He plays the Green Monster well.

After that he's more of a circus act than a baseball player while patrolling (emphasis on ROLLING) the outfield.

Anyone else have an opinion on this very tired and selfish dude?

Apologists for his brutal defensive play and his me me me attitude...please speak up....if you can still defend him.

a few career numbers...

BA = .313
Hrs= 510
RBI= 1672

2 world series rings in the last 4 seasons.

The guy can flat out hit and obviously he has never hurt his team in any way. If anything he is able to keep guys lose and provide a great example to young guys through his intense work ethic.

For the most part his teammates love him. HE rakes and rakes and rakes. He does keep the clubhouse loose and by the way, so much of his circus act is propagated by that 4 ring circus called the Boston media.

Think about this; Manny's story about not being happy and management and him argueing came after the Celtics won the championship and before the Patriots reported to camp (real slow time in the news). The Boston media creates more Red Sox news than they report on, they always have and always will.

Yeah standing in the box watching balls hit off the fence 'cause he thought it was a homer (and was busy celebrating with his fists in the air) and winding up on first is a great example for younger players. The guy is a great hitter but a terrible example for young ball players IMHO. I guess several posters think that if you've got the numbers, then you're a great example for kids. There's more to it.

quote:

Originally posted by soxnole:
… Apologists for his brutal defensive play and his me me me attitude...plese speak up....if you can still defend him.

Brutal defensive play?

Teddy Ballgame played defense in 2,152 games and had an FP of .974.

Manram played in 1,673 games defensively with an FP of .978.

Who’s defense was more brutal? And how many articles, books, stories, etc., would you guess there are about Ted's selfishness, true or not?

quote:

Originally posted by baseballregie:
I guess several posters think that if you've got the numbers, then you're a great example for kids. There's more to it.

Read my post and you'll discover that I said he provides a great example to the younger players on his team because of his great workethic. He comes early everyday to workout and take early BP by himself before anyone else is even at the ballpark.

When your best player is your hardest worker your team is usually succesful.

quote:

I guess several posters think that if you've got the numbers, then you're a great example for kids. There's more to it.

You better believe there is. It is a business. Period. Manny made his comments about being traded and the Boston press seized on it and made more out of it than they should. This is about Manny wanting the Sox to pick up his option now. It is business. This is the way business is done in baseball. You use the leverage when you've got it. Cause when you are going down hill the team will not be there for you. Believe that.

He has the numbers. I would venture to say there is no wording in the contract that says you have to be a role model for children so that people will love you. There are morals clauses. If the team didn't like his lack of hustle (perceived). They have redress by fines or other means. I will give you this about Manny, he loves the game and has fun, even at his age.

One simple question. Are the Red Sox better with him or without him? Who would you put there to replace him? What effect would it have on team chemistry? Who is going to go to their fans and proclaim that they will not have a real chance at the World Series by getting rid of Manny? Well we will get somebody who is a better example for the kids? We will try to win, but if we don't, we have a better example for the kids.

He is paid to rake and that is what he does. Is he great or even good defensively? No. Does his defense hurt his team more than his offense helps it? No way! I own a team, I play to win. Period. It is business. It is not LL, HS, College or rec ball. It is pro ball and Manny is a pro hitter and a below average major league defender. Just the way it is.

Manny is a non-story. He's a media production. He's a bit immature and goes off once in a while. But the guy can play. His teammates and coaches mostly tune out the BS because he can play.

Manny probably won't be back next year not because of his antics but because his production doesn't match up with his salary. However, if the Sox can't get the man they want, Manny will be back. It's not just a matter of Manny's bat. Manny is the bat that protects Ortiz.

The Big Picture:

$40,000 per plate appearance??

Go and give props to the hard working stiffs who save all winter to take their family to ONE baseball game and are asked to spend $4 on a hot dog that cost about 10 cents?

I see all the hubbub as a ploy on Manny's part to get more money like another 5 million when the Red Sox pick up the 20 million option.

He even ran thru a stop sign at third and scored and Francona was the first out of the dugout hig fiving him

Manny is a Hall of Famer, pure and simple

Doesn't Manny ask to be traded every year?

I certainly don't know the Red Sox players or coaches, but as long as he can hit like he does and drive in runs, I bet they love him.

Who are they going to replace him with that is better on the field? No way management lets him go until his productivity goes down.

No Way.

quote:

Originally posted by Doughnutman:
Doesn't Manny ask to be traded every year?

Naw. He took last year off. I believe at that time he said he wanted to finish his career in Boston. Maybe Manny could be a reality show. Ho hum!

What is the alternative with Manny? Have Ortiz play left field? Manny could DH but then they have a problem finding a place for Ortiz. Clearly, they think Manny is better in the field than Ortiz. Youkalis probably could play left field better than Manny but then they seem uncomfortable playing Ortiz at first. If Boston did not have a pure DH, then Manny could do that and everyone would be happy. The only time Ortiz gets to play first is in the World Series. Otherwise they are stuck playing Manny out there.

CD,
I think Manny is a prime reason players are taught from almost day 1 in Milb to control only those things you can control, be professional and do your job. It helps keep you focused when Manny does whatever he does.
If the Sox are truly fed up and try to move him(which I doubt unless they take major financial hit to pay another team), it may well be because they feel this kid in AAA is ready.
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp...b&t=p_pbp&pid=452080
Chris Carter came from the Diamondbacks. He has raked, just raked, at every level of Milb up to and including AAA.
Like Ortiz and Manny, he has issues in the field but he could be a much better option than Ortiz in the field and maybe adequate in left field. His arm is a question.

The Red Sox are as much to blame for the antics of Manny as Manny is himself. They are enablers who believe the product on the field is more important than doing what is right. They wouldn't even suspend him after he after he assaulted an elderly employee.

He's on my team so I love him.

Goofball...yes.

Hairy...yes.

Unbelievable hitter...yes.

I'm no expert but I've never seen a player with better command of the strike zone. If I were an umpire and he didn't swing, I'd feel like the pitch HAD to be a ball.

People only rip on the best.

I'll take Manny any day. He's a much better clutch hitter than Arod will ever be even if Arod's the best player omn the planet.

Manny is a numbskull, is numb to pressure situations and is probably the best pure hitter in this generation.

You guys up in Boston are nuts if you think Sox will win it all without Manny.

I wish the Yankees would get him since they need a power clutch hitting corner outfielder. Xavier Nady deon't exactly strike any fear in pitchers and is no Manny.

Professional athletes are role models, whether they like it or not. To say that kids don't look to him as a professional representative of baseball, is a lie. He is a great talent. No doubt about it. Decent in the field, deadly at the plate. Talents aside, some of his actions on (admiring his long singles), and off (beating up a 65 yr old man) are deplorable. He's immature plain and simple. Coaches just ask yourself, if your best hitter stood at home plate and watched a ball hit the wall, and it resulted in a single....what would you do? I'd tell "Manny" to take a seat.

quote:

Professional athletes are role models, whether they like it or not. To say that kids don't look to him as a professional representative of baseball, is a lie.

Nobody said that pro baseball players were not looked up to. All some of us tried to point out is that he is immature and in the end his antics are allowed because he is a hall of famer and a great hitter. I don't think anybody lied about anything.

You can only control what you can control. If kids look up to players it is the responsibility of the player and the organization to act correctly. It is the responsibility of the parents to point out to the children who is an idiot and why. Parents should be role models ultimately. If Manny doesn't and the team doesn't do anything about it. Who is more to blame. Manny for being an immature oaf or the club for allowing it and not having any consequences? Don't you think the club has some blame for enabling? I guarantee that if he batted .250 and his 10 hr's per year that it would not be tolerated.

Just because a guy makes lots of money doesn't mean he is mature or sophisticated.

quote:

Just because a guy makes lots of money doesn't mean he is mature or sophisticated.

...Or has good hair.



Boston should give Manny whatever he wants. If some kid looks up to him, then so be it.