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Being Manny Ramirez

By Tim Daloisio | February 22nd, 2008

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“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…

This entry was posted on Friday, February 22nd, 2008 at 8:44 am and is filed under Boston Red Sox / Tim Daloisio, Manny Ramirez. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

16 Responses to “Being Manny Ramirez”

Mike says:

February 22nd, 2008 at 2:42 pm

—You have a pretty good line on Manny’s thinking. Pretty relaxed, that guy (I never heard about the uncashed checks, though) Manny will have a much improved season and the Red Sox will pick up the first option year in order to at least buy some time in finding (or developing) his eventual replacement. And he IS entertaining,…. can’t deny that.
Wayne says:

February 22nd, 2008 at 3:39 pm

Manny being Manny,,,,,,, Fans of Manny wouldn’t have it any other way. Manny belongs in Fenway as much as Fenway belongs in Manny………..
Jaredk says:

February 22nd, 2008 at 3:46 pm

I think they pick up the options…overpayment on one or two years is now an accepted practice or policy. GM’s (at least on teams with decent budgets) don’t seem to mind overpaying so long as it is short-term, like the Andruw Jones situation in LA. Is Manny worth 20 million in 2009? probably not, but it is better then paying 64 million over 4 years. Buys them some time to evaluate their own prospects and consider free agents after 2009 or after 2010 if the second option is exercised.
Mike says:

February 22nd, 2008 at 5:49 pm

It’s hard to imagine what makes a player worth $20 million,… We thought it was extraordinary when Mays, Mantle and Yaz finally made it to the $100,000 level,…..and then again when Jim Rice became the first TWO million dollar player. My God,….. suppose Fenway seated another 5,000? Where does a $150 million payroll come from? If Manny goes out and puts up 2008 numbers along the lines of .320 - 40 - 120,… then he’ll be back in the truly elite, and nobody would begrudge him the money. Plus the Sox’ chances of repeating would be clearly heightened. A season of .300 - 30 -100 would probably pass the worthiness guage, but for $20M, it really wouldn’t be. I think Manny really wants that “monster season” to put a bit of a flourish on the final years of his career and add to his legacy,… while he’s still capable of it.
Evan Brunell says:

February 22nd, 2008 at 6:11 pm

Manny just switched agents to Scott Boras…
Gerry says:

February 22nd, 2008 at 6:37 pm

It’s getting clearer to me that Manny would like a 4 or 5 year deal, to permanently fix his reputation on a level with Yaz and Ted Williams. IMO this is a priority for him, which means he is thinking like an elite ballplayer about his legacy. He won’t work for nothing, but an incentivized 5/55-65 might entice him to stay. He understands the variables, and would work with Theo.

If other teams, who don’t love Manny, would be willing to pay lots more for 2010, they would only do so because he is still playing at a superior level. In which case he would still help us win. In that case, why would we even think of saying Adios to a decade long hero, fan favorite, who can still hit . . . in exchange for what?

But would we want Manny to stay? Two answers. Yes, because we love Manny, and Yes, if his numbers and health indicate he will play well in 2012, at age 40, he could still be a difference-maker.

So, let Tito and the crew assess Manny 2008 and, if Manny is back, extend him in a generous, but incentivized, contract in which both sides win.
Daniel Rathman says:

February 22nd, 2008 at 9:32 pm

Realistically, if he wants a 4- or 5-year deal, I don’t think the Sox can keep him. It’s simply not worth the risk. I’d pick up his option, but that’s as far as I’d go for now.

Otherwise, assuming the Phils don’t keep him, I’d just sign Pat Burrell.
Mike says:

February 22nd, 2008 at 10:15 pm

— Manny’s longevity with the Sox would be greatly expanded if he could look forward to simply DH’ing in his twilight years,… but Ortiz sort of owns that role, and he’s 3 years younger than Manny. I think that if Ramirez can perform well enough this season to get the Red Sox to exercise those two option years, then that will be all Manny should be counting on, legacy-wise,… career-wise,… or otherwise. He would be 39, rich as hell,…. and his HoF credentials will have been cemented,, have no fear. In any event, I don’t see a 4-year deal.
Daniel Rathman says:

February 23rd, 2008 at 12:15 am

Mike:

I’m thinking that too. But if he wants four years, no deal. The Sox might have the money, but they just can’t keep locking into contracts with players that old.

Of course, I must say that one of the things Theo’s done quite well at is letting older guys go right before they tumble…so perhaps he warrants some trust here.
Z says:

February 23rd, 2008 at 3:09 pm

Have you guys seen the Clemens pic at the Canseco BBQ?

http://www.drodd.com/clemens-at-canseco-barbecue.jpg
Gerry says:

February 23rd, 2008 at 3:26 pm

Hi Daniel,

I like Pat Burrell, but in 2010-2011-2012, I would rather have Manny in LF than anyone else who will hit at the same level . . . assuming Manny still has 4 more good years.

35 year old Manny will turn 38 during the 2010 season, hopefully a young and healthy 38. Pat will turn 33, so getting him would be stop-gap, starting a revolving door in LF, and he might not come too cheap, or have Manny’s remarkable endurance.

Despite baseball’s peripatetic history, some players should just stick with their team, and the team should stick with them. I can’t see Jeter in a Dodger uniform. Manny has become part of the fabric of Boston and its Red Sox. It would be good for everyone if he could end his career here.

If Manny has the great year predicted in 2008, we might assume that 2 - 3 years later he could still be hitting in the .300/375/450/25-30HR range. If Pat, or whomever, is still hitting in the .260/375/450/25-30HR range in 2011 - 12 at ages 34 and 35, I would rather have Manny.

Manny’s health, performance, and happiness in 2008 will help predict what is possible for 2009 - 2012. If he does well, I hope Theo, in late 2008, will sit Manny down and express our desire to keep him with the Sox for four more years . . . but at revised numbers that are fair to both parties, reflecting age, potential for declining #’s, time lost due to possible injuries, etc. (Use Ted Williams as the example for all of the above, including his demand for a lower salary.)

The contract would have incentives built in for performance, staying in shape, playing days, etc. so that, all things being equal, he would get paid well for great seasons, and v.v.

Manny would probably accept it, as this is what he has indicated he wants . . . “for more years” in Sox uniform. Manny, one of the richest men in baseball, can afford to play it fair, knowing he couldn’t do much better starting over somewhere else. And this would achieve other, more personal, more important goals for him. It’s more than the money. If he doesn’t, then he will move on. If he does, we keep our heroes.
Mike says:

February 23rd, 2008 at 4:46 pm

I can see Manny playing LF alright at 38,…… but that’s as far as I would push it. Take the option years and call it a day. And remember, another factor which impacts on the Manny decision is how well the rest of the team is doing in two years. If Youk is hitting 30 HR, and Ellsbury is batting .350,… and some other rookie has stepped up bigtime,… then the case for Manny will be substantially diluted. And that’s how it oughta be,….. call it team evolution.
Mostly Running. says:

February 24th, 2008 at 12:46 pm

Looks like Tito got his contract. Has anyone seen terms mentioned?
Gerry says:

February 24th, 2008 at 2:14 pm

I like your thinking about Youk and Jacoby. Take it a step further.

In theory, in 2010, if 31 year old Youk is .300 with 30HR, and 26 year old Ellsbury is 320 with 15HR, and Drew, at 35 is .300 with 25HR . . . plus Papi at 34, Pedroia and Moss at 26, Lowrie at 25 . . . the Sox will be an offensive threat going into 2011 and 2012. If Manny, at 38, hit .300 with 25HR, they are stronger.

By that time, Anderson, Reddick, Kalish, Tejeda, Middlebooke, Diaz, Amanzar, Place, Dent, etc. will have been knocking on the door to their future, and some will start moving up.

So, back to Manny. Many, many, many athletes, play excellent, if crafty and diminished, baseball until 40. Why not Manny????? His upside in 2012 as a very smart veteran is certainly as high as, say, Kalish as a top prospect. If he wants to retire as a Red Sox, achieve personal performance goals, and would do so for a reasonable wage, I see every reason to try and accomodate him with a contract that works for everyone.

If a healthy Manny, in 2008, hits 310/400/590/35HR, at age 36, this would indicate he could continue to contribute substantially through 2012, even if platooned with a 4th OF.

Despite conventional wisdom, look at the multiple and complex values gained by finding ways for him to play out his career here, as another of the legends that make us the Red Sox.

The formula, therefore, is a contract commensurate with his ability to continue hitting and contributing as a 39 and 40 year old, when he retires, at which time we retire his number, and start our annual Manny days.
Mike says:

February 24th, 2008 at 5:54 pm

–Commensurate is the big word there, Gerry,…. I think that for $20M, you ought to be getting the original Manny. And having said that, I feel Ramirez IS the sort to maintain his conditioning. For the moment, I’m just excited about what I see as improved offensive production in 2008, that I’m willing to defer on the longer range concerns until that time arrives. really think the Red Sox will be a hitting & run machine this season,… Should be fun.
Gerry says:

February 24th, 2008 at 9:39 pm

Great fun. Even without a 50HR hitter, in hitting and HR, the Sox will win again, with HR & hitting depth.

This team could have seven .300 hitters (plus Casey and perhaps Lowrie), nine with 10+ home runs, six of them with 20+, two or three of them with 30+. Throw in 100+SB, and a culture of aggressive baserunning . . . “a hitting & run machine”. Tough on pitchers.

Speaking of pitchers, throw in an entire rotation of 15 - 20 game winners, the top pen, top “D”, chemistry, Tito, and the ability to make trades as needed. Great fun.

If, despite shortened ST, travel to Japan, and an exhibition with the Dodgers, it is possible for this team to start fast through this atrocious opening gauntlet, the Sox could wrap up the season by Toronto.