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Manny Ramirez News & Rumors

Oakland A's co-owner Lew Wolff not against signing Manny Ramirez
January 27
San Jose Mercury News
 
"The A's continued their offseason overhaul by finalizing a one-year deal with outfielder Jonny Gomes on Thursday, and adding Manny Ramirez to the mix reportedly wouldn't bother co-owner Lew Wolff one bit. Wolff told the San Francisco Chronicle on Thursday that he would " have no problems with that on (Ramirez's) talent and his ability." Ramirez, a 12-time All-Star, is attempting a comeback and recently was linked to the A's in a report by ESPN Desportes. He can't play for anyone until the last week in May while he serves a 50-game suspension for violating the league's drug policy last season. Wolff told the Chronicle the suspension wouldn't reduce the A's interest, but he said ultimately"
Manny Ramirez hoping to return to majors, files for reinstatement
December 5
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Manny Ramirez's career appeared to end in disgrace in April when he retired from the Rays in the face of a 100-game suspension for a second failed drug test. But as baseball's winter meetings get under way today, Ramirez is making a bid to get back in the game, filing for reinstatement under a negotiated deal that would reduce his ban to 50 games. The Rays are not expected to be interested this time around. Ramirez, 39, hit just .059 (1-for-17) in five games for the Rays before the news broke, and his departure caused what appeared to be a major void in their lineup, coming a few days after 3B Evan Longoria was injured."
Manny seeks return to major leagues
December 4
Foxsports.com
 
"On the same weekend Pedro Martinez announced his intention to retire, one of his most colorful and controversial teammates has decided to make a comeback. Manny Ramirez, who retired in April following a second violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, plans to resume his playing career, a major-league source told FOXSports.com. Ramirez has hired Barry Praver and Scott Shapiro as his agents and has applied for reinstatement from MLB's voluntary retired list, the source said."
Manny Ramirez denied winter ball bid, seeks reinstatement
September 23
USA Today
 
"Major League Baseball has rejected Manny Ramirez's bid to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic. Rob Manfred, Major League Baseball's executive vice president of labor relations, said Ramirez can't play because he's on the inactive list, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. Ramirez abruptly retired in April after violating Major League Baseball's drug policy for the second time, meaning he is facing a 100-game suspension. "Manny Ramirez cannot play for a major or minor league club or any affiliated organization, including a winter league team, without getting the consent of the commissioner,'' Manfred said, according to Crasnick."
Departed Manny Ramirez may have helped Rays
September 16
Boston Herald
 columnist John Tomase
"With the Rays making their annual September charge from nowhere, now's a good time to ruminate on a tantalizing what-if. What if Manny Ramirez was batting cleanup right now? Lest anyone forget, the Rays made two big moves this winter, signing veterans Ramirez and Johnny Damon to anchor a lineup decimated by free agent departures and trades. Damon has done his part, hitting 14 homers and providing battle-tested leadership. Ramirez was an entirely different story, going 1-for-17 in five games and then shockingly retiring rather than face a 100-game suspension for reportedly failing a second drug test. "We'd be better with Manny," Rays infielder Sean Rodriguez said last night. "You're talking"
Manny Ramirez: A man without a plan
September 14
Boston Herald
 columnist Steve Buckley
"Wasn't it great to see Mo Vaughn and John Valentin return to Fenway Park last month to take part in the annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon? We should not have been surprised. The two former Red Sox [team stats] players were frequent fliers in the Boston philanthropic community during their days here, particularly with the Jimmy Fund. The guessing here is that when they were asked to attend, the two men responded by saying, "What time?" It also was good to see that both Vaughn and Valentin seem to have transitioned well into their post-playing lives. Vaughn runs Omni New York, a business that rehabilitates low-income housing. Valentin serves as hitting coach of the Los Angeles"
Frank McCourt's possible downfall: Manny Ramirez
June 13
USA Today
 
"Manny Ramirez went from hero to drug-stained pariah in his two years with the Los Angeles Dodgers. For fans at Chavez Ravine wanting to see an end to the Frank McCourt era, Ramirez may yet emerge again as a heroic figure. While the Dodgers traded Ramirez to the White Sox last August toward the end of his two-year, $45 million contract, they were still responsible for deferred annual payments of $8.33 million from 2011-13. According to ESPN.com's Molly Knight, McCourt must pay Ramirez all of the 2011 sum by June 30. McCourt has reportedly been borrowing money to narrowly make the Dodgers' last two payrolls (which Knight estimates at about $9 million per pay period)."
Source: Dodgers must pay Manny Ramirez $8.33 million by June 30th
June 13
ESPN.com
 
"The cash-strapped Los Angeles Dodgers must pay Manny Ramirez $8.33 million by June 30, a source said on Monday. The polarizing slugger is due the deferred money from the $42 million contract he signed with Los Angeles before the 2009 season. The Dodgers traded him to the White Sox last year but still owe him an additional $8.33 million in 2012 and $8.33 million in 2013. Ramirez retired in April after failing his second drug test in three seasons. Dodgers owner Frank McCourt had to draw advances against the team's corporate sponsorship deals to meet his June 1 payroll obligations. Last week, USA Today reported that McCourt had the funds to meet payroll on June 15. The Dodgers, through a"
Manny might return to play winter ball
April 30
MLB.com
 
"Manny Ramirez could be returning to professional baseball. Ramirez, who retired on April 8 after being informed he was facing an "issue" under MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, told ESPNdeportes.com on Thursday that he might play for the Aguilas Cibaenas in the Dominican Republic this winter. According to the report, Ramirez has hinted at a possible return in various text messages since his abrupt retirement. "Now I'm getting ready to defend the 21st crown of the Aguilas," Ramirez told ESPNdeportes.com on Thursday. Ramirez has not yet made any arrangements to play in the league, according to the report. "We have not had any direct contact with Manny, but for us it would be"
Before Manny Became Manny
April 26
New York Times
 columnist Sara Rimer
"Hero. Cheat. Prodigy. Ingrate. Free spirit. Knucklehead. Hall of Famer. Pariah. Enigma. Manny Ramirez, one of the great right-handed hitters of his generation, who retired from baseball this month after once again testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, was many things to many people - fans and family and teammates from Santo Domingo to Washington Heights to Cleveland to Boston. Sara Rimer, then a reporter for The New York Times, met Ramirez in 1991 at George Washington High School in Manhattan. Over two decades, she enjoyed a memorable and mystifying acquaintanceship with Ramirez. When I heard that Manny Ramirez had retired, the first person I called was his high school coach,"
Joe Maddon says Manny Ramirez called him after his retirement
April 12
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Manny Ramirez did not go silently into the night, or into retirement. Manager Joe Maddon revealed that Ramirez called him after the news broke Friday and said he was disappointed in himself, but he didn't explain or apologize for his actions leading to the positive drug test that prompted his decision. "He just said he was disappointed; he didn't necessarily apologize," Maddon said Monday. "And I wasn't looking for an apology, actually. I wasn't. He spoke to me kinda like man to man, person to person, manager to player kind of a thing. So I didn't think he owed me an apology." Others might disagree, given the way Ramirez's sudden departure destroyed the Rays' plans and left a major hole in"
Maddon says Manny's 'disappointed'
April 12
Tampa Tribune
 
"Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon revealed before Monday's game he did talk with Manny Ramirez on Friday. Ramirez made the first call, and after the two exchanged voice messages, Ramirez eventually reached his former manager. "I was pretty much taken by it, because I didn't expect that to happen," Maddon said. "The fact that he and I have only been together for a brief period of time personally and as an organization, I didn't know if he'd be moved or motivated to do that, but he was and he was very kind in his comments. He expressed disappointment in himself to me. ... I took him for his word right there." Maddon said Ramirez did not apologize for violating Major League Baseball's"
Rays manager says Ramirez 'expressed disappointment'
April 12
USA Today
 
"Rays manager Joe Maddon said he received a call from Manny Ramirez Friday after Ramirez decided to retire. "He expressed disappointment in himself to me,'' Maddon said, according to the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times. "He just said he was disappointed, he didn't necessarily apologize. And I wasn't looking for an apology actually. I wasn't. He spoke to me kinda like man to man, person to person, manager to player kind of a thing. So I didn't think he owed me an apology.'' Ramirez retired suddenly Friday after Major League Baseball said it notified him of an "issue" relating to its drug policy."
After another report of failed drug test, Manny may have to pay by missing Hall of Fame
April 10
New York Daily News
 columnist Tim Smith
"It was a magnificent day for baseball at Fenway Park Saturday. The sun was particularly brilliant. The well-manicured grass was verdant. The stands were filled with faithful fans relishing the rivalry between the Yankees and the Red Sox. It was a Norman Rockwell portrait of America's pastime. Lurking behind this beautiful portrait is the ugly landscape that can't be swept clean. It's on display in a courtroom in San Francisco where a jury is deliberating the fate of Barry Bonds, Major League Baseball's all-time home run king who is on trial for lying to a federal grand jury about his steroid use. The other side played out on Friday when Manny Ramirez announced that he was retiring rather"
The real losers of Manny Ramirez's exit from the Tampa Bay Rays
April 10
St. Petersburg Times
 
"In theory, the big loser in the Manny Ramirez mess should be Manny Ramirez. His legacy is forever tainted, his shot at 600 home runs gone, his chances for election to the Hall of Fame reduced to all but nil. But you certainly didn't get that sense from how he responded to the positive drug test, walking away rather than fighting or taking his punishment, and definitely not by how he reacted to the news, telling ESPNdesportes.com he was "at ease," that "God knows what's best" and that he was heading off to vacation in Spain. The actual "losers" are the ones left to clean up behind him while he frolics. For example, the Rays. Faced with a depleted roster and slashed payroll in a pricey free"
Happy trails, Manny Ramirez
April 10
Detroit Free Press
 columnist Drew Sharp
"Manny Ramirez would rather quit than fight. And we're all better off for it. The fool got busted for the second time in two years. MLB said it had "an issue" with a drug test Ramirez took in spring training. (Translation: Dude, were you that stupid to chance taking another banned substance after getting suspended for 50 games in 2009?) When notified, Ramirez opted for immediate retirement rather than risk a 100-game suspension as a second-time steroid offender under baseball's stringent drug testing policy had he appealed and lost. Those fretting that Ramirez's actions only bring more blight on a sport still darkened underneath a steroid cloud miss the larger point. Ramirez represents the"
Manny Ramirez picks retirement over 100-game ban
April 9
Detroit Free Press
 
"Manny Ramirez walked away from baseball today after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug, abruptly ending the mercurial career of one of the most talented - and tainted - hitters to ever play the game. The slumping Tampa Bay slugger informed Major League Baseball that he would retire rather than face a 100-game suspension. Ramirez served a 50-game ban for violating the drug policy in 2009, and second-time offenders get double that penalty. "We were, obviously, surprised when we found out about it today, and hurt by what transpired," said Rays vice president Andrew Friedman, who signed Ramirez to a $2-million, one-year contract in the off-season. "We were cautiously optimistic"
Some sour grapes toward Manny Ramirez
April 9
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Gordon Wittenmyer
"Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano said he was surprised and saddened by Friday's stunning retirement of Manny Ramirez in the face of a second positive drug test in two years. Cubs manager Mike Quade said he didn't know enough details to comment. Sean Marshall says he wants his home run back. "The fans threw it back,'' the left-hander said of the seventh-inning homer Ramirez hit off him in the Los Angeles Dodgers' Game 1 playoff win in 2008. "I wish we could relive it over again, and maybe have a better chance of something different in that game.'' The revelation that Ramirez tested positive for performance- enhancers again this spring was a bitter reminder for many in the Cubs'"
Manny Ramirez retires rather than face long drug suspension
April 9
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Manny Ramirez has put up Hall of Fame offensive numbers during a 19-year career marked by run-ins with teammates, the media and his bosses. But run-ins with steroids were part of it as well, and that's what brought his career to an abrupt end Friday. Ramirez, who spent a month with the White Sox last season, chose to retire rather than deal with another investigation and punishment for reportedly violating baseball's drug policy. Indications were Ramirez, who signed with the Tampa Bay Rays for this season, tested positive in spring training for a banned substance, which would have meant a 100-game suspension. It would have been Ramirez's second offense. He was given a 50-game suspension in"
Cubs wonder if juiced Ramirez to blame for ruining 2008 playoffs
April 9
Chicago Tribune
 
"It was three years ago that Manny Ramirez led the Dodgers into the postseason, where they swept the Cubs in three games in the Division Series. That started a downfall from which the Cubs have yet to recover. Some in the Cubs organization believe Ramirez's admitted use of performance-enhancing drugs was instrumental in spoiling what could have been their dream season. Now Ramirez has opted to retire from the Rays rather than serve a 100-game suspension for drug use, leaving some Cubs wondering what happened to the once feared slugger. "We have a lot of respect for him because the hitter he is," Alfonso Soriano said. "But what he did surprises me, like a lot of players surprised me who used"
Guillen lauds overall career of Manny Ramirez
April 9
Chicago Tribune
 
"Even though Manny Ramirez hit only .261 with one home run and two RBIs in 24 games for the White Sox at the end of last season, manager Ozzie Guillen said he didn't "have any complaints or regrets (having) him with the ballclub." Ramirez retired Friday from the Rays, who were playing the Sox, amid drug testing allegations. "Manny, as a friend, as his former manager, he was great for the game, he has done a lot of great things for baseball," Guillen said. "He was one of the best hitters to play the game. He played good for us last year. I wish he could have played better. He was great in the clubhouse." Ramirez was in Chicago long enough to make $1.1 million and still is collecting on more"
Good riddance to tainted slugger Manny Ramirez
April 9
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Phil Rogers
"With the jury out on Barry Bonds, it was Manny Ramirez who has been delivered a verdict. It was unexpected. It was not shocking. While a San Francisco jury deliberates on the tawdry case of the United States vs. Bonds, Ramirez upstaged the all-time home run hitter. He has tested positive for a performance enhancing substance for at least the third time — the second since Major League Baseball instituted penalties. Ramirez was facing a 100-game suspension but did all a favor, opting to retire rather than continue the charade that has been his career since a failed test early in the 2009 season produced a 50-game suspension."
Ortiz on Manny: 'It's sad, man'
April 9
Boston Globe
 
"Not just any baseball news would trump the Red Sox' 9-6 victory over the Yankees in their home opener after six straight road losses to open the season. But Manny Ramirez's sudden retirement -- after the MLB announced he was facing a second suspension in the league's drug prevention and treatment program -- might have done just that, even within the Red Sox' locker room. David Ortiz, who teamed with Ramirez from 2003-08 to form the most dynamic middle-of-the-order tandem of this era and who also endured his own allegations of PED use, said he was stunned by the news. "It's just crazy, man," said Ortiz, "That was the last thing I was expecting, for him to retire and go through all of that"
Positively baffling end to a career
April 9
Boston Globe
 
"Manny Ramirez's career has crashed and burned, disintegrated before our eyes. What a way to go. He apparently just couldn't live without his performance-enhancing drug of choice. To think he could get away with taking it again and not get caught? What a fool. What arrogance. This just completely confirms what we all thought about Ramirez. If there was one player capable of getting caught twice, it would be Manny. Although Major League Baseball did not announce a positive test, it said in a statement it "recently notified Manny Ramirez of an issue under Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Rather than continue with the process under the Program, Ramirez has"
Tampa Bay Rays' Manny Ramirez retires after drug "issue"
April 9
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays knew there were risks when they signed Manny Ramirez, given the controversial reputation that preceded him. But they were stunned and disappointed at the extent of the damage Friday as Ramirez retired rather than face or fight a 100-game suspension after failing a spring urine test for a performance-enhancing drug. "We're obviously surprised … and hurt by what's transpired here," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said. "But as a group we have to collect ourselves and move forward." Ramirez, 38, leaves the game as one of the most accomplished hitters and entertaining players in history, but also the latest to do so with his accomplishments tainted by drug use, having"
Manny violates MLB drug policy, announces retirement
April 9
Tampa Tribune
 
"The reason behind Manny Ramirez's absence from the Rays was made clear Friday afternoon. The Rays DH is retiring because of a drug-related issue. Major League Baseball made this announcement: "Major League Baseball recently notified Manny Ramirez of an issue under Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Rather than continue with the process under the Program, Ramirez has informed MLB that he is retiring as an active player. If Ramirez seeks reinstatement in the future, the process under the Drug Program will be completed. MLB will not have any further comment on this matter." The Rays issued this statement: "The Tampa Bay Rays were informed today by the"
Manny Ramirez takes booing in stride, does not start against Los Angeles Angels
April 7
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Manager Joe Maddon initially had DH Manny Ramirez in Wednesday's lineup but changed his mind, saying he wanted to give him a break because he feels the veteran slugger is pressing, trying to "shoulder too much of the burden" for a struggling offense. Ramirez, 38, ended up pinch-hitting in the eighth of the Rays' 5-1 loss to the Angels, flying out to right to make him 1-for-17 (.059) this season. His day off today won't be hitting related, however, as Maddon said he will miss the series opener in Chicago to tend to a personal matter. Maddon said it's connected to Ramirez's absence last Wednesday, when Ramirez said he was in South Florida taking care of something with his kids. Maddon said"
Manny excused from today's game
April 7
Tampa Tribune
 
"Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon gave struggling DH Manny Ramirez most of the day off Wednesday and excused him from today's game in Chicago to tend to a personal matter after the two spoke Wednesday morning. "I had him in the lineup, and I came in I sat him down and we talked a little bit and I decided to not play him today," Maddon said. "I decided to give him a little bit of a break. I know it's early in the season, but nevertheless, I still think he's pressing a bit." Ramirez didn't say why he would miss today's game, but Maddon said it was connected to his excused absence from the Rays' final spring game March 30. Johnny Damon assumed the DH duties Wednesday, and Sam Fuld took"
Manny attracts early boo-birds as Rays struggle to 0-4 start
April 6
Tampa Tribune
 
"Manny Being Booed. Yes, what Tampa Bay Rays fans there were at Tropicana Field on Tuesday night, 13,000 and change, had paid their way in and that gave them all sorts of rights, which is only right. But those were boos, loud boos and a lot of them, for Manny Ramirez, and it seemed a bit much. Even Pat Burrell got more than four games. Hell, he got months. Never mind that hardly anyone else is hitting for the Rays, as they lost again, this time 5-3 to the Angels, to go 0-4 for the first time in franchise history, which is saying something given this franchise's history. Manny Being Booed. The Rays are four games into their season and they're four games out of first place in the AL East."
Rays upset over fans booing Manny Ramirez
April 6
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Manager Joe Maddon said it was "very unfair" for fans to boo DH Manny Ramirez for his 1-for-16 (.063) start. CF B.J. Upton agreed, calling it "unbelievable." If anything, Maddon said Ramirez — signed to a $2 million free-agent deal in the offseason — is trying too hard. Ramirez, who went 0-for-4 Tuesday with three strikeouts, left the clubhouse before it was open to the media, but the Rays quickly came to his defense. "I want the fans to know he works, this man really works, this man really cares," Maddon said. "It's not working for him right now, but he's going to be just fine. … We need to let him be himself and let Manny be Manny and go up there and not try to carry us. The last thing I"
Manny's swagger unique to Rays
April 1
Tampa Tribune
 
"At some point this evening, perhaps as early as the first inning, Manny Ramirez's name will be announced throughout the stadium and buzz will pass through the stands as the aging slugger strides to the plate carrying his bat, his dreadlocks bouncing off his shoulders. On the mound, Orioles pitcher Jeremy Guthrie will take notice. In the Rays dugout, manager Joe Maddon will smile. "It's kind of fun, because I don't think we've ever had that kind of presence in the lineup yet," Maddon said. "I've seen it from the other side on many occasions. We will see it again this year with different teams, but I don't know if we had that kind of vibe walking up to the plate." The Rays begin their 14th"
Rays take taste test with Manny Ramirez
March 23
Boston Herald
 
"Because you never know what you're going to get with Manny Ramirez, he easily qualifies as the biggest box of chocolates in baseball. That box has fallen into the laps of the Tampa Bay Rays this year. Will they get only yummy, cream-filled goodness from one of the most gifted sluggers in baseball history and none of the yucky, foul-tasting off-field antics? So far, there's been only lip-smacking good times between Ramirez and the Rays. However, the Rays harbor no illusions about who, and what, they've got on their hands. "It's been really interesting,'' said manager Joe Maddon about "Ramirez 2011'' before last night's game against the Red Sox. "Listen, I enjoy it, and I want to believe"
Longo to benefit from Manny's presence
March 20
Tampa Tribune
 
"No one should be more excited about the promising spring DH Manny Ramirez is having than All-Star 3B Evan Longoria. He's the guy who will hit in front of Ramirez. Longoria hit .294 with 22 home runs, 104 RBIs and a .507 slugging percentage without consistent production behind him last year. The threat of a resurgent Ramirez clearing the bases with any swing should get Longoria more pitches to hit. Rightly so, Longoria doesn't put too much stock in spring performances. "We haven't really faced a lot of guys who are going to be in starting rotations, so you don't really get a sense of it," Longoria said. "But I feel more comfortable having him behind me, especially the way he's swinging the"
Rays have had 102 DHs and have found no perfect fit, but maybe No. 103, Manny Ramirez, is the one
March 20
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Aubrey Huff might have been the wrong man at the wrong time, but he had the right perspective on his assignment as the Rays' designated hitter. "Best job in the world," Huff said, and often. "Sit around and hit four times." But for the better part of the Rays' 13-season existence, there has been a lot more designating than hitting. They've tried 102 of them, from Abernathy (Brent, who was 1-for-1 his lone shot) to Zobrist (Ben, who was 4-for-8 in three games). And, aside from Jose Canseco's 31-homer first half of 1999, few have done very well. Going by the simple measure of OPS — on-base percentage plus slugging percentage — Rays DHs have been the least productive in baseball since the"
Manny Ramirez earning raves with Rays
March 15
Tampa Tribune
 
"It was his turn to hit, but Craig Albernaz raised the index finger of his right hand, asking for another moment or two. He was busy watching the guy in the next cage rip into baseballs with a flawless swing, pitch after pitch after pitch. It was early morning during one of the first days of camp, no later than 7:30. Albernaz, a non-roster invitee catcher, was trying to get some cage time before the major-leaguers showed up. One guy beat him to the indoor batting cage at Charlotte Sports Park — the guy with 555 home runs, 2,573 hits and a reputation of being a bit of a slacker. Manny Ramirez. "You get the feeling he had to work hard at his craft," Albernaz said, "but I never knew he worked"
Manny Ramirez making positive impression with hustle
March 1
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The two hits were solid, and the couple of plays in leftfield smooth. But most impressive of the good things Manny Ramirez did in Monday's exhibition, a 6-5 loss to the Pirates, was break from third base on a wild pitch and race home, sliding across the plate with the Rays' first run. Even better was his Manny Being Manny explanation of his hustle: "The game says 'Play Ball,' so I just go and play." Amid all the new and young players vying for attention in Rays camp, it's hard to ignore Ramirez's efforts thus far in terms of work ethic, attitude and performance, with his dash home the latest example. "We talk about baserunning like almost 100 percent of the time during practice in the"
So far, so good with Manny
March 1
Tampa Tribune
 
"Three games into the Grapefruit League schedule, Manny Ramirez can do no wrong. The mercurial 12-time All-Star made his first start in left field for the Rays in their 6-5 loss to the Pirates on Monday, caught the only ball that was hit his way in the air and went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored. He scored while hustling home from third on a wild pitch, sliding to beat the throw from C Dusty Brown to RHP Bryan Morris. There was a time when Ramirez selling out in a spring game might have surprised teammates. "I don't know, man, I just go and play," Ramirez said. "The game says 'play ball,' so I just go and play." Manager Joe Maddon said Ramirez is "buying into everything we're trying"
It seems everyone is mad about Manny
February 28
Tampa Tribune
 
"Denise Cook, a mortgage lender from Chicago, attended the Rays' spring training opener Saturday. In the bottom of the fourth inning, she was strolling on an outdoor concourse at Charlotte Sports Park when a foul ball struck the left side of her head, shattering her $350 designer sunglasses and bloodying her face. Her boyfriend, Bryan, grabbed the baseball. Cook was led to the stadium's first aid station and patched up, big Band-Aid, but nothing serious. Then she realized that Rays third baseman Evan Longoria and new Ray Manny Ramirez were leading off the fourth. Who had bloodied her face? "Please let it be Manny," she thought. Why? "What do you mean why? He's Manny ," Denise Cook said."
In his 19th MLB season, Tampa Bay Rays' Manny Ramirez still gets butterflies In his 19th MLB season, Tampa Bay Rays' Manny Ramirez still gets butterflies
February 27
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Of all things, Manny Ramirez was nervous. The Rays were opening the exhibition season Saturday - successfully, it turned out, with a 9-5 win over the Pirates - and Ramirez was playing his first game for them. But still, at 38, in his 19th big-league season, DH-ing in an exhibition, nervous? "I always get nervous the first game," he said. "Opening day you get kind of butterflies in your stomach." Manager Joe Maddon, having raved earlier about Ramirez's work ethic, said he took the nerves as another positive. "That impresses me," Maddon said. "It tells you how much he cares right now, and I think it's actually a good thing.""
For now, Manny is a Ray of sunshine
February 18
Boston Globe
 
"We can only assume Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon will grow to be amused, if not bemused, by Manny Ramirez. Put it this way: He'll surely collect his personal stash of Manny moments in the next few months. The old Manny stories have already made their way through Rays camp. And if the new ones are the funny kind, not the bad kind, Maddon will survive this. To his credit, the former Red Sox slugger, who last month signed a one-year deal with the Rays for $2 million, showed up five days ahead of positional players and worked out at the Port Charlotte camp yesterday before addressing the media. He told Tampa Bay reporters he was going to play with "a chip on my shoulder'' in 2011 as he tries to"
Tampa Bay Rays' Manny Ramirez after first workout: 'I've got a chip on my shoulder'
February 18
St. Petersburg Times
 
"After a winter of departures, Rays players and manager Joe Maddon liked hearing that Manny Ramirez had been added to their roster. They were even more excited Thursday by the sounds of Ramirez's first morning in camp. First, that he was in the batting cage by 8 a.m. for an extended session with hitting coach Derek Shelton four days before he had to be here. Then, that he talked about how motivated he is to produce this season. "I've just got a chip on my shoulder that I want to be here and I want to get my stuff right and show people that I can play," Ramirez said. "That's just me. I want to go and get that feel back that I've still got it." Said Maddon, "It means it could be a very"
Tampa Bay hopes Manny can be Manny of old
February 17
Tampa Tribune
 
"Manny Ramirez hit in the indoor batting cage this morning at Tampa Bay Rays camp at Charlotte Sports Park and afterward talked about this chip on his shoulder. It's time Manny goes back to being Manny. "I don't know, it's just me," he said. "I want to go and get that feel back that I still got it." And still got it for Ramirez will be, what - 30 home runs, 100 RBIs? A return to his 2008 form when he hit .332 with 37 home runs and 121 RBIs while splitting time between the Red Sox and the Dodgers? "I wish," he said, "but I'm going to go and give all I got." Ramirez arrived at camp five days early to get a jump start on the spring, intent on getting back to the form that has produced 555 home"
Manny Ramirez arrives at Tampa Bay Rays' spring training camp
February 16
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Manny Ramirez showed up today at the Tampa Bay Rays' spring training camp - five days early, it should be noted - ending one of the potential questions of the spring. He didn't make much of a grand entrance (no entourage, just one man with him), introduced himself to the security guard and asked where to find team travel director Jeff Ziegler and how to get to the clubhouse. The Rays were due on the field at 10 a.m. for their first workout of the spring, with at least 37 of the 38 pitchers and catcher expected (and Juan Cruz potentially delayed)."
Rays' Evan Longoria impressed after workouts with Manny Ramirez
February 13
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Evan Longoria had heard all the stories, so he wasn't sure what to expect, either. But after spending a good portion of his offseason working out with Manny Ramirez in Arizona, Longoria is now among those anticipating good things, and good behavior, from the dreadlocked one. "It was good; it was fun," Longoria said. "He hasn't been 'the' Manny - he still jokes a lot and he loves to have fun and he's fun to be around, but he hasn't been that guy I've seen in the past where he's all joking around." Longoria was impressed by what Ramirez has been doing, too. "I've seen the way he's been working out, and his intensity and his intent, and I think he's right where he needs to be," Longoria said."
Getting to know new Tampa Bay Rays Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez
February 6
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Johnny Damon: Johnny David Damon is a bit of an Army brat, born on the base in Fort Riley, Kan., on Nov. 5, 1973, to Staff Sgt. Jimmy and his Thai wife, Yome. He then lived in Japan, Germany and Kentucky before settling in Orlando at age 5. He went on to star at Dr. Phillips High and was a UF recruit before signing with the Royals as the 35th pick of the 1992 draft. Damon met his current wife, Michelle, above left, at a Houston restaurant in 2002 - he proposed with an 8 karat yellow diamond a few years later in a hot tub - and they have two daughters, Devon, 4, and Danica, 2. Damon also has 10-year-old twins, Madeline and Jackson, from his first marriage. Manny Ramirez: Manuel Aristides"
Damon, Ramirez fulfilling 'dream' with Rays
February 2
Tampa Tribune
 
"Manny Ramirez said he passed up more money to play elsewhere. Johnny Damon said he's getting to play for his "dream" team. The two newest members of the Rays – introduced Tuesday at a new conference dominated by optimism and light banter – said they're confident their new team will compete. "Absolutely ... This team could win the American League East," Damon said. "What I really like about this team is you have two guys that you would really like to build any franchise around, and that's David Price and (Evan) Longoria." Said Ramirez, "Like Johnny said: The pitching is great. Me and Johnny, we could help. We have a lot of experience. I think we could work with the young guys and make them"
Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon excited to be teammates again with Rays
February 2
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Indeed they were baaaack, as Manny Ramirez said, settling in next to former and once-again teammate Johnny Damon on Tuesday as they were officially reunited by pulling on their Rays jerseys. They joked and jabbed and exchanged repartee like it was 2004 and they were idiots all over again, and what they seemed to make most clear — at least on this day, the rigors of the season still weeks away — was how much they really wanted to be there. For Damon, it makes some sense as he grew up and still lives in the Orlando area, relishes the American League battleground and, with his attendance-based incentives, can still make a respectable $6 million. "This is home for me," Damon said. "This is my"
Rays officially announce Damon, Ramirez acquisitions
February 1
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Tampa Bay Rays officially announced their new free agent acquisitions of outfielder Johnny Damon and designated hitter Manny Ramirez Tuesday afternoon in a press conference. "It's an exciting day for the Rays organization," Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said. Ramirez, who will make $2 million, is expected to be the full-time designated hitter. Damon, who will earn a base salary of $5.25 million, will likely be the primary leftfielder and potential leadoff hitter; Manager Joe Maddon said he hasn't set settled on a batting order yet. The two veteran hitters were teammates with the Red Sox from 2002-2005 and led them to the 2004 World Series title. "We're baaaack," Ramirez said"
Manny, Damon will make Rays interesting ... and better
February 1
Tampa Tribune
 columnist Joe Henderson
"When the Tampa Bay Rays lost so many key players over the winter, it was natural to wonder just how dull things would be this season at the Trop. It won't be dull, though. The Rays ensured that by signing Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon, deals that will be made official around noon today. Manny will say stuff and hopefully provide some power, because that's what he does. Damon will likely steal some bases and generate some offense, because that's what he does. Well, maybe not so much with the steals - he has 23 combined in 288 games over the last two seasons after swiping 29 in 2008 with the Yankees. He also had double-figures in home runs for eight consecutive years before falling to eight"