The Legacy Of Manny Ramirez

When you think of great players riding off into the sunset you typically envision some sort of retirement ceremony celebrating a storied career in front of cheering fans. In the case of Manny Ramirez he just called in like he was using a sick day and told major league baseball he was through with the game. If it were anyone else you might be surprised by the abrupt ending to a hall of fame career, but not Manny. Throughout his playing days Manny became an enigma for his aloof, quirky, strange personality. Whether you loved him, hated him, or just plain didn't understand him Manny Ramirez was one of the most colorful (and talented) baseball players of the last 50 years.

Since his days in Cleveland Manny has been one of my favorite players. I was heart broken when he signed with the Boston Red Sox because I knew I couldn't root for his team to do well. Boston (unless you're from there) is one of those teams you grow up hating and wish bad things upon. Somehow Manny made the Red Sox tolerable and I was genuinely happy for him (not the Sox) when he won his 2 world series titles there. With Manny there was never a dull moment and you learned to expect the unexpected. It wouldn't surprise you if he pulled out a cell phone in the middle of an at bat and roped a single up the middle. It wouldn't surprise you if he started eating a cheeseburger while catching a routine fly ball in left field. It wouldn't surprise you if he swung at a pitch over his head. Teams let him do whatever he wanted because they knew what he was capable of producing on the field.

From Cleveland to Boston to Los Angeles to Tampa Manny was consistent in his inconsistency. His talents could carry a team for months and his attitude in the club house could tear a team apart. If he wasn't such a great player there's no way in hell any organization would have put up with his antics. As we close the book on "Big Flossy" I wonder how he will be remembered. Will he be remembered as a steroid abuser? An unruly head case? A home run hitting RBI machine? However you remember him I guarantee Manny Ramirez is not a player you will soon forget.