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Francona clearly no fan of Ramirez

Print | Comments () Posted by Eric Wilbur, Boston.com Staff February 22, 2012 12:43 PM

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The New York Times's Tyler Kepner doesn't hold back much in questioning Manny Ramirez's return to the majors, but it's a quote from former Red Sox manager Terry Francona that is the most explosive portion of the piece.

Ramirez, who will be 40 by the time he can play again, is a ghostly reminder of a tainted era with a long history of roguish behavior. Terry Francona, his nice-guy manager in Boston, once said this to Peter Gammons, "Manny Ramirez is the worst human being I've ever met." That might say it all.

It is indeed a loaded statement, one somewhat balanced by more genial comments made by Rays Joe Maddon and Evan Longoria, both of whom knew Ramirez for a whole two months. Francona, of course, toiled with the hopeful Oakland Athletic for four-plus years. According to Gammons's MLB.com column from last November, Francona made the comment in 2008, not long before Ramirez was dealt to the Dodgers in a deadline deal.

Ramirez, of course, still needs to serve a reduced suspension of 50 games before he can play in the majors again, but he also has to make the club.

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About the Author

The Boston Sports Blog is written by Boston.com's Eric Wilbur and is a unique blend of commentary from the perspective of both a fan and journalist. Wilbur is a longtime observer of Boston sports and is always up for a healthy debate. The opinions expressed are his own. He is not part of the Globe sports department.