6/18 vs Manny Ramirez

[yeszir]

Doubront vs Monasterios.

 

Hopefully this team from Boston can beat one from L.A.

 

BOSTON -- The enigmatic slugger spent 7 1/2 seasons with the Red Sox, providing dramatic hits, flaky moments, and, yes, his fair share of controversy. There has never been anyone quite like Manny Ramirez, who generated an overflow of emotions -- both positive and negative -- during his time in Boston.

 

So when Ramirez comes back to Fenway on Friday night for the first time since the blockbuster trade that sent him to the Dodgers on July 31, 2008, it's hard to know just what type of reaction he will get. In a way, the situation is about as unpredictable as Ramirez himself.

 

"I don't know. He was here a long time and put up great numbers and helped win a couple of World Series," said second baseman Dustin Pedroia. "Who knows, because you never know what the fans are thinking. It should be interesting, but I don't know what to expect. It's going to be fun to see what goes on."

 

When he steps into the box wearing that Dodgers uniform -- with No. 99 on his back -- and is introduced by public address announcer Carl Beane, will fans think back to all the key hits he provided en route to two World Series championships? Or will they remember how disenchanted Ramirez had become by the end of his time in Boston, all but demanding the Red Sox find a new home for him in the heat of a pennant race?

 

"Well, you know, I might be not the right guy to comment about that, saying what the fans have to do or don't have to do," said slugger David Ortiz. "But I think people have got to keep in mind that we're talking about a guy that has a lot to do with two World Series that we won here in the first place.

 

"This organization has had tons of players coming through over the years. And I think as long as this organization waited to win a World Series, having a guy like Manny, especially being the MVP in the [2004 World Series], he deserves a lot of respect because of that and doing what he did, seeing things from the positive way."

 

Ortiz knows as well as anyone that Ramirez was downright mystifying at times with some of his antics. But he also knows the monster numbers the left fielder put up each year.

 

"He came in here after signing an eight-year deal and shows up very single year," Ortiz said. "It's more than earned -- respect from fans and things like that. That's the things that I would focus on as a fan."

 

But fans aren't always as even-keeled when they examine a situation like this.

 

"Once he left, I was pretty mad, because how could you do that to this great town? I am really interested to see his first plate appearance. I am pretty sure people are going to boo him," said Red Sox fan Josh Guzman. "I am bittersweet towards the situation and don't like that he left, but he helped the Red Sox get those two championships. It was sad to see him go, because he helped us a lot, so I wished he stayed here. I would personally boo him, and that is what I can imagine the fans will do as well."

 

Smack in his prime during his time in Boston, Ramirez hit .312 with 274 homers, 868 RBIs and posted a .999 OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging).

 

"He's one of the best hitters to ever play the game, so you got to watch him and learn a lot from his hitting," said first baseman Kevin Youkilis. "He had a great routine of hitting. If you sat back and watch, you got to learn a lot. He was very helpful in that respect. The one thing I learned from him was the routine of hitting and his approach."

 

Another thing Ramirez was through much of his time in Boston was a near constant source of entertainment. Through the good, the bad and the ugly, there was never anything dull about the right-handed hitter.

 

How about that night in July 2004 when Ramirez made a diving stop in short-center field of Johnny Damon's relay throw, allowing Baltimore's David Newhan an inside-the-park homer? That is a moment that will never be forgotten by anyone who witnessed it.

 

"That's one of the few times I was able to laugh after a tough loss," said manager Terry Francona. "I remember that night on [ESPN], they were all laughing, and it was hard not to laugh. He was so proud of himself. He left his feet and made a great play, and just listening to Damon, and everyone else, it was hard not to laugh."

 

How does a left fielder ever come up with the idea to cut off a throw from his center fielder?

 

"You know, Manny is a little bit of a different breed," said J.D. Drew. "He's got his own little characteristics and he can be one of the greatest players at times, and other times, you kind of scratch your head. He's a unique character, that's for sure."

 

Drew's favorite head-scratcher?

 

"I think a prime example of that was the time in [Anaheim in July 2008] when he dove for that ball and then rolled back on top of it," Drew said. "I don't know if he was worried about somebody shooting bullets at him or something. He was staying low on it. That's one time as an outfielder, you just kind of scratch your head and go, 'What in the world is going on in his head over there?"'

 

There likely won't be any comedy from Ramirez in the outfield this weekend, as Dodgers manager Joe Torre indicated the slugger will serve as the designated hitter in all three games.

 

But Ramirez's bat has always provided quite a storyline on its own.

 

Francona was with Ramirez from 2004 until the trade in '08. Francona spent much of his time marveling at what a tremendous hitter he was, but plenty of other moments putting out Ramirez fires either through the media or internally.

 

"A lot happened," Francona said. "[He is a] great hitter. [He] did some remarkable things on the field. Sometimes, especially early, there were times when he would make an out, and I would sit there and think, 'How did he make an out?' That's not fair. But he was so good and so dangerous, that sometimes when he made the out, you would say, 'That's not fair.' That's how good he was."

 

Reliever Manny Delcarmen -- who grew up in Boston as a Red Sox fan -- knows full well how much emotion the fans will have on Friday night.

 

"It's going to be pretty exciting with him coming back to Boston," Delcarmen said. "I want to see how the fans are going to react having him here. It will be pretty cool seeing him again. Hopefully I get to face him, so I can say in my career I actually faced him and did well."

 

Ramirez will arrive at Fenway with a .295 average, seven homers and 33 RBIs. At the age of 38, perhaps he is finally slowing down a little.

 

"He's always been one of the best hitters in the game. Having him and David back-to-back, I always thought we had one of the toughest lineups ever," said Delcarmen. "You put them in any lineup and they are going to do damage. He can go the other way or he can turn around and hit a fastball right to the Mass Pike. He did a lot for Boston and it will be fun having him back."

 

As was often the case during his time in Boston, Ramirez is in the midst of a season-long media boycott. When he does talk, Ramirez just about always says something that makes people laugh.

 

When the Red Sox were down, 3-1, in the 2007 American League Championship Series, as loose as could be Ramirez asked reporters what the big deal was.

 

"If it doesn't happen, so who cares? There's always next year," Ramirez said that day in the clubhouse in Cleveland. "It's not like the end of the world or something. Why should we panic?"

 

Ortiz still gets a chuckle out of it.

 

"Yeah, I remember one of the best lines from Manny was when he said it's not the end of the world," Ortiz said. "And we ended up winning that year. So that tells you that there's no way you can put pressure on the guy. He knows how to figure things out. Everybody had a way to do things and a different way to react with things. This guy, I never saw him panic. It's hard to be like that, but that's a gift. That's what makes him so good."

 

Last May, Ramirez was suspended 50 games for violating Major League Baseball's performance-enhancing drug policy. That was a big blow to Ramirez's image, and he hasn't been quite as outgoing as when he first arrived in Los Angeles.

 

"But you watch him, he still messes around when they introduce him in LA, he gets up on the top step," said Torre. "He's still having fun. When he first came over here, he was like giddy, and it sort of rubbed off on the players. And it's still been there for the players ever since then. I think the suspension last year certainly knocked him a little bit. I think he was embarrassed by it and the whole thing."

 

Even the Red Sox players who weren't around during Ramirez's lengthy stint with the club seem intrigued by what will be in store Friday night.

 

"It is going to be interesting," said center fielder Mike Cameron, who was nearly traded from the Mets to Boston for Ramirez in 2005. "I am interested to see how he is doing. It looks like he is starting to heat up. I'm looking forward to seeing him come back here. As much as the chaotic things he did here, I hope the people remember what he gave them. I am pretty sure he will get some cheers and jeers."

 

There were nights Ramirez simply electrified Fenway Park. Remember the rocket walk-off blast he hit off Francisco Rodriguez -- then with the Angels -- in Game 2 of the 2007 AL Division Series?

 

"That was a huge home run, but there are so many like that, because he's one of the best right-handed hitters to play the game," said Youkilis.

 

"I am excited to see him again," said Red Sox fan Heather Scott. "I liked him because he was funny and he had a great personality. It made watching the games more fun. He was my favorite, so I miss him quite a bit. I would definitely cheer him in his first at-bat. I think the reaction will be mixed. A lot of people liked him."

 

Through it all, Ramirez was very much a lightning rod for Red Sox Nation.

 

"Everyone is different," said Youkilis. "I think you question everyone at some point. It's part of the game. He's just a different guy, but there are a lot of different guys in the clubhouse. As a superstar, you stand out a little bit more."

 

Whatever Ramirez does during his three-day visit back to Boston, it is sure to stand out.

 

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100617&content_id=11299016&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos

[BoSox21]

If they can find a way to attack his dreadlocks, they can defeat him.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

I will do absolutely nothing when he's introduced because I couldn't begin to give a f***.

[YAZMAN]

I'll be at the game Sunday, I hope he doesn't bag out of playing.

[VA Sox Fan]

Go yeszir mojo!

[BigPapiEnFuego]

He better not get Booed when he is introduced. But seeing as how a lot of people eat the s*** that the media spoon feeds them I wouldn't be surprised.

[WhiskeyBreath]

What are the odds he fakes another hamstring injury this series?

[CoachC.]

He better not get Booed when he is introduced. But seeing as how a lot of people eat the s*** that the media spoon feeds them I wouldn't be surprised.

 

He better get booed .... hard and loud.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

Even though he didn't supposedly hustle enough and had a bit of an attitude problem does not diminish the fact he was one of the best players the organization ever had. Booing him would be downright stupid.

[redsoxrules]

Even though he didn't supposedly hustle enough and had a bit of an attitude problem does not diminish the fact he was one of the best players the organization ever had. Booing him would be downright stupid.

 

not to mention a big part of the 2 WS they won , he was huge in playoffs

[italstallianion]

No more green background mojo?

[Keeper]

I would neither boo nor cheer because there are compelling reasons for both, so they cancel each other out. And he wants a strong reaction from the crowd. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

[Spudboy]

Well he's going to get booed. And so what?

 

Granted, he was a prolific offensive talent and made huge contributions while here.

 

But, he bullied his way out of town. He Bitch Slapped Youk in TV, and threw a 64 year old man to the floor because he couldn't get enough tickets for his friends. He faked injuries. And when he landed in L.A., he stated that he hated his 8 years in Boston. The ~37,000 in attendance tonight put over $20. mil. a year in his pocket for 8 years.

 

Maybe they just want to say "thanks".

[Spudboy]

I would neither boo nor cheer because there are compelling reasons for both' date=' so they cancel each other out. And he wants a strong reaction from the crowd. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.[/quote']

 

Exactly.

 

I'd prefer something like what the Rangers recieved when they took the ice in Mystery Alaska.

 

Just ignore him.

[jacksonianmarch]

Boo him? He and Ortiz were the two biggest players in your two championships. I think you have to cheer the guy, even though he left on unpleasant terms

[yeszir]

No more green background mojo?

 

Shame

[italstallianion]

I think that Keeper is right, he deserves to be boo'ed and cheered.

[VA Sox Fan]

DODGERS (38-28)

 

Kemp CF

Martin C

Ethier RF

Ramirez DH

Blake 3B

Loney 1B

Belliard 2B

Johnson LF

Carroll SS

 

Pitching: RHP Carlos Monasterios (3-1, 2.98).

 

RED SOX (40-28)

 

Scutaro SS

Pedroia 2B

Ortiz DH

Youkilis 1B

Drew RF

Beltre 3B

Varitek C

Cameron CF

Nava LF

 

Pitching: LHP Felix Doubront (MLB debut).

[VA Sox Fan]

not to mention a big part of the 2 WS they won ' date=' he was huge in playoffs[/quote']

 

I agree. But I think he'll get a mixed reaction. I wouldn't boo him.

[yeszir]

http://redsoxgirl46.mlblogs.com/Manny%20Ramirez%202.jpg

 

http://swamigp.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/ortiz_manny.jpg

[VA Sox Fan]

http://redsoxgirl46.mlblogs.com/Manny%20Ramirez%202.jpg

 

http://swamigp.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/ortiz_manny.jpg

 

Great moments/memories!

[Spudboy]

The Sox DFA ed Bonser.

[YAZMAN]

Boo him? He and Ortiz were the two biggest players in your two championships. I think you have to cheer the guy' date=' even though he left on unpleasant terms[/quote']

 

The earth may stop spinning, but I'm going to agree with this.

[Palodios]

The Sox DFA ed Bonser.

 

That's too bad. Now Victor Martinez is back to being the slowest runner on the team.

[Spudboy]

That's too bad. Now Victor Martinez is back to being the slowest runner on the team.

 

:lol:

 

But, who do the Sox have for long relief? Not that Bonser had proved his worth, but still?

 

I'm hoping he clears waivers and that he will be back. Someone will claim him.

[Jasonbay44]

I would personally cheer for Manny, although he left on a bad note, he was a huge contributor in the last two world series championships we won.

[riverside sluggers]

Carlos Monasterios (1 game vs Boston, 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA-----Career at Fenway Park in 1 game, 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA)

Marco Scutaro, 0 for 3

Dustin Pedroia, 2 for 3 (.667 avg)

David Ortiz, 1 for 2 (.500 avg) HR, 2 RBIs, 2 Walks

Kevin Youkilis, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) Double, RBI, K

J.D. Drew, 1 for 1 (1.000 avg) HR, RBI

Adrian Beltre, 1 for 2 (.500 avg)

Jason Varitek, 1 for 2 (.500 avg)

Mike Cameron, 0 for 2

Daniel Nava, 0 for 2, K

///

Darnell McDonald, 1 for 1 (1.000 avg)

 

Felix Doubront (1 game vs Los Angeles in 1 game, 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA-----Career at Fenway Park in 1 game, 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA)

Matt Kemp, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) Triple, RBI, K

Russell Martin, 0 for 2, RBI, Walk

Andre Eithier, 0 for 3, K

Manny Ramirez, 1 for 3 (.333 avg)

Casey Blake, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) Double

James Loney, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) 2 RBIs

Ronnie Belliard, 1 for 2 (.500 avg) Double, Walk

Reed Johnson, 1 for 2 (.500 avg)

Jamey Carroll, 0 for 1

 

Monasterios on the road in 8 games, 2-1 with a 4.24 ERA

[msubulldogs21]

He better not get Booed when he is introduced. But seeing as how a lot of people eat the s*** that the media spoon feeds them I wouldn't be surprised.

 

I think it's going to be a mix somewhere in the range of 60/40 boo/cheer, but despite all the frustrating times from a fan's perspective he is still one of the best players to ever don a Red Sox uniform. This team has had a ton of success since '04, but people are quick to forget that before that it wasn't all that great. Manny was a huge part of that '04 WS team (and '07) as well as the WS MVP and I think he deserves to get a loud ovation. I was very disappointed with the way he left town, but I'm not going to let that wipe away all the fantastic memories of him crushing baseballs over the Monster for 8 years.

[VA Sox Fan]

I think it's going to be a mix somewhere in the range of 60/40 boo/cheer' date=' but despite all the frustrating times from a fan's perspective he is still one of the best players to ever don a Red Sox uniform. This team has had a ton of success since '04, but people are quick to forget that before that it wasn't all that great. Manny was a huge part of that '04 WS team (and '07) as well as the WS MVP and I think he deserves to get a loud ovation. I was very disappointed with the way he left town, but I'm not going to let that wipe away all the fantastic memories of him crushing baseballs over the Monster for 8 years.[/quote']

 

Great post. Every member of the 2004 WS team will always have a special place in my heart, same fo the 2007 team but we all know how special the 2004 WS win was.

[VA Sox Fan]

Good luck to Felix Doubront!