
At the beginning of the year, all fresh from his workouts and at ST on time, Manny was on track for a multi-year contract that would guarantee him legend-status in Boston and in Baseball, retiring his # next to Ted and Yaz. Suddenly, his tantrums are threatening his very existence in a Sox uniform. He’s still our Manny, but HIS actions and attitude will determine for how long.
And its also about time for Larry Lucchino to look at his attitude towards the players, and how much resentment he can cause with his high-handed ways.
Bob…I am glad you are able to tow the line here….and for the remainder of this season…I’ll root for him as a member of the Red Sox…and yes I admit to the media playing a role in my current state of mind.
But for the first time this season….I swung to the “don’t pick up Manny’s option for 2009″ camp.
While I’ll cheer when he homers…but my blind faith and appreciation from him is over. He’s flawed…and I can’t look the other way anymore.
I think he had his space this season…..then he brought this upon himself….he should have just known that keeping his head down and doing his work would have gotten him $20 million next year and kept his fans on his side…he chose otherwise.
The front office and the media have exacerbated the situation but the genesis of this all on Manny’s hands…
Amen. I repeat, amen.
ESPN reports that Manny said he won’t block a trade if the Sox try to trade him.
“I don’t care where I play, I can even play in Iraq if need be. My job is to play baseball,” added Ramirez.”
Are the Red Sox owners Perfect. NO. But the way I look at things these owners are the best the Red Sox have had.
Its funny earlier this week I was watching a Yankee classic on YES.
It was the game in early July 2004. The whole team was into the game. All were on the top step of the dugout cheering every aspect of the game. This game was critical to the season and every player knew it.
In the 12th inning (after Jeter sacrificed his face in the 11th) Manny comes up and belts a home run to put the sox up. It was what we thought the straw that broke the camels back. Unfortunately in the bottom of the 12th the yanks scored 2 and one the game and took the wind out of our sail.
Everyone who had been sitting on that top step of the dugout looked devastated. There was only one player that didnt. His name was Nomar Garciaparra and he was no where near the top step. He sat on the bench and refused to enter the game to help his team.
Now we are here 4 years later and Manny has pulled the same stunt. Lets hope he wrote his ticket out of town almost 4 years to the day that Nomar did. See ya Clown.
I’m wavering, but I have my convictions and I’ll stick to them. I like to think that I’ve always seen Manny for what he is, a complicated person. My mom, who doesn’t know anything about baseball watches Manny and thinks that he is the most fun player out there, coincidentally she thinks that Jeter is one of the most self-absorbed people around. Whenever I get frustrated with him I think about that for a second. Those of us who follow the game closely often get too wrapped up in the day-to-day garbage, but people who don’t watch baseball often have clearer insight into who a player is. Manny being Manny isn’t the quirky frustrating things he does, its him playing the game with a natural exuberance and enjoyment. Instead of trying to run him out of town we should show remind him of who he really is and let him enjoy himself.
In any case, there isn’t another outfielder on the Market who could match his production, so let’s encourage him as much as possible while he’s here. If he leaves in the offseason that’s a seperate issue, I will miss him a lot, in my mind with the possible exceptions of Ortiz, Manny will be the most memorable Red Sox player of this era. Long after we’ve all forgotten about the Kevin Youkilis’ of the world (great players, but not HOFers) we’ll be telling our grandkids about Manny. Yeah he’s misbehaved a little, but we owe him our support at the very least.
Manny agrees to waive trade rights
Did he read my letter?
Thanks Manny … You do know it’s still mid-season right now? And we are about to be swept by the Yanks at home? You have been a beast and I still want you playing for us … but cmon man … shut up and play baseball
This sucks. Period.
@ Bob
That’s what bothers me so much about this … I know he loves playing ball … I know that’s why he seems so goofy sometimes … he’s just having fun … that’s why I love watching him play … but why is he going off now? What caused him to forget about playing ball in Boston in Fenway? Why is he all of a sudden deciding he hates it here? We need the man … I just want him to have fun again … Cause when he is this a different ballclub …
One that doesn’t get swept at home by the Yankees…
1. Everyone in that dugout and clubhouse has had it out with Youkilis about his antics after striking out or not getting on- great work NESN- we never should have seen that
2. This is a function of him not talking to media for his tenure here, the “Sully Media Nation” has had this year on their calendar for YEARS!!
3. Get rid of Manny? But say nothing about our “lionhearted” “captain” that hasnt been good in YEARS!!
4. Note to real sox fans- dont let these idiots run another HOF’er out of town the way they did when the club wasnt winning- this guy has produced, and WON- sorry that he doesnt hit .200 but runs everything out- i guess that would make him a hero in the minds of the conservative white irish catholic crowd that crushes players that dont look like them.
amen dan, amen
“Dan” is the prime example of a Manny smoocher. This “HOF er is a pathetic teamamate who has acted like a juvenille over the course of the last 8 years. Variteck has nothing to do with this clown like behior.
I noticed you avoided mentioning Manny pushing a 64 yr. old employee to the ground. Hey Dan ,that crap doesn’t matter as long as you’re guy gets a hit, right?
And wanting to leave aevery year for the last 6 yrs. is an indication of what a great gury he is. He makes 20m per year and could have been regareded a
the right handed Ted Williams in New England buut he never had to worry becuase had moronic bigots (re:conservative Irish Catholic) su[pporting his tired act.
Hey Dan take his and your sorry ass and yours out of New England . I have no tolerance for lazy slobs, or religous and culteral bigots
bobcat, I’m staying neutral, but typing “take … your sorry ass out of new england” is a great way to dump all over your point. Everyone seriously needs to relax around here, even if we’re frustrated over the sox dumping two consecutive games to the yanks.
the only reason he isnt considered a right handed ted williams is because the press is all too happy to air all his dirty laundry- throwing mccormick to the ground is deplorable but again serves my point – WE SHOULDNT HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THAT!!- that has nothing to do with the game, and that is what I am a fan of- not the soap opera that comes with the media in boston. And if you think for a second that the mostly white irish catholic media in boston doesnt give minoritiy athletes a hard time, I got a bridge to sell you. I am white and irish catholic- but i can recognize bigotry in my own people when I see it
Why do people say that everything is race related? The press likes a story, and Manny will always be a story. If we had a white player pushing down old people and attacking teammates, while making 20m a year, I guarantee it’d be a story. Look at every time Paps says something stupid.
I’m white. Sometimes whiter than white and soaking wet. Sign me to a 12 day contract and I will relive every day of the 12 days of chirstmas but substitute things like mayhem, sodomy, animal neglect, self-scarification, lewdness and drunken and disorderly conduct. There is not a chance in hell that the Boston media would even notice me unless that 12 day contract was given to me with the expectation that I would be the best hitter on the team, if not the best hitter in the AL east.
I will never apologize for Manny, but the media needs to leave him alone. There are very few players on the current roster that I would like to cook some tostones for or have a beer with. Manny is one, every story has at least two sides and we need to just leave him alone.
Bobcat- I would have responded to some of your points but your spelling and grammar made me think you were either on a blackberry while driving a very fast car or stupid. Either way I don’t want to distract you.
Manny just being Manny who cares. He will go out thinking he is the most important player on the team. Its a great team and getting better all the time. His story is a old one remember Damond and Pedro? Last time I heard much about Damond he was getting a hair cut and Pedro haven’t heard much about him either. They all thought they were the whole team but found out they were just one fish in a GREAT BIG POND. His name will be lost along with Damond and Pedro. —–good-bye Manny your a ball player not a spoiled child
Dan we shouldn’t have known about it you are right.
Unfortunately the moron did in right in front of Seam McAdam. What’s he suppose to do just ignore it? Is he suppose to say Manny might get upset plus he is Hispanic, I will let this one slide because I want him to hit well and be liked?
Sorry the world don’t work that way and if any of the white players did it McAdam would have wrote the piece. This has nothing to do with race it has to do with Manny’s antics as a ball player.
[...] An Open Letter to Manny Ramirez – BaseballI
Uh… To be the right handed Ted Williams wouldn’t Manny need to be vilified by the media as well?
i didnt want to make it all race related- but when you think of Jim Rice, Mo Vaughn, Andre Dawson all saying they got rough treatment- and Bill Russell saying “boston is a ses pool of racism” you have to wonder why, when their favorite son Varitek is having a horrible year- all the attention is focused on Manny. Undoubtedly he is at fault- but the Sox have made it a point to remind him and all the fans that he makes 20 mil at every turn- Larry Lucchino has manipulated the media and fans to get people to WANT to get rid of Pedro, D-Lowe, Nomar- the list goes on. Im just saying- boston is a blue collar town, people work hard here and deservedly want their ballplayers to do the same- but if your gonna crush manny for “not playing hard” go yell at the guys “fixing” the pike- four guys watching one guy work, cuz thats actually your tax dollars in action- we all live in a glass house is what i am saying
How come “baseball purists” were never any good at baseball? How come the authorities on the game are guys that got cut from JV?
I read Dan Shaughnessys book “senior year” and in it he describes his kid who was going on to play in college as having a “me first” attitude and wasnt a good teammate at times- funny that the guy who has written almost all the anti-manny, anti- nomar articles would have a kid who acts the same way….
Word, Tim. I’m with you.
There is so much insanity in this thread, I don’t even know where to begin.
So, hope everyone is doing well. Manny’s saga will continue until the 31st, then he’ll hit a game winner, and all will be well, and we’ll get eliminated in the ALDS. This is 2005.
That’s funny Sean…I had the same 2005 thoughts this week as well…..Paul however had 2004 thoughts….
I guess we’ll know at the deadline….if Manny stays – 2005, if Manny goes – 2004?
I know….oversimplifying of course….
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