Manny Ramirez went to church in Riga, Latvia on Sunday.
You can erase that from the “Things You Thought You Would Never Read” record.
As not too long ago as Monday, Ramirez was posting images and movies from the Baltic nation. As of this writing, his whereabouts have been unknown, very like these of Daniel Simpson Day.
Ramirez is being honored Thursday in a ceremony at Fenway Park as a part of the 2022 Red Sox Hall of Fame class.
We don’t have any motive to imagine Manny gained’t be there in individual Thursday. But you may wish to hedge any bets that he’ll.
Ramirez was a no-show when the 2007 World Series champion Boston Red Sox visited the White House the next February. After praising David Ortiz, President George W. Bush famous: “I’m sorry his running mate, Manny Ramirez, isn’t here. I guess his grandmother died again.”
“Manny Ortez” is a joint entry into the Red Sox Hall of Fame this 12 months. Their contributions — together with these of Rich Gedman, former GM Dan Duquette and the late Bill Dinneen — will probably be celebrated in an occasion whose proceeds profit the Red Sox Foundation.
The group can even commemorate “The Magic Moment” on Oct. 27, 2004 in St. Louis when the Red Sox ended their 86-year World Series title drought. No phrase if Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore will probably be recreating their victory dance.
Ramirez has “found God.” His relationship with The Creator and a gentle stream of Bible examine movies are a staple of his Instagram feed.
A short liturgy in Spanish the opposite day included verses from Psalm 146.
“I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save … The Lord sets prisoners free.”
For Ramirez, time, too, has had a liberating impact.
That the Red Sox are formally recognizing the contributions made by Ramirez each in 2004 and all through his seven-plus seasons with the group is a testomony to the supremacy of time’s capability to mute negativity and erase bitterness.
Relationships usually finish badly as a result of they finish. Such was the case with the Red Sox and Ramirez.
Still, the choice to honor Ramirez this time was a straightforward one for the franchise.
“Manny is without a doubt one of the most impactful players to wear our uniform. His powerful bat helped us break an age-old curse, cementing his place in Red Sox history. He is a two-time World Series Champion, a 12-time All Star, and a 9-time Silver Slugger,” Red Sox president and CEO Sam Kennedy instructed me by way of electronic mail Tuesday. “His induction into the Red Sox Hall of Fame was not a difficult decision for the selection committee. Manny has been back at Fenway Park several times since his retirement from baseball and has been included in many of our celebrations over the past few years. We look forward to his inclusion in the Red Sox Hall of Fame.”
This is Kennedy’s twenty first 12 months with the Red Sox. He predates the Henry-Pizzuti regime and was there for all however one 12 months of Ramirez’s time with Boston.
Duquette signed Ramirez to an eight-year, $160 million deal forward of the 2001 season. Duquette’s position in gassing up the Duck Boats upon which the 2004 & ’07 World Series champion Red Sox rode has been obfuscated far too lengthy by the Red Sox Disinformation Bureau.
Ramirez was traded to the Dodgers in 2008 after punching his ticket out of Boston and shoving down touring secretary Jack McCormick, who was 64 on the time. Ramirez apologized face-to-face to McCormick in 2014.
After leaving the Red Sox, Ramirez would play for 4 different main league groups. He obtained popped for PED utilization twice earlier than finally calling it quits in 2011.
That similar 12 months, Ramirez was arrested on home battery costs after he allegedly slapped his then-pregnant spouse. The case in opposition to Ramirez was dropped by prosecutors in 2012. Ramirez has mentioned that occasion modified his life, particularly after he was not allowed to see his household for a number of months.
Ramirez’s “playing” profession ended at age 48 in 2021 after an aborted stint with the Sydney Blue Sox. He signed with the group however by no means performed Down Under.
If you want any verification Manny’s swing was all the time PED-free, simply watch his son. Manny Ramirez had the very best right-handed swing in baseball throughout his time within the majors. Manny Ramirez Jr. copies each nuance.
The youthful Ramirez and D’Angelo Ortiz (we gained’t name him “Little Papi” but) are enjoying for the summer season league Brockton Rox. The group, coincidentally, begins its season Thursday night time at residence in opposition to the Worcester Bravehearts.
The Red Sox Hall of Fame doesn’t share the identical misappropriated “character clause” utilized by some BBWAA members to maintain Curt Schilling out of Cooperstown. That Eddie Collins and Tom Yawkey are Red Sox HOF members is ample proof.
It started in 1995 to acknowledge “outstanding” careers of former Red Sox gamers, managers, and executives. There is ample proof that Manny’s contributions to the Red Sox surpasses that adjective.
Ramirez was the primary World Series MVP in Red Sox historical past. (The award was first bestowed in 1950.) In the 2004 World Series sweep of the Cardinals, Manny slashed .412/.500/.588 with one HR and 4 RBI. He hit 274 of his 555 profession HRs whereas enjoying with the Red Sox, along with 11 extra throughout the postseason.
His ninth-inning moonshot in Game 2 of the 2007 ALDS off Francisco Rodriguez completes its fifteenth earth orbit on Oct.5. Somewhere, Manny remains to be rounding second base.
His affect continues to be felt on the Red Sox stability sheet. The group is paying Ramirez $2,023,498 in deferred wage every year till 2026. Thankfully that cash doesn’t depend towards the MLB Competitive Balance Tax.
But Manny’s contributions to the Red Sox do depend within the group’s historical past.
And they’ve lengthy earned the suitable to be acknowledged.
Bill Speros (@RealOBF) will be reached at [email protected].
Source: www.bostonherald.com