Friday, February 18, 2011

Rays Welcome Motivated Manny to Camp

Chip on shoulder, get it?

Ah, Manny Ramirez. I know it was sort of a circus ever since his suspension, but I have fond memories of what he brought yo the lineup before that, and I will miss his bat (at least, when it was potent). Meanwhile, Ramirez has reported to Rays camp "with a chip on his shoulder":

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Manny Ramirez is ahead of schedule in his bid to re-establish himself as one of baseball's most fearsome sluggers.

The 12-time All-Star worked out with the Tampa Bay Rays for the first time Thursday, arriving at spring training with a "chip on my shoulder" and motivated to prove he's still a productive player.

Ramirez agreed to a $2 million, one-year contract, joining Johnny Damon as the biggest offseason acquisitions by the AL East champions.

Slowed by injuries, the 38-year-old hit .298 with nine homers and 42 RBIs in 90 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox last season. He'll be primarily a designated hitter with Tampa Bay, but there's a chance he'll occasionally play left field, too.

The Rays' first full-squad workout isn't until Monday. Ramirez, who'll turn 39 in May, reported Wednesday -- five days early.

"Definitely, I'm looking forward to a new year and to go out there and see what I can do," the .313 career hitter with 555 home runs in 17 seasons with the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Dodgers and White Sox said.

I'm not sure if the Dodgers could have possibly had a motivated Manny on their team this year. But it still bums me out to hear that he will likely be cranking homers for another team. Oh well, at least it's not another NL West team...

photo stolen from here, those dang pranksters (and meddling kids, too)

2 comments:

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

Manny's Motivation = Charlie Sheen's Sobriety

karen said...

I'll miss Mannywood's bat, too. I'm with Saxy, at least he's out of the NL West.