Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN’s Enrique Rojas has an interesting article today. The title: Manny Ramirez still wants to play. Not overseas. Manny wants to play stateside for a MLB team. So far no takers.
According to Rojas, Ramirez and Miguel Tejada have a “training headquarters” set up at a community park in Hialeah, Florida. Never mind that Ramirez hasn’t been in a MLB game since early 2011. And don’t mind that both the Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers willingly gave Ramirez a chance (that’s all you can ask, right?) before requesting to be released.
The article didn’t pique my interest because of location or that Tejada is there as well (although that did raise an eyebrow). No, it was due to a couple of quotes.
"“My qualities are still there, and I just need an opportunity to continue showing that the ‘Super Manny’ can help a team.”"
“Super Manny”, eh? Still in the third person, I see. Wait. Is that with or without the “enhancement”?
"“Three weeks ago, I received a call from Taiwan to check if I wanted to return there, but I feel I can still help in MLB, in a role similar to Jason Giambi in Cleveland, for example,” Ramirez said. “If it is God’s will, I could play in MLB this season. I just need a team to open the doors. I can help in the field and in the clubhouse for the younger guys.”"
That last sentence simply gave me the giggles. Not so much the last part about helping younger guys. That’s not too far-fetched, but you could change your mind after watching this. Roll it…
Help in the field? If you say so…
Then there’s this from Manny:
"“But one thing I can say: For an MLB team, it would be a blessing to have players like me and Miguel Tejada, only by our experience. But you never know what they are thinking.”"
Yes, Manny (19) and Tejada (16) have a combined 35 years, or at least part of these 35 years, experience. Tejada played in 53 games last season for the Kansas City Royals. Sorry for the reminder, Royals fans.
Thing with Manny Ramirez is that aside from the abbreviated stint with the Rays in 2011 and a September callup in 1993, he has produced everywhere he’s been. In any season where he has played in at least 90 games, which has occurred in 17 of his 19 seasons, he has always posted a OPS+ over 100. The lowest was 125, his rookie season while he was with the Cleveland Indians.
Granted, we’re three years after the debacle with the Tampa Bay Rays, but could Manny’s bat and experience be a positive for a young team as Ramirez suggests? All it takes is one team to believe in that same thought.
Would you want Manny as a member of your favorite team? Willing to bet it would have to be another AL team that gives him a call.