Manny speaks...
Though he didn't do it in a formalized setting, Manny Ramirez did decide to speak with the media this morning (watch the video here). This could signal that Ramirez will be heading back to the old days, when he regularly talked to members of the media. He used to, but took a hiatus, finally breaking his silence in the 2007 postseason.
Here's a transcription of what Ramirez said this morning:
"This year we've got a great team. Let's go enjoy and see what happens."
How badly would you like to retire in a Red Sox uniform?
"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."
Does the contract situation give you more determination to show the Sox that you can still play?
"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."
How do you look at last year, with the number down a little bit?
"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."
Are you going to approach the Red Sox for an extension this spring?
"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."
Are you happy here?
"I'm happy, yeah."
You've got two rings. What does that feel like?
"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."
There were so many years when you didn't want to be here. What changed?
"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."
How has being in Boston compared to what you expected when you started with the team?
"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."
How much of staying in Boston has to do with your teammates?
"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."
David Ortiz said yesterday that he expects you to have a monster year this year. Why do you think he said that?
"I don't know. I'm just going to go play the game, man. Whatever happens, happens."
When you say "it's up to them," do you mean it's up to them to do something before the season starts?
"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."
You've said you want to be like Julio Franco. How long are you going to play?
"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."
If the team came to you and said, 'Forget the options, we want to talk long-term deal," would you listen?
"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."
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. Ramirez said, "No, no, no. That's in the past. I don't want to talk about that. Next year." That was it for the interview.
After standing up, out of the huge group of reporters and cameras, Ramirez went over to Bob Ryan, shook his hand, and stood talking to him for a few moments. That was it for his press conference.
We'll be back later with more goings-on.
Our little boy is growing up right before our eyes
If anyone has any gripes with what #24 had to say in this interview, he/she needs the head examined.
Manny has got the ideal attitude to take into any season, especially a contract season - he's out to do his best, have fun, let the chips fall where they may, and wait on the front office to talk extension.
He wants to finish his career a Red Sox, but accepts the fact that may not happen.
There'll be no sulking, posturing or back scenes in-fighting with this player - he'll let his bat do the talking for him.
Gotta love the new 'mature, grown-up" MR...not that the old one was very hard to take. MR is gonnna rock the league this year - watch out!
I think that was pretty classy of Manny to go over to Bob Ryan like that. He obviously was giving Ryan condolences about his son.
This is how option years are supposed to work. You play, management evaluates the season, and then the option is exercised or not. Manny is fine with that. Stop pestering him about, "Are you going to make a stink about contracts?" How many times does he have to say no, he'll do it the right way.
Manny not being A-Rod.
I agree that Manny is becoming a mature adult and the fact that he's coming into spring training in great shape indicates he wants to avoid the minor injuries that come with aging athletes, especially baseball players, who grind out a long season. Recall that it was an oblique strain that hindered him for several weeks and affected the power of his swing, thus his "measly" 20 home runs last year. Still, he was stellar in the playoffs.
I expect him to have a strong season and he and Ortiz will continue to be the best 1-2 punch in the game.
Rock on Manny!
We have a team full of awesome hitters. One ego maniac doesn't make a team!!
First of all I love Manny! Always have and always will. I love the Red Sox!
Attention Boston Media:
DO NOT SCREW THIS UP. Who cares if you have to tippy toe around some of the Manny questions, its great to hear his point of view on hitting, playing etc. Please don't screw this up (I'm looking at you Dan S.) by asking him a stupid question about his past comments (rumored white devil comment) or something similar.
i was trying to go down to fort myers either Sunday or Wednesday anybody know what day would be the best?
maybe john henry could chip in an extra million or two just so Manny could afford to get a haircut.....or buy some new 'rags. personally, I tink he should go for the francona/kapler look this season.
Tomorrow's conversation with Manny:
"Trade me! I get no privacy here!"
What's Manny's T-shirt say?
mature? two rings and looking at a third more like.
Manny is always honest, and I'll bet Howard Cosell would have liked Manny and defended him against the sports writers of today who find it easier to make fun of athletes than to relate to us the intricacies of the game, whichever game it is.
Cannot anyone write an article like John McPhee did in the New Yorker August 2007 about the US Open?
You can have your A-rods, Your Albert Pujols, your Derek Jeters. For my
$$$ there is no better right Handed hitter in Baseball than Bostons very own
Manny Ramirez. Please RedSox management,do not try to finese this contract
into something that could potentialy break up the best 3/4 combination in baseball.
Do the right thing, Sign Manny, before that your competitor in Pinstipes does
making him and Arod ...... A scarier combination than him and Popi.
Hopefully Manny and Popi both have monster years this year. Could be one of the best tandems in baseball. More concerned about the pitching this season.
I think manny will have an typical manny year that is 40 plus bombs over 100 rbis and an plus .300 average and i dont think its because he;s looking for the red sox to pick up the options.he wants to prove alot of the negative boston media wrong especially the morons at WEEI(Mike Adams especially an notorious manny basher.Unlike Adams at leats Manny didnt lock himself into an studio and force management to give him an job like Adams did)
This is awesome I would love seeing Manny in a sox uniform for 10 more years. He is a great hitter and he hasn't asked to be traded in a couple years. But you would haye to be crazy to want to leave the Worl Champions and one of the best teams in the league year after year. GO MANRAM!!!!!!!!!!!!
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