Manny being Manny is one thing.
But the question has surfaced in bold type recently whether or not Manny Ramirez's actions in Boston, where he appeared to be tanking it to get traded to the Dodgers, went too far.
The controversial quotes were delivered by MLB on Fox analyst Tim McCarver, according to a report in the MLB on FOX analyst Tim McCarver said, according to a report in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
"It's extraordinary — the dichotomy between what he was in Boston and what he is in Los Angeles," McCarver was quoted. "I mean, talk about wearing out your welcome in a town, and it was a long welcome with the Red Sox. But some of the things he did were simply despicable, despicable — like not playing, refusing to play. Forgetting what knee to limp on. And now it's washed, it's gone."
Is "despicable" a little strong for Manny's actions?
Perhaps. But depending on which coast you live on, you see this thing through different glass.
Looking at how Manny rolled out excuse after excuse for why he couldn't play in those final weeks in Boston, then miraculously seemed perfectly healthy in Los Angeles doesn't sit well with most baseball purists.
But how is this different than someone in the final year of his contract, running out every hit, diving for balls, taking the extra base, all for that extra 1-2 million per year on a multi-season deal?
(For example, see Adrian Beltre).
Thursday night, as the NLCS kicked off with a 3-2 Phillies win over the Dodgers, Manny went 2-for-4, including a double in the first that just missed going out.
Manny hit .398 with 53 RBI in the final two months with the Dodgers. These were numbers only a healthy Manny, playing at his absolute peak, could reach. So why could he not even play in a key game against the Yankees, despite looking completely fine taking batting practice?
Perhaps only one thing could put a rest to the whole "despicable" debacle.
Manny and the Dodgers facing the Red Sox in the Series.
Now that's must-see TV.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Does Manny deserve 'despicable' label?
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5 comments:
I think Manny had a hard time giving 100 percent at the end in Boston because he didn't feel wanted there. It was a divorce in waiting. Both sides probably bear some of the blame, although the Red Sox seem to forget that Manny helped them win 2 world series titles. I would like nothing more that see Dodgers vs. Sox and Manny have a monster series and the Dodgers win. Then Manny would have the last laugh. Manny being Manny ain't so bad.
manny is a loser,him and his agent are bad for the game .he tanked it on purpose so the redsox would trade him,and he could become a free agent.good luck to who ever signs him
"I think Manny had a hard time giving 100 percent at the end in Boston because he didn't feel wanted there."
yeah, having an entire city worship the ground you walk on would make me unwanted to. PLEASE. Boston and Sox bent over backwards for eight years, ignoring his "antics", as not to disturb his fragile psyche. Manny being Manny, at times, was great. But punching your teammate in the dugout? Shoving and pushing a 64 year old senior exec of the team to the floor? Downright shutting it down and not playing the last few weeks? Sorry, helping them win 2 WS, or anything else, was worth the huge liability keeping Manny in Boston was becoming. This was about money, pure and simple, with Scott Boras pulling on Manny's puppet strings.
Anonymous said...
"I think Manny had a hard time giving 100 percent at the end in Boston because he didn't feel wanted there."
yeah, having an entire city worship the ground you walk on would make me feel unwanted to. PLEASE. Boston and the Sox bent over backwards for eight years, ignoring his "antics", as not to disturb his fragile psyche. Manny being Manny, at times, was great. But punching your teammate in the dugout? Shoving and pushing a 64 year old senior exec of the team to the floor? Downright shutting it down and not playing the last few weeks? Sorry, helping them win 2 WS, or anything else, was NOT worth the huge liability keeping Manny being in Boston was becoming. This was about money, pure and simple, with Scott Boras pulling on Manny's puppet strings.
Manny has the IQ of tard without the slobber, but he can hit any pitch 450 feet. So, he makes millions and we all have the chance to love him or hate him. Hard to respect anyone that will lay down and collect a check that large or any size, but it's become very common in this country.
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