"Manny Being Manny"
Though his hitting ability is undeniable, Ramírez has periodically displayed a lack of enthusiasm and/or concentration on many occasions, with numerous mental lapses in both the outfield or running the bases. These incidents are described as just "Manny Being Manny." The phrase has entered the lexicon of Boston sports fans. In fact, the phrase has been acknowledged and given most of its initial promotion by Ramírez himself. It was coined on July 18, 2005, when Ramírez disappeared into the "Green Monster" during a visit to the mound by pitching coach Dave Wallace with two outs in the top of the 6th inning. When pitcher Wade Miller[8] was ready to resume pitching, Ramirez was nowhere to be found. It is suggested he went to use the bathroom, but there are no toilet facilities inside the scoreboard area. Manny has returned to the wall several times since during pitching changes, but has always returned on time. Ramirez has also been seen playing left field at Fenway with a water bottle in his back pocket.[9][10]
Despite his reputation for lackadaisical conduct, Ramirez is known by his teammates and coaches as a serious athlete who shows up early at the ballpark, keeps himself in good physical shape, and spends extra time in the batting cages working on his swing.
Other incidents of "Manny Being Manny"
* The Original Incident April 4, 1994 - In his first game of his rookie season, Manny hit a two run double in the eighth to tie the game. After the double the announcers commented on how he is a tremendous young hitter, but his concentration has been questioned. Manny was then picked off at second base by the catcher. Ramirez was pinch run for in the 10th inning after drawing a walk.[11]
* December 10, 2001 - Ramírez, in his first season with Boston, claims he is uncomfortable, prompting the new ownership group to create a separate interview room, to ease Manny's transition with the Red Sox.[12]
* May 18, 2002 - Loses diamond earring sliding into third base during a rehab start with the Pawtucket Red Sox. After the game, 13 PawSox players and the Syracuse grounds crew combed the third base area and found the stud, but not the diamond that was worth a reported $15,000.[13]
* September 7, 2002 - requests the song Good Times (I Get High) by Styles P for his plate appearances. The unedited song's obscene lyrics are played over the Fenway Park public address system. [14] [15]
* August 29, 2003 - Manny expresses in an ESPN interview that he would like to play for the New York Yankees.[16]
* August 30, 2003 - Manny misses several games with pharyngitis amid media speculation that he is well enough to play. When the New York Yankees come to town to play, Manny is still too sick to play, but is seen at the downstairs bar of his hotel with Yankees player and close friend Enrique Wilson.[17]
* September 4, 2003 - Manny refuses to pinch hit in a game against Philadelphia, angering manager Grady Little, who benches him the next game.[18]
* July 21, 2004 - From his spot in left-center field, Manny inexplicably makes a diving play to cut off a relay throw from center fielder Johnny Damon, allowing David Newhan of the Orioles to score on an inside-the-park home run.[19]
* July 31, 2005 - After heavy speculation that he would force a trade, Manny enters the game versus the Minnesota Twins as a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the 8th inning, to a standing ovation 54 minutes after the 4:00 trading deadline had passed (he had been booed his two previous games). Ramírez proceeds to chop an RBI single up the middle off Juan Rincon that would prove to be the game-winning hit. After the game, Ramirez is quoted as saying, "Forget about the trade, man. This is the place I want to be, man. It's great, man. They love me here, man. This is the place to be. 'Manny being Manny,' he's great, man... we've been through a lot, this is the place for me, I'm just happy to be here... I'm back!" [20] [21]
* August 24, 2005 - Ramírez, up with one out and the bases loaded, hits a ground ball but doesn't run down the first base line, resulting in an inning-ending double play. The Kansas City Royals rally to tie the game, and eventually win in extra innings.[22]
* August 2006- Manny pulls out of the lineup after the Red Sox lose five games straight at home against the Yankees. Manny did not return to the lineup for the remainder of the season. [2]