Manny Screws The Dodgers One More Time

Frank McCourt, owner of the Dodgers, is expected to be able to make his payroll for June 15th, but there are reports that there is no way that he will be able to make payroll for June 30th. A big reason for that is that Manny Ramirez being due $8.33 million of deferred salary, which brings the grand total to somewhere around $30 million (June 15th's was only $10 million). Once McCourt fails to pay his payroll the MLB will officially take over the Dodgers.

This is going to be a growing issue throughout baseball and I doubt the Dodgers will be the last team to be taken over by the MLB. The bottom line is that salaries are completely out of control, and at some point there is going to be a lockout and serious restructuring. McCourt didn't manage his money well from a lot of reports, so it may have been his own fault, but when you read there are 10 MLB teams with huge amounts of debt you know something it wrong.

Manny Ramirez Retires

Manny Ramirez abruptly retired from baseball after another failed drug test for PED, he would rather have retired than serve the 100 day ban. How will I remember Manny Ramirez? I will think of him as a Hall Of Famer (If you read this site, you will know I completely dismiss Steroid or PED when talking HOF), A 2 time champion, I will think of him as the best right hander that's ever played, I will think of him as an asshole, and most importantly I will remember his numbers. Nobody can argue 2,574 hits, the 555 homers, the .585 career slugging percentage, the .996 OPS. Only two other people have put up numbers that gaudy Babe Ruth and Barry Bonds.

So all the people who question his credentials and how he got them can shove it. As much as Manny Ramirez was a pain in the ass for us as Red Sox fans, he was an all time great and should be looked at as that. The Hall Of Fame should be waiting for you Manny and if it's not, it's a travesty.

Idiots Reunited: Rays Sign Manny and Damon

The Rays stirred up the AL East over the weekend by signing former Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez, and former Sox and Yankee outfielder Johnny Damon.

If this were 2006, these would be monumental acquisitions. As it is, these pickups shouldn't shake up the standings too much. But it is something noteworthy to discuss. And if Tampa Bay has a fanbase, it will be entertaining for them to have some big name talent watch.

Manny Ramirez hasn't hit more than 20 homers since 2008. He hit 9 in 90 games last year. His OBP is still as impressive as ever (.409 last year. compared to a .411 career OBP), but his slugging numbers have dropped considerably, ever since he was suspended for PEDs. Coincidence? Perhaps. He's getting up there in years too. He's 38, and it's hard to imagine a resurrection at that age.

Damon hit .271 with Detroit last year. He's 37. He's a slightly less powerful hitter than in his prime, and he was never much of a slugger to begin with. He doesn't get on base (.355 OBP last year), doesn't run (11 SBs, although he was only caught once), and he strikes out (90 last season, 98 in '08).

Manny's contract is said to be worth $2 million for one year, while Damon's will pay him $5.25 million (Source: SI.com). Manny's salary seems reasonable, and should be recouped by the added attention he'll bring to the team. Damon's seems a bit high, especially if the primary goal was to generate interest in the team. Then again, both guys are Boras clients, and this was probably a packaged signing. So Manny is the 39 cent soda that comes with the Johnny Damon value meal.

These signings will give the Rays more press than they will victories. I guess they don't have much to lose with either signing, and at least they'll have some names on the field. But in the long run, these moves are a turn in the wrong direction for that franchise. This reminds me of when they signed Wade Boggs, and when Greg Vaughn was down there. They've acquired names, not talent.

But even when they had no-name talent, and made it to the World Series, their city failed to support them.

It should make Rays/Sox games more intriguing, even if it is just for off-field storylines. The Rays come to Fenway on April 11.

Photo Credit:
John Cordes/Icon SMI

-The Commodore

Starting To Think Manny Won't Be In The MLB Next Year

Maybe I am being a little bold here, but the more I think about it the more I am starting to believe that Manny Ramirez is done in the MLB. He had a terrible year last season, once again pulled shit (this time with the Dodgers), and I just don't see a lot of teams jumping on the chance to grab him. Plus, I think Manny is one of those guys that if he isn't getting paid what he think he is worth he will just walk away.

At this point I think we can all agree Manny is a DH, and no longer an option in the field. So that eliminates all the NL teams. You can put Boston on the list of teams that won't touch him. The rest of the AL just doesn't seem like they will be jumping at the chance.

I thought his best chance was actually going back to the White Sox, but I am sold on the thought they are going to sign Dunn, and resign Konerko, leaving no room for him. The Rays could for the right price, but they have such a young team do you really want this asshole influencing them? Same could be said about teams like the Orioles, Jays, Royals, Indians, A's, and so on. Out of those the Jays are really the only one I can see, because they could use a DH, and have shown in the past they are willing to spend some money.

Just a thought, but what do you guys think? I mean Jermaine Dye sat out all last year, and you could make the argument that he is a better bat at this point.

John Farrell In Toronto Intrigues Manny

Manny, who turns 39 in May, hit a respectable .298/.409/.460 this season. But he played in only 90 games, his fewest since 1994. He also hit only nine home runs. The Dodgers got tired of his act and gave him away on a waiver claim to the White Sox. Ramirez then drove in a grand total of two runs in 88 plate appearances for Chicago. Boston.com

I think Manny in Toronto would be a great signing. Manny would be able to knock in runs and be surrounded by guys who can knock homeruns in. This will give Manny more balls to hit and will probably add more runs to the Toronto lineup. I don't believe Manny is done and if he is able to play DH in a hitters park, he will be a valuable asset. I do miss Manny on the Sox and since he left the lineup hasn't been nearly as scary.

Manny's Career Over?

When the White Sox traded for Manny I really thought he would bust out, much like he did when he joined the Dodgers. Chicago has received absolutely nothing from Ramirez, who is without an RBI in 41 at-bats since being claimed off waivers from the Dodgers. That is not going to help him this offseason when he once again looks for a new contract.

Teams have had to have taken notice that Manny is now not worth the trouble. He forced his way off the Sox, he forced his way off the Dodgers, and now he can't even get it going in the hitters friendly park in Chicago. On top of that add the whole steroids thing, and you got a guy who could very well be black listed, like Barry Bonds has been. I seriously question what he has left in the tank, and although I think he will be on a roster next year he is now only an AL option, and those options could be few.

Manny Being Annoying

Jayson Stark of ESPN wrote a brilliant column about Manny Ramirez's various exits from city to city. And while the ranks of Manny loyalists here in Boston have dramatically dwindled the past few years, there are still some out there who wish to praise this man.

It's true, the Sox won a pair of World Series thanks in no small part to him. That's two rings more than they'd won in the previous 8 decades. Then again, it was pitching that ultimately won those titles. Manny was indeed an irreplaceable part of those Championships, but not quite as irreplaceable as Derek Lowe in '04, or Josh Beckett in '07.

We didn't hear much about Manny's antics in LA, considering it was a few thousand miles, and a separate League away. But he pulled his same crap. He was always inexplicably hurting and couldn't play. He recently got kicked out of a game for arguing balls and strikes. Can you imagine that? Manny, while in a Red Sox uniform, was more docile at the plate than JD Drew. He'd only get kicked out if he wanted to, or if he didn't care if he did.

In Stark's column, he quotes an unnamed NL executive, who makes an exceedingly poignant point about Mr. Ramirez:

How could a true Hall of Famer be whisked out of town like this in two places? Not a lot of Hall of Famers get put on outright waivers -- just take the contract and he's yours -- two different times, the first time when he's still in his prime, right? You don't see that a whole lot.

Manny's career numbers are indeed astounding. 554 homers, 1,828 RBI so far. A career average of .313, with a .411 OBP and .589 SLG (that's an even 1.000 OPS, which is 9th all-time). Then there's 29 post-season HR in only 111 games, with 78 RBI. 12 time All-Star, 9 time Silver Slugger.

Manny Ramirez, despite that female fertility drug stuff, will likely make the Hall of Fame some day. But will he perhaps have an exit from Cooperstown as dramatic as his exits from Boston and Los Angeles? I wouldn't put it past him to harass some security guard, or maybe slap a fellow inductee during the speeches when he gets in.

-The Commodore

Rays 5, Red Sox 3

Don't bury the Red Sox quite yet, but you may want to keep your schedule clear for their funeral. A heartbreaking weekend in Florida has all but sealed their fate. The Sox are now 6.5 behind the Rays and Yankees, and 7 behind in the loss column. With only 31 games remaining, they'd have to pick up one game on either team, once every four games, or about 3 games every 2 weeks. Barring a stupendous run, coupled by a collapse from either Tampa Bay or New York, it's safe to say that the Sox will see their season finish at 162 games.

I'll blame the injuries a bit for this weekend's failures. Certainly Youkilis and Pedroia would have scored some runs. Both teams pitched well, as evidenced by the 17 total runs scored in the series. The Rays just got a few more hits.

But a 162 game season isn't lost in 3 days. The Sox are now 5-9 against the Rays, their direct competitor for a playoff spot. They're also 5-7 against the Yankees.

The Sox play the Rays 3 more times. They also play the Yanks 6 more times. So there's still a glimmer of hope. But the Sox have been 23-19 since the All-Star Break. Like I said, it's not just been one bad weekend, it's been an extended period of slightly above average play.

The Sox have a day off then travel to Baltimore. Beckett faces Brian Matusz. The Sox are 6-6 against the O's this season.

But look on the bright side. It seems as though Manny Ramirez will be returning to Fenway, as a member of the White Sox. That series begins September 3rd.

-The Commodore

Manny Hits Waivers, Probably Going to White Sox or Rays

So the Dodgers put Manny on waivers and it seems that he won't make it past the White Sox or Tampa Rays. Manny is having a rough year with a .313 batting average 8 hrs and 40 rbis, but on an AL contending team he could be very dangerous. The Rays desperately need some protection for Evan Longoria and he would be a perfect fit and Manny would slot in nicely between Carlos Quinten and Paul Konerko in that White Sox line up too. After this year, Manny will probably be an AL DH type of player and that will be huge for him.

I don't care that Manny was a D bag on the Sox and got caught with HGH or whatever it is, he's a hell of a player and has at least another great 3 or 4 years left as a DH.

Manny Returns to Boston

For the first time in ten years, famed slugger, Manny Ramirez will step in the batters box at Fenway Park, as a visitor. Manny has not opposed the Red Sox since 2000 when he was a member of the Indians. In between now and then, Man-Ram enjoyed seven and a half seasons in Boston, where he averaged 36 homeruns and 126 RBI, earning a trip to the all-star game each year. The fruits of his labor paid off in 2004 when he led the Red Sox to their first World Series in 86 years. In four games against the Cardinals, Manny batted .412, with a homerun, and 4 rbi. For his efforts he was rewarded world series most valuable player.
In 2007, Ramirez carried the Sox into the World Series where they won a second championship in three years. He hit one of his most memorable homeruns in a Boston uniform off superstar closer, Francisco (K-rod) Rodriguez to clinch the ALDS against the Angels.

After making upwards of $20 million each year, Manny’s salary began to decrease and he was looking for a new contract, a contract that the Red Sox management was not interested in doling out to the 35 year-old slugger. After reports that Manny had “mailed it in” and caused an infamous confrontation with a Red Sox traveling secretary, the team had had enough of Manny’s antics and traded him to Los Angeles in a 3-team deal that involved the Pirates and most notably, left fielder Jason Bay.

Although baseball analysts will argue that Bay was not only an adequate replacement statistically, but also came at a much cheaper rate, and no excess baggage. As for the Sox fans who felt betrayed by Manny’s childish actions in his final months here, they were able to embrace Bay for what he was, a good outfielder and a good hitter, with the personality of a dead moth.
For the real Sox fans out there, who fell in love in the spring of 2001 when Manny made his first appearance in a Red Sox uniform I hope you can overlook a speed bump in the career of one of the best right handed hitters to ever play in Fenway. The truth is, the Red Sox are struggling to find another left fielder, despite Bay’s production, he never seemed to gel with the team nor did he have the extraverted personality that thrives in a media hotbed like Boston.

Regardless of what the pink hat populous believes in regards to Manny, you know the truth. You know that he was one of the hardest working players to put on a uniform. You know his style of play, his personality, and his smile, yes his smile, will be missed dearly when he decides to call it quits. I hope you will stand with me and cheer one of the greatest Red Sox of all time tonight.

P.S. Rookie Felix Doubront takes the mound tonight for the Red Sox. All signs point toward Manny putting a souvenir in the monster

Red Sox Fans And Journalists Need To Fucking Relax

Here it is plain and simple with the first week of the season under the belt it seems more now than ever the Red Sox are being put on a pussy pedestal and every fan is that 40 year old virgin. I love the culture of the beloved Sox and the passion that follows it, but this is getting fucking ridiculous. Guys, get off of Ortiz's nuts and let the dude rake, its the first week of the season. Let him play a month and get his reps in before we evaluate every single aspect of his game. I understand there are concerns, like how he's getting challenged with fastballs in his happy zone and doing minimal damage...but hes the same guy who tore up the second half and led in almost every offensive category in the second half. All I am saying is that I see all these things too, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't give the dude a chance, seriously this coming the first week in the season is a little much.

Alright, its plain to see that the pen is a problem. Oki is a year older, Pap has become human again after last years blunder in the post season, and Manny Delcarmen, well he just plain sucks...tell me how he was throwing 95+ and is not throwing 90 if hes lucky. Folks we make a lot of fuss over our offense and to be honest and optimistic for once, we have a very solid lineup when they perform to the levels that they are capable of. I know it sucks the era of Manny and Bay have come and gone, but lets stay with the excitement that this team can bring to us. They will be playing a whole different brand of baseball centered on exciting defensive plays and manufactured runs. This team has a lot of talent and a week through the season there is no need to panic over the fact shit hasn't been flawless.

The best has yet to come for our Sox I promise you all that!

Manny Says This Is His Last Year With Dodgers

Manny Ramirez came out and said that this will be his last year with the Dodgers. Not that you can really take anything this guys says seriously, but this is sure to cause a stir in the Dodgers camp. Honestly, I don't think this is a big deal. He knows that he is getting really old, and probably can't play the field too much longer. If he decides to play after this year it will most likely be in the AL, so that he can be a DH.

So, I was fine with all of this until he said...

On the subject of this probably being his final season in a Dodgers uniform, Ramirez continued to gush about the season and a half he has spent in Los Angeles. "That has been great,'' he said. "I wish I could have been there a long time ago (ESPN).''

FUCK YOU. How can you say that? Boston poured it's heart out for you through all your bullshit. You were my favorite player growing up. You won 2 championships here, made a shitload of money, and basically got to do whatever you wanted. You think "Manny being Manny" would have be OK with a team like the Yankees? No.

So, fuck you Manny, I really can't believe you pissed away all the love in just 2 years. Between the steroids, demanding to be traded, giving up on the Sox, and now this bullshit. Go fuck yourself!

Manny To Return To Dodgers

"According to SI.com's John Heyman, Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Manny Ramirez plans to exercise his player option for 2010, one that will pay Manny $20 million to be Manny (ESPN)."

Smart move by Manny. There was no chance he was going to get a better contract, so why not stay put? I think Manny is still a very good player, but I don't think we will ever see him put up the numbers he did in the 2nd half of last season. Still, he is one of the better 3/4 hitters (batting order) in the game.

Mannywood being Mannywood

"The showers at Citizens Bank Park must be nice and hot. You know, the kind with the rotating head that goes from pulse to stream to rainfall. Relaxing and soothing enough to explain how Manny Ramirez possibly thought it would be OK to spend the ninth inning of the most important game of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ season covered by suds. Ah, to live in Manny’s world, where accountability and solidarity take back seats to … personal hygiene? As Jimmy Rollins turned on a Jonathan Broxton fastball with two outs in the ninth inning Monday night and drove in two runs for a 5-4 Philadelphia victory, Manny was blissfully unaware that his season was one game from being over. He’d been removed for defensive purposes before the inning began. When I came out,” he told reporters, “they were turning the TVs off and everybody was coming in.” Instead of being on the bench to celebrate the presumed victory – and, eventually, lament the crushing loss – he was rinsing off and getting ready to towel himself dry. “It’s really nothing different than he’s done before,” Torre said. “I don’t think it’s disrespect of anything. He wasn’t going anywhere until the game was over, and we can’t put him back in the game.The way it turned out,” Torre said, “it probably doesn’t look good.” More

C'mon LA what do you expect. This is what happens when you take Manny out of the NLCS. Did they really expect Manny to sit around and watch the rest of the game? Because if they did, they didn't follow Manny in Boston at all. I mean the guy can barely pay attention when the game is happening. I love how this is going to be a "controversy" in LA, but if it happened back in Boston it would be a normal occurrence. Either way, Manny hasn't been what he has been this whole year, and it is pretty remarkable the Dodgers were this successful without him playing at the level he did last year. The Dodgers are going to lose tonight anyways, so this is really a non issue.

Manny And Ortiz Tested Positive In 2003

"Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003, lawyers with knowledge of the results told The New York Times (ESPN)."

This really just isn't shocking anymore. Basically all that baseball has left is the hope that Griffey and Pujols are clean. The thing that bothers me is how this list keeps coming out slowly. Just let all the names out, so that the MLB and it's fans can move on....

"I'm Backkkkk"

Manny Ram returns to the Dodgers.

"I didn't kill nobody, I didn't rape nobody, so that's it, I'm just going to come and play the game," Ramirez said

He's the man

-Beerman Posts

You Better Go To The White House or.....

your son will be attacked by a pitbull...

"A pit bull owned by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison bit his 2-year-old son in the thigh, but the boy is expected to recover as he remained hospitalized Friday, the player's agent said (ESPN)."

Karma?...seems like it to me. Manny declines the White House, BOOM caught for steroids. Harrison declines, WHAM unnamed woman opens pit bull's cage, and his son gets fucked up....

Manny Ramirez Suspended For Steroids

"The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Manny Ramirez has been suspended 50 games for a positive drug test. Dodger star Manny Ramirez tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. The suspension will begin tonight and last until July 3. The test result and suspension is expected to be announced later today. The Dodgers informed triple-A outfielder Xavier Paul this morning that he was being promoted to Los Angeles. Ramirez is expected to attribute the test results to medication received from a doctor for a personal medical issue, according to a source familiar with matter but not authorized to speak publicly (Boston.com)."

Well there is goes. One of my favorite baseball players (up until last year) is now just another another asshole from the steroid era. There will be a shit load of reports that will come out now about when he used, and for how long, but in the end it doesn't really matter now. He is tainted just like a lot of the best players of the past 15 years. I feel sick to my stomach, I think I need to lay down.

To get back to baseball today...this will really hurt the Dodgers. They do not have a deep lineup, and Manny is kind of the machine that makes it all work. 50 games is a long time to be out, so goodbye Dodgers....



DP's Take:



Major League Baseball is expected to announce Thursday that Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez has tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and will be suspended for 50 games, The Los Angeles Times is reporting.

Well fuck me. This is ridiculous to the point, that every single one of our sluggers have done steroids. For Manny's already tarnished legacy this kills him. He will be looked at as something different as Manny being Manny from now on, he will be looked at as a cheater. But, I'm surprised, and this will definitely kill the Dodgers amazing start too.

Manny Wants To Go Back To Cleveland

Manny Ramirez is already yearning for the old days -- of Cleveland. Ramirez, who early last month signed a two-year, $45 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, says a return to the Cleveland Indians before retirement would be ideal. "I would like to play for Cleveland one more time, to go back where I started," Ramirez told USA Today. "I have so many good memories there, why not? "I think to go back where you started is everyone's dream (ESPN)."

God Manny you really know how to put your foot in your mouth. He just signed a two year deal with LA, and he is already talking about where he wants to go next. He is comes LA, this is how it starts, he already has one foot out the door and he just got there. Manny is a fucking moron, and just likes to say things.

First off the Indians don't want him back. The fans there boo him every time he comes back, and obviously Manny does not play for a discount, so I don't see them spending that kind of on that old of a player. To make matter worse he gets Thome saying he wants to go back...Great, that's what the Indians need to do. Load up on a bunch of old guys. Especially when one of them is coming real close to retirement (Thome).

Well have fun LA, the honeymoon might already be over...

Jose Canseco Outs Manny

I'm not denying Jose Canseco is a scumbag, but you have to give credit to the guy. Everything my former Cuban relative has said, has turned out to be true. He outed Steroids in baseball, and that came true. He outed A-Rod, and that is true. Recently Canseco said that Manny Ramirez is on that list of 104 players from 2003. And he is 90 percent sure. I don't want to believe Jose, but he has shown to be a credible source in the past. His reasoning is that is why he signed a one year contract, because the owners know.

The two faults I see in his argument was the reason he left in Boston/ Boras/ economy, the second fault is him saying the owners know the players on the list. If that was the case it would have been leaked in 3 seconds.

Either way, it will be interesting to see how this pans out. I personally think he is innocent.