~ MARK MCGWIRE and MANNY RAMIREZ 2000 BIG LEAGUE CHALLENGE BAGGAGE LIMITED EDITION MCFARLANE FIGURES ~
MANUFACTURER: MCFARLANE SPORTSPICKS
BRAND: BIG LEAGUE CHALLENGE
TYPE: MLB Baseball
TEAM: ST. LOUIS CARDINALS AND CLEVELAND INDIANS
JERSEY #: 25 & 24
YEAR: 2000
VARIANT: BAGGAGE L.E. BIG LEAGUE CHALLENGE
Brand New and Unopened, Box shows some shelf wear but never opened....
Big League Challenge NOTE: THIS BOX SET WAS RELEASED PRIOR TO McFARLANE AFFILIATION, ENDORSEMENT, OR LICENSED BY MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL!!
INSTEAD OF TEAM NAMES THEY HAVE THEIR OWN NAME ON THE UNIFORMS, ALSO THE SAME TEAM COLORS AND NUMBERS WHICH THEY PLAYED FOR THAT YEAR.
MANNY RAMIREZ IS IN OLD CLEVELAND INDIANS UNIFORM #24 AND MARK McGWIRE IS IN ST. LOUIS CARDINALS UNIFORM #25.
This MLB 2-Pack BIG LEAGUE CHALLENGE features Manny Ramirez , CLEVELAND INDIANS RF, #24 AND Mark McGwire , ST. LOUIS 1B, #25. They were sculptured in an action pose with appropriate team colors Including Players Last Name on their uniforms. It also includes: Base Plate Paint and "Original" Scale: 6-inch Format: action figure Packaging: "Babbage's Exclusive" - Box Set
(box-174)
THIS IS VERY RARE FIND AND A MUST HAVE FOR ANY ST. LOUIS CARDINALS/MARK MCGWIRE and CLEVELAND INDIANS/MANNY RAMIREZ FAN!!!
ORIGINAL PACKAGING IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. HOWEVER, IT IS NEW AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN TAKEN OUT OF PACKAGE!!
Mark McGwire
St. Louis Cardinals — No. 25
First baseman / Coach
Born: October 1, 1963 (age 46)
Pomona, California
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 22, 1986 for the Oakland Athletics
Last MLB appearance
October 7, 2001 for the St. Louis Cardinals
Career statistics
Batting average .263
Home runs 583
Runs batted in 1,414
Teams
As Player
Oakland Athletics (1986–1997)
St. Louis Cardinals (1997–2001)
As Coach
St. Louis Cardinals (2010–present)
Career highlights and awards
12× All-Star selection (1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000)
World Series champion (1989)
Gold Glove Award winner (1990)
3× Silver Slugger Award winner (1992, 1996, 1998)
1987 AL Rookie of the Year
1999 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award
1992 Home Run Derby winner
Major League Baseball All-Century Team
MLB Records
10.61 At bats per home run ratio
49 home runs rookie season
Mark McGwire (born October 1, 1963), nicknamed "Big Mac", is a former Major League Baseball player who played his major league career with the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals.[1] He replaced Hal McRae as the hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals for 2010.[2]
For his career, McGwire averaged a home run once every 10.61 at bats, the lowest at bats per home run ratio in baseball history (Babe Ruth is second at 11.80).[3] In 1987, he broke the single-season home run record for rookies, with 49. In 1998, McGwire and Sammy Sosa achieved national fame for their home run-hitting prowess in pursuit of Roger Maris' single season home run record; McGwire would break the record and hit 70 home runs that year.[4] Barry Bonds, who allegedly also took steroids, now holds the record, after hitting 73 home runs during the 2001 season. In 2010, McGwire publicly admitted having used performance-enhancing drugs throughout his career.
Oakland Athletics (1984-97)
After three years at Southern California and a stint on the 1984 U.S. Olympic team, McGwire was drafted 10th overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 1984 Major League Baseball Draft.
McGwire made the major leagues in August 1986. As a rookie in 1987 he hit 33 homers before the All-Star break and was a unanimous choice for AL Rookie of the Year after finishing with 49 homers, 118 RBIs and a .289 average. His 49 longballs smashed the old rookie record of 38, jointly held by Frank Robinson and Wally Berger. He also exhibited a healthy perspective by sitting out the season's final two games and a chance at 50 home runs to be present at the birth of his first child.
McGwire worked hard on his defense at first base and resisted being seen as a one-dimensional player. He was regarded as a good fielder in his early years, even winning a Gold Glove in 1990. In later years, his mobility declined and, with it, his defense.
McGwire's total of 363 home runs with the Athletics is that franchise's record. He was selected or voted to nine American League All-Star Teams while playing for the A's, including six consecutive appearances from 1987 through 1992. He was one of only four players to hit a ball over the roof in the left field of Tiger Stadium.[5]
1987–91
In his first full Major League season in 1987, he hit 49 home runs, a single-season record for a rookie; he was named the American League Rookie of the Year. McGwire hit 32, 33, and 39 homers the next three seasons, the first Major Leaguer to hit 30+ home runs in each of his first 4 full seasons.[1] On July 3 and 4, 1988, McGwire hit game-winning home runs in the 16th inning of each game.[6][7] Through May 2009 McGwire was tied for third all-time with Joe DiMaggio in home runs over his first two calendar years in the major leagues (81), behind Philadelphia Phillies Hall of Famer Chuck Klein (83) and Ryan Braun (79).[8]
But McGwire's most famous home run with the A's was likely his game-winning solo shot in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 3 of the 1988 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers and former A's closer Jay Howell.[9] McGwire's game-winner brought the A's their only victory in the 1988 World Series, which they lost in five games. However, Big Mac and his fellow Bash Brother José Canseco did play a large part in the 1989 World Champion A's team that defeated the San Francisco Giants in the famous "Earthquake Series".[10]
McGwire's batting average, .289 as a rookie, plummeted over the next three seasons to .260, .231, and .235, respectively. In 1991, he bottomed out with a .201 average and 22 homers. Manager Tony LaRussa sat him out the last game of the season so his average could not dip below .200. Despite the declining batting averages during this time of his career, his high bases on balls totals allowed him to maintain acceptable on-base percentages. In fact, when he hit .201, his adjusted OPS (OPS+) was 103, or just over league average.
McGwire stated in an interview with Sports Illustrated that 1991 was the "worst year" of his life, with his on-field performance and marriage difficulties, and that he "didn't lift a weight" that entire season. With all that behind him, McGwire re-dedicated himself to working out harder than ever and received visual therapy from a sports vision specialist.[11][12]
1992–97
He changed his clean-cut look and grew a mullet, a mustache, and a goatee to look more fearsome. The "new look" McGwire hit 42 homers and batted .268 in 1992, with an outstanding OPS+ of 175 (the highest of his career to that point), and put on a home run hitting show at the Home Run Derby during the 1992 All-Star break. His performance propelled the A's to the American League West Division title in 1992, their fourth in five seasons. The A's lost in the playoffs to the eventual World Series champion, the Toronto Blue Jays.
Foot injuries limited McGwire to a total of 74 games in 1993 and 1994, and just 9 home runs in each of the two seasons. He played just 104 games in 1995, but his proportional totals were much improved: 39 home runs in 317 at-bats. In 1996, McGwire belted a major league leading 52 homers in 423 at-bats. He also hit a career high .312 average, and led the league in both slugging percentage and on base percentage.
St. Louis Cardinals and the HR record chase (1997-2001)
On July 31, having already amassed 34 home runs to this point in the 1997 season, McGwire was traded from the Oakland Athletics to the St. Louis Cardinals. He would go on lead the majors with 58 home runs in 1997. In the last year of his contract, there was speculation that McGwire would play for the Cardinals only for the remainder of the season, then seek a long-term deal, possibly in Southern California, where he still lives. However, McGwire signed a contract to stay in St. Louis instead. It is also believed that McGwire later encouraged Jim Edmonds, another Southern California resident who was traded to St. Louis, to forgo free agency and sign a contract with the Cardinals in 2000.
As the 1998 season progressed, it became clear that McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr., and Chicago Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa were all on track to break Roger Maris' single-season home run record. The race to break the record first attracted media attention as the home run leader changed often throughout the season. On August 19, Sosa hit his 48th home run to move ahead of McGwire. However, later that day McGwire hit his 48th and 49th home runs to regain the lead. Griffey eventually had injury problems during the season and fell behind McGwire and Sosa.
On September 8, 1998 at 8:18 p.m. CDT, McGwire hit a pitch by the Cubs' Steve Trachsel over the left field wall for his record-breaking 62nd home run, setting off huge celebrations at Busch Stadium. The fact that the game was against the Cubs meant that Sosa was able to congratulate McGwire personally on his achievement. Members of Roger Maris' family were also present at the game. The ball was freely given to McGwire in a ceremony on the field by the stadium worker who found it.
McGwire finished the 1998 season with 70 home runs, four ahead of Sosa's 66, a record that was broken three seasons later by Barry Bonds. Since Babe Ruth had hit 60 home runs in 154 games during 1927, and Roger Maris hit 61 in 161 games in 1961 (not breaking the record until after the 154 game mark), some had quibbled whether the single-season record was actually broken. With McGwire breaking the record in his team's 145th game, he laid to rest the issue of the extended season.
Although McGwire had the prestige of the home run record, Sammy Sosa (who had fewer HR but more RBI and stolen bases) would win the 1998 NL MVP award, as his contributions helped propel the Cubs to the playoffs (the Cardinals in 1998 finished third in the NL Central). Many credited the Sosa-McGwire home run chase in 1998 with "saving baseball," by both bringing in new, younger fans and bringing back old fans soured by the 1994 Major League Baseball strike.
1999–2001
In 1999, McGwire hit 65 home runs and drove in a league-leading 147 runs while only having 145 hits, the highest RBI-per-hit tally for a season in baseball history. Sammy Sosa, , hitting 63 home runs, again closely trailed McGwire.
Statistically in 2000 and 2001, McGwire's numbers declined relative to previous years as McGwire struggled to avoid injury (32-HR in 89 games, and 29-HR in 97 games, respectively).[13]
McGwire ended his career with 583 home runs, which was then fifth-most in history. He led Major League Baseball in home runs five times. He hit 50 or more home runs four seasons in a row (1996-1999), leading Major League Baseball in homers all four seasons, and also shared the MLB lead in home runs in 1987, his rookie year, when he set the Major League record for home runs by a rookie with 49. McGwire had the fewest career triples (6) of any player with 5,000 or more at-bats.
Coaching career
On October 26, 2009, returning manager Tony LaRussa confirmed that McGwire will become the hitting coach for the Cardinals, replacing Hal McRae as the fifth hitting coach in Tony LaRussa's term as manager.
On January 7, 2010 Tony LaRussa mentioned that he might consider putting McGwire in the lineup as a pinch-hitter on August 31, should the Cardinals be in contention to make the playoffs, but La Russa admitted it was a dream and he was only kidding.[14]
McGwire received a standing ovation prior to the Cardinals home opener on April 12, 2010.[15]
Honors
In 1999, The Sporting News released a list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players. The list had been compiled during the 1998 season and included statistics through the 1997 season. McGwire was ranked at Number 91. That year, he was elected to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team (though he received fewer votes than any other selected player). In 2005, The Sporting News published an update of their list and McGwire had been moved up to Number 84.
However, in the 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 balloting for the Baseball Hall of Fame, McGwire failed to attain election, receiving 128 of the 545 cast (23.5% of the vote) in 2007, 128 of 543 (23.6%) in 2008, 118 of 539 (21.9%) in 2009, and 128 of 539 (23.7%) in 2010.
A portion of Interstate 70 (see also: Interstate 70 in Missouri) in St. Louis and near Busch Stadium was named "Mark McGwire Highway" to honor his 70 home run achievement, along with his various good works for the city.
Manny Ramirez
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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For other people of the same name, see Manuel Ramirez (disambiguation).
Manny Ramirez
Manny Ramirez during his tenure with the Dodgers.
Chicago White Sox — No. 99
Left fielder
Born: May 30, 1972 (age 38)
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 2, 1993 for the Cleveland Indians
Career statistics
(through September 15, 2010)
Batting average .313
Home runs 554
Runs batted in 1,828
Teams
Cleveland Indians (1993–2000)
Boston Red Sox (2001–2008)
Los Angeles Dodgers (2008–2010)
Chicago White Sox (2010–present)
Career highlights and awards
12x All-Star selection (1995, 1998–2008)
9x Silver Slugger Award winner (1995, 1999–2006)
2x Hank Aaron Award winner (1999, 2004)
2x World Series champion (2004, 2007)
World Series MVP Award winner (2004)
Led AL in batting average in 2002
Led AL in home runs in 2004
Led AL in runs batted in in 1999
Manuel "Manny" Aristides Ramírez Onelcida (born May 30, 1972, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is a Dominican-American Major League Baseball Designated hitter for the Chicago White Sox. A nine-time Silver Slugger, and one of 25 people to have hit over 500 career home runs, he is well recognized for his strong offensive abilities. His 21 career grand slams are tied with Alex Rodriguez for most by any active player, and the second-most all-time, behind Lou Gehrig's 23. His 28 career postseason home runs are also the most by any player in MLB history. Ramirez has been a fixture in the All-Star Game, and is a 12-time All-Star.
Ramirez was allegedly among a group of 104 major league players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs during 2003 survey testing.[1] In 2009, Ramirez was suspended 50 games for violating Major League Baseball's Performance Enhancing Drug policy for taking human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a women's fertility drug typically used by steroid users to restart their body's natural testosterone production as they come off a steroid cycle.[2]
Contents
[hide]
1 Career
1.1 High school
1.2 Minor leagues
1.3 Cleveland Indians (1993-2000)
1.4 Boston Red Sox (2000-2008)
1.5 2001-03
1.5.1 2004 season
1.5.2 2005–06
1.5.3 2007–08
1.6 Los Angeles Dodgers (2008-2010)
1.6.1 2009
1.6.2 2010
1.7 Chicago White Sox (2010-present)
2 Personal life
3 Personality
4 Off the field
5 Career statistical highlights
6 Sponsorship and endorsement deals
7 See also
8 References
9 External links
Career
High school
Growing up in Washington Heights, New York City, New York, Ramirez attended George Washington High School, New York, leaving at the age of 19 years old without graduating.[3] He was a 3-time All-City selection in baseball and as a high school senior was named New York City Public School Player of the Year in 1991, while batting .615 with 14 home runs in 22 games. He was inducted into the New York City Public School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.
Minor leagues
The Cleveland Indians selected Ramirez with the 13th pick of the 1991 draft and assigned to the Rookie-level Burlington Indians for his professional debut. He was named the Appalachian League MVP and was selected by Baseball America as short-season Player of the Year while slugging 19 homers and driving in 63 runs in 59 games, while leading the league in slugging and total bases.
With the Single-A Kinston Indians in 1992, Ramirez battled injuries but still hit .278 with 13 homers and 63 RBI in 81 games and was named as the No.3 Prospect and the "Most Exciting Player in the Carolina League" by Baseball America.
In 1993, Ramirez was named "Minor League Player of the Year" by Baseball America while combining to hit .333 with 31 homers and 115 RBI in 129 games with the Double-A Canton-Akron Indians and Triple-A Charlotte Knights.
Cleveland Indians (1993-2000)
Ramirez made his major league debut on September 2, 1993 against the Minnesota Twins, going hitless in four at-bats as the designated hitter. The following day against the New York Yankees he went 3 for 4 with 2 home runs and a double. His first career homer was against Mélido Pérez.
In his first full season in the majors, Ramirez finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting after batting .269 with 17 homers and 60 RBI in 91 games. He was selected to his first All-Star Game in 1995 and won his first career Silver Slugger Award following the season. In December 1995, Ramirez agreed to a $10.15 million, four-year contract.[4]
From 1993 to 2000, he had 236 home runs and 804 RBI in 967 games for the Cleveland Indians, including a career-high 45 home runs in 1998, and a career-high 165 RBI in 1999, when he hit .333 with 44 homers and scored a career-high 131 runs. On September 30, 1999 Ramirez set the Indians' single-season record for RBIs at 164, beating Hal Trosky's 1936 record of 162.[5] He finished the season with 165 RBI in 1999 were the highest total by any player since Jimmie Foxx (1938). During his time in Cleveland, he played in two World Series: 1995 and 1997.
Boston Red Sox (2000-2008)
2001-03
In December 2000, Ramirez signed an eight-year, $160 million deal with the Boston Red Sox, with $20 million options for 2009 and 2010, pushing the total value of the contract to $200 million for 10 years.[6] Ramirez immediately delivered for the Red Sox, hitting .408 in April. His final season stats were a .306 batting average with 41 home runs and 125 RBI. On June 23, Ramirez hit two monstrous home runs against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park, with the second one hitting the very top of the light tower in left field. The length of the home run was officially listed at 501 feet,[7] just short of Ted Williams' record of 502 feet.[8]
Manny only played in 120 games in 2002, due to a hamstring injury that put him on the DL for more than a month from mid-May to the end of June. Despite this, Ramirez won the American League batting title, hitting .349, and his .647 slugging percentage was second in the league behind Jim Thome's .677. Ramirez hit his 300th career home run on August 26 against the Angels' Ramon Ortiz. It was the first of two home runs of the night for Ramirez, as he went 5-for-5 overall.
In the summer of 2003, Ramirez missed several games with pharyngitis. When it became public that he was spotted in a bar (in the same hotel where Ramirez lives) with a close friend, Yankees infielder Enrique Wilson when Ramirez was supposedly too ill to play in the Yankees series, Boston manager Grady Little benched him for one game. Despite his strong play in the 2003 postseason, the Red Sox lost to the Yankees in a seven game showdown in the ALCS. The new Red Sox ownership and management, trying to rid themselves of his massive contract, put Ramirez on irrevocable waivers, thus making him available to any team willing to assume the remainder of his contract. However, all 29 other teams passed on the opportunity to claim Ramirez.
2004 season
Ramirez at Red Sox victory parade.
In 2004, Ramirez led the American League in home runs (43), slugging percentage (.613) and OPS (1.009); he finished third in RBI (130), sixth in on base percentage (.397), eighth in walks (82), tenth in runs (108), and posted a .308 batting average.
In addition, Ramirez and David Ortiz became the first pair of American League teammates to hit 40 home runs, have 100 RBI, and bat .300 since the Yankees' Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in 1931. Together they hit back-to-back home runs six times, tying the major league single-season mark set by the Detroit Tigers' Hank Greenberg and Rudy York and later matched by the Chicago White Sox's Frank Thomas and Magglio Ordóñez.
In the 2004 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, Ramirez hit a two-run home run off Roger Clemens in the top of the first inning, giving his teammates a 3–0 lead. Ramirez, Derek Jeter (with a single), Ichiro Suzuki (with a double) and Iván Rodríguez (with a triple) became the first All-Star quartet to hit for the cycle during the same inning. His season was capped off by being named the MVP of the World Series as the Red Sox won their first title since 1918.
2005–06
On May 15, Ramirez hit his 400th home run off Gil Meche of the Seattle Mariners. Ramirez is one of only 45 MLB players in the 400 home run club. On July 5, Ramirez hit his 20th career grand slam — and his third of the season — off Chris Young of the Texas Rangers. Off the field, this season was one of much conflict for Ramirez. Persistent trade rumors (generally involving the New York Mets) dogged him all season. After the Red Sox were eliminated in the first round of that year's playoffs by the eventual World Series champion Chicago White Sox, Ramirez once again expressed a wish to be traded. This included a threat to not show up for spring training if his latest demand was not met by Red Sox GM Theo Epstein. Toward this end, in December 2005, Ramirez put his Ritz-Carlton condominium up for sale.
Trade rumors circulated with Ramirez possibly going to the Baltimore Orioles or Mets, but no deal was reached. By January 5, 2006, Ramirez changed his mind, stating to ESPN Deportes he was dropping the demand. His agents, in turn, insisted their client was still open to a trade.[9]
On June 10, Ramirez became the 31st player in history to hit 450 home runs, with a solo shot off Francisco Cordero of the Texas Rangers. Three weeks later, on July 1, he collected his 2000th hit. The remainder of the season was feast or famine for Ramirez: beginning in mid-July, he had a 28-game hitting streak, including 12 multi-hit games, 8 HR, and 28 RBI, but then missed 28 games from mid-August on with soreness in his right knee.
2007–08
Manny Ramirez warming up before a game in 2007.
On April 22, Ramirez was the first of four Red Sox batters to homer in consecutive at bats in a game against the Yankees, tying a league record. All of the home runs were against Chase Wright.[10] On April 29, Ramirez became the fifth player to hit 50 career home runs against the New York Yankees.
Ramirez had a well below average year, finishing with a .296 batting average, 20 home runs, and 88 runs batted in. His season was cut short when he strained his left oblique in late August during a New York Yankees series, but he did return to the lineup for the final home stand of the season. In 2007, he had the highest fielding percentage, .990, among left fielders in the American League,[11] tied for second in the Major League; he was ranked 6th highest in range factor of all AL left fielders, 1.72,[12] 16th in both leagues, but had the lowest zone rating of Major League left fielders with 100+ games: .713.[13] He made two errors during the 2007 season in left field,[14] and tied for 5th overall in the Majors in assists from left field.[14]
In the postseason, Ramirez hit a walk-off 3-run home run in Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In the fourth inning of the series' final game, Ramirez combined with teammate David Ortiz to hit back-to-back home runs off pitcher Jered Weaver. This home run tied him with Bernie Williams for first place all-time in postseason home runs.[15] On October 13, Ramirez hit his 23rd postseason home run, passing Bernie Williams for the most all-time.
He helped the Red Sox to reach and win the 2007 World Series, where they swept the Colorado Rockies. In the 2007 postseason, Ramirez batted .348 with 4 home runs and 16 RBI.
On May 31, 2008, Ramirez hit his 500th home run, against Baltimore Orioles pitcher Chad Bradford at Camden Yards in the 7th inning on the first pitch, becoming the 24th player in MLB history to do so. He joined two other Red Sox players, Jimmie Foxx and Ted Williams in this exclusive home run club.
On June 5, during a game at Fenway against the Tampa Bay Rays, an altercation between Manny Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis resulted from Ramirez objecting to what he believed was excessive - and chronic - complaining about the strike zone by Youkilis in the dugout, as well as the first baseman's penchant for throwing equipment after at-bats. Before the fifth inning - and after the Red Sox-Rays punching session - Ramirez was caught on NESN cameras slapping Youkilis. Ramirez and Youkilis exchanged words and had to be separated by teammates, coaches, and training staff. Youkilis headed out to the field still barking at Ramirez, while Ramirez was escorted into the tunnel leading to the clubhouse by bench coach Brad Mills and trainer Paul Lessard. According to three sources, Ramirez had provoked Youkilis telling him to "cut that [expletive] out."[16] Later in the season, during the series with the Houston Astros, Ramirez had a physical altercation with Red Sox traveling secretary Jack McCormick. The two were arguing over Ramirez's large game-day request for 16 tickets to the game in Houston, when Ramirez reportedly pushed McCormick to the ground after saying "Just do your job." The two were quickly separated and Ramirez later apologized for his behavior.[17][18] The matter was dealt with internally and Ramirez was fined.
On July 25, after sitting out one game against the Seattle Mariners with a sore knee, Ramirez was originally slated to start against the Yankees. Several minutes before the game, however, he informed manager Terry Francona, through a bench coach, that he would not be playing. During this series against the Yankees Ramirez was directed to an area hospital for an MRI on both knees, the results showed no damage.[19] When back in action, Ramirez frequently did not run out ground balls. Assuming that this was due to his displeasure about his contract situation, many Red Sox fans and reporters, including Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe, called for Ramirez to be traded.
Los Angeles Dodgers (2008-2010)
A "Mannywood" banner in Downtown Los Angeles.
On July 31, 2008, Manny was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-way deal, in which he was almost traded to the Florida Marlins. The Boston Red Sox acquired outfielder Jason Bay and minor league infielder Josh Wilson,[20] and the Pittsburgh Pirates got infielder Andy LaRoche, and pitching prospect Bryan Morris from the Dodgers, and outfielder Brandon Moss and pitcher Craig Hansen from the Red Sox.[21]
Ramirez has always worn uniform number 24, but the Dodgers have retired that number in honor of Hall-of-Fame manager Walter Alston. Ramirez countered the Dodgers' suggestion of 28 by suggesting 34, but no Dodger has worn that number since Fernando Valenzuela. Ramirez finally accepted number 99, but the next day asked for 28, the Dodgers' original suggestion. However, the Dodgers' marketing department had already begun producing merchandise with number 99, so Ramirez stuck with that number.
Ramirez was named the National League Player of the Month for August 2008. He hit .415 (44-for-106) with seven doubles, nine home runs, 25 RBI and 21 runs scored during the month. He finished the season with the Dodgers hitting a .396 batting average, 17 home runs, and 53 RBI.[22]
Manny Ramirez at Dodger Stadium when the Dodgers clinched the NL West, September 25, 2008.
Ramirez finished the season with 37 home runs and 121 runs batted in. Among all major leaguers, he finished 3rd in batting average, 2nd in slugging percentage, and 3rd in OPS. WIth Ramirez in the line-up, the Dodgers won the National League West, then swept the Chicago Cubs in a division series before losing the National League Championship Series to the eventual World Series winner Philadelphia Phillies in five games. During the playoffs, Manny hit .520 with 4 home runs, 2 doubles, 11 walks and 10 RBI.
Ramirez was fourth in the voting for the 2008 NL MVP award, with 138 points, behind Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard, and Ryan Braun.[23]
After the Dodgers lost in the playoffs, Manny was asked about his future. "Gas is up, and so am I", was his reply, indicating that he expected to be valued highly in the free agent market. After long and contentious negotiations that dragged into the start of spring training, Ramirez signed a two-year $45 million contract with Los Angeles on March 4.[24]
2009
On May 7, 2009, Ramirez was suspended 50 games for violating Major League Baseball's Performance Enhancing Drug policy.[25] In the announcement provided by Major League Baseball, Ramirez was suspended for an unspecified violation of section 8.G.2 of the joint drug agreement. Shortly after his suspension was announced, Ramirez stated that he had seen a physician who unknowingly prescribed medication that is banned under the MLB drug policy. After consulting with the MLBPA Players' Association, Ramirez waived his right to challenge the suspension.[25] According to an ESPN report, the drug used by Ramirez is human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a women's fertility drug typically used by steroid users to restart their body's natural testosterone production as they come off a steroid cycle. It is similar to Clomid, the drug Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi and others used as clients of BALCO.[26]
Ramirez during a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque.
During his suspension, Ramirez was allowed to workout at the Dodgers' facilities and he trained with Dodger coach Manny Mota.[27] To get back into shape he was allowed a short rehab stint in the minor leagues.[28] Ramirez played two games with the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes, where his appearance led to record crowds for the Isotopes.[29] He played several games with the Single-A Inland Empire 66ers, homering in his first at-bat with the 66ers.[30] Ramirez returned from his suspension and reclaimed his starting role with the Dodgers on July 3 against the San Diego Padres.[31]
On July 21, Ramirez hit his 537th career home run, passing Mickey Mantle for 15th place on the all-time home run list.[32]
On July 30, The New York Times reported that Ramirez tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs during Major League Baseball's 2003 survey testing.[1] Ramirez, a member of the Boston Red Sox at the time, was among 104 major league players to test positive.[1]
2010
On April 10, 2010, Ramirez recorded his 2,500th career base hit with an infield single against the Florida Marlins.[33] On April 18 against the San Francisco Giants, Ramirez hit his 548th career home run to tie Mike Schmidt for the 14th place on the all-time home run list.[34] He hit his 549th to pass Schmidt on May 28 against the Colorado Rockies.[35] On June 19, he hit a home run in his second game back at Fenway Park.
In 2010, Ramirez had three separate stints on the disabled list.[36] When he returned from the third trip on August 21, he apparently had lost his starting job to Scott Podsednik.[37] As a pinch hitter, he was ejected on August 29 by home plate umpire Gary Cederstrom one pitch into his at-bat for arguing a strike call. That appearance was his final one in a Dodger uniform.[38]
Chicago White Sox (2010-present)
Ramirez was claimed on waivers by the Chicago White Sox. The Dodgers awarded Ramirez to the White Sox on August 30, receiving no prospects, but with the White Sox assuming the $3.8 million remaining on Ramirez's salary.[39]
Personal life
Originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in 1985, Ramirez joined his parents who relocated from the Dominican Republic to Washington Heights, a predominantly Dominican neighborhood in New York City. He played outfield for George Washington High School from 1989–1991.[40]
In 2004, Ramirez missed a Red Sox game to become an American citizen.[41] He entered the next game running onto the field to a standing ovation while carrying a small American flag held in his hand. He planted the flag in the left outfield corner of the field, in the shadow of the Green Monster, where it remained for the entire game.
Ramirez has three sons: Manuelito "Manny" Ramirez (b. 1995) from a previous relationship; Manny Ramirez, Jr. (b. 2003), and Lucas Ramirez (b. February 2006) with his current wife Juliana. In the off-season, the family lives in Weston, Florida.
Personality
Manny Ramirez asks the first base umpire if he went around on a swing.
Many stories depict Ramirez as a carefree individual whose concentration is dedicated solely to playing baseball. One story took place in his early years with the Cleveland Indians in June 1994. As teammates were gathered in the Indians clubhouse watching news of the O.J. Simpson Bronco chase, Ramirez asked what was going on. A player responded, "they are chasing O.J.", to which Ramirez responded in disbelief, "What did Chad do?" (in reference to their current teammate Chad Ogea).[42]
Ramirez has been described as a prima donna[43] and has periodically displayed a lack of enthusiasm and/or concentration, with mental lapses in both the outfield or running the bases. These incidents are typically described as "Manny Moments" or "Manny Being Manny." The first known documented usage[44] of the phrase "Manny Being Manny" is attributed to then-Indians manager Mike Hargrove, quoted in a 1995 Newsday article.[45]
Off the field
In 2007, Ramirez requested and received permission from the Red Sox to arrive late to spring training for family reasons. It was later revealed that during his absence Ramirez was scheduled to appear at the Atlantic City Classic car auction.[46] It is unclear whether the appearance was scheduled before or after the family situation. Ramirez chose not to attend the auction.[47] A remodeled car that Ramirez had put up for bidding at the auction did not generate a high enough bid to be sold.[48]
Ramirez missed the White House reception for the Red Sox 2007 World Series championship. President George W. Bush quipped: "I'm sorry [Ortiz'] running mate, Manny Ramirez, isn't here. I guess his grandmother died again. Just kidding. Tell Manny I didn't mean it."[49]
Ramirez is mentioned in the song "Dump the Clip" by Army Of The Pharaohs, along with David Ortiz. He is also mentioned in the song "Battle Cry" by the same artist.
Career statistical highlights
Led League
American League batting crown (2002, .349)[50]
Led AL in home runs (2004, 43)[50]
Led AL in RBI (1999, 165)[50]
3-time led AL in slugging percentage (1999–2000, 2004)[50]
3-time led AL in OPS (1999–2000, 2004)[50]
3-time led AL in on base percentage (2002–03, 2006)[50]
Twice led AL in intentional walks (2001, 2003)[50]
League Top-Ten
8-time Top 10 AL in total bases (1996–99, 2001,2003–05)[50]
8-time Top 10 AL MVP (1998–2005)[50]
9-time Top 10 AL in home runs (1998–2006)[50]
8-time Top 10 AL in RBI (1995, 1998, 1999–2001, 2004, 2005)[50]
5-time Top 10 AL hitters (1997, 1999–2000, 2003, 2006)
6-time Top 10 AL in times on base (1997, 1999, 2003–05)[50]
Honors
12-time All-Star (1995, 1998–2008)[50]
World Series MVP Award (2004)[51]
2-time Hank Aaron Award (1999, 2004)[50]
9-time Silver Slugger Award (1995, 1999–2006) [50]
Member of Major League Baseball's Latino Legends Team [52]
Postseason
2-Time World Series Champion (Boston, 2004, 2007)
Tied with Pete Rose for longest LCS hitting streak (15) [53]
Other
9 straight seasons of at least 30 HR and 100 RBI. (1998–2006, tied for 3rd longest in history)
27-game hitting streak in 2006[54]
Hit 500th Home Run on May 31, 2008 in the 7th Inning vs. Baltimore Orioles off of Chad Bradford.[55]
Career rankings among active players and on the All-Time lists (as of the end of the 2009 season)
546 home runs - 4th and 15th
21 grand slams - 1st and 2nd (to Lou Gehrig)
1788 RBI - 4th and 23rd
.313 batting average - 7th and 78th (tie)
.410 on base percentage - 7th and 36th
.591 slugging average - 3rd and 8th
1.001 OPS - 4th and 10th
1025 extra base hits - 4th (tie) and 24th (tie)
212 intentional walks - 3rd and 10th[56]
28 postseason home runs - 1st
74 postseason RBI - 1st
Sponsorship and endorsement deals
He was featured on the cover of the Sega Genesis video game World Series Baseball '96
He was featured on the cover of the EA Sports video game MVP Baseball 2005
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