Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
Greetings, FanNation. Please allow me to introduce myself. I’m the new weekend blogger, and let me be the first to say the pleasure is mine.
Some brief background about me. I recently left the Hartford Courant after a lengthy stint there that included seven years as the Red Sox beat writer, from 2000 to 2006. I also covered the New England Patriots and UConn women’s hoops, both for one season. My last day at the Courant was July 31, the day the Red Sox traded Manny Ramirez. I was hired earlier this week by SI.com, the same week Manny is gracing the cover of SI.
Upon pulling the magazine from my mailbox and seeing that marvelous picture of Manny sliding home feet first, I immediately thought about the night in Seattle in 2002 when he broke his finger on the catcher’s shin guard with a headfirst slide. I don’t remember him ever going headfirst to the plate and I’m guessing that was the last time he ever tried to score from first on a double to LEFT field.
After reading Tom Verducci’s story, another thought popped into my mind. I recalled Johnny Damon once telling me, “A happy Manny is a productive Manny.” I’m predicting Manny will be happy in Los Angeles because the environment is more laid back and Dodger fans aren’t obsessed with the players the way Red Sox fans are, which bothered Manny, who disliked the fame that came with the millions he made in Boston. Of course, Manny’s career in L.A. is contingent on the Dodgers meeting his salary demands. The Mets probably would, considering Omar Minaya’s obsession with Manny, not to mention he would make a perfect centerpiece in Citi Field.
I don’t care that Manny is 36. The man can still mash. His .332 overall batting average was his highest since 2002 and his .430 slugging percentage was nearly 20 points higher than his career.
Daniela Hantuchova
Jessica Gomes
Did You See That?
Back in Time: July 3
Comments (9) Add A Comment
Welcome, I have no comment for Manny tho..Dodgers now...always next year.
Does to many drugs
Total Comments (3902)
Hey!!! Yuck fou!!! Go Dodgers
Doughboy24
Total Comments (2)
Typical of Red Sox fans. If they can't think of anything useful to say, they resort to profanity
Cardsfan99
Saint Louis , MO
Total Comments (2)
Sorry, too much celebration after the Sox owned the Bays last night....I meant "At least the Red Sox had the balls to off-load Manny, who was probably their best player"
Red Sox County
Kaysville , UT
Total Comments (5)
MannyBoras wants 4/100 million and they're not going to get it. Any GM with a clue (including Minaya and Cashman) know this was Manny going full tilt for a huge payday and if he got it he'll go back to be Manny being Manny. All the free agents looking for big contracts this winter are going to be sadly dissapointed at the offers they get. Not a single team will increase it's payroll next year and most will cut as much as they can. Party time is over Scotso!
Johnny B.Goode
Blue Point, NY
Total Comments (2277)
i think many is a very very very good player a super star who will make any team better
issa
Bronx , NY
Total Comments (848)
.430 Slugging Percentage? Perhaps you meant .430 On Base Percentage? His slugging percentage for the year was .601. It is worth noting that in Los Angeles, his OPS+ was 213, better by far than any full season. That also suggests that it won't last. For the year, his OPS+ of 164 is very comparable to the 165 he put up just two years ago.
rfaronson
Oakhurst , CA
Total Comments (5)
Dear Dodgers:
No Backsies!
Sincerely,
Red Sox
Sourgrapes
Marietta , GA
Total Comments (94)
As rfaronson said, his OBP was .430, not his slugging percentage.
The Pitt Panther:…
Telford, PA
Total Comments (43501)
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