I Miss Manny Ramirez

Here is what I’m sick of, watching old sports highlights during Corona hiatus. I can’t take it. It was cool for about two days, now I can’t see another clip for an old sports highlights. There is one exception. When the Red Sox posted this video, my eyes were glued. God, do I miss Manny Ramirez. I’m not sure there will ever be another player quite like Manny.

Manny Ramirez was a goofball, but he was our goofball. Nobody pulled out more cheese than Manny and we loved him for it. No player will ever get away with what he got away with again. Imagine if a player pushed a team employee and then never got punished for it today. We loved Manny Ramirez for who he was. Manny being Manny and Boston sports fans wouldn’t want it any other way.

The short clip the Red Sox only covered a handful of great moments. In fairness, Johnny Damon had a horrific arm so I blamed Damon for Manny cutting off his throw in the outfield. That’s how every Boston sports fan thought though.

Manny hanging out in the Green Monster probably can’t be topped. However, this catch has to be a close second. It’s probably my favorite catch in the history of baseball.

The fact that Kevin Millar hit the ball and Manny had the time to high five a fan while doubling off a runner at first is too perfect.

My favorite home run hit by Manny Ramirez? That’s an easy one. 2007 Game Two of the ALDS against the Angels. It was that moment I knew the Red Sox were going to win the World Series that year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPxkBUUfdAY

Manny Ramirez might have been the best pure hitter I’ve ever seen. I don’t think he gets the proper respect because he’s more so known as just Manny being Manny. This was a bonafide star and someone baseball would cherish today. .312 average, .411 on base, .996 OPS, and 555 career home runs. How many players end their careers with those numbers? Manny Ramirez wasn’t just a good player. This is one of the greatest baseball players to ever live.

Yes, Manny was a goof at times. People forget about the fact that Ramirez was so smart. There would be times where a pitcher would throw him 3 straight fastballs, then he wouldn’t swing at any of them and go down looking. You would scream at your TV like “Manny, WTF are you doing”? That was part of his plan. Next at-bat, the pitcher would be dumb enough to throw the breaking ball and Manny would hammer it. Then the pitcher would go back to the fastball and Manny would crush it. If you go back and watch how Manny analyzed every at-bat, you appreciate him so much more.

The biggest gift Manny ever gave us? Well, outside of two championships, it was David Ortiz. On more than one occasion, Ortiz credits Manny for teaching him how to hit. People forget the fact that Ortiz was just downright bad in Minnesota. The Ramirez and Big Papi middle of the order is still the most dangerous duo since I’ve been alive. I won’t hear any other arguments. Manny Ramirez was part of the 2004 Red Sox team that changed the course of history forever. Who knows, without Manny and Ortiz, the Red Sox might still be cursed.

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If there’s one player I could bring from the past to the present, it might be Manny Ramirez. In a sport that needs more fun, Manny Ramirez brought that every single night. He was also one of the greatest hitters of all-time and could change the complexion of a lineup over night. I miss Manny Ramirez and you should too.