Monday, February 09, 2009

Come on Manny

http://www.dailycardinal.com/article/21986

"There seems to be little debate that when Ramirez’s career is over, he will be known as one of the greatest hitters not only of his time, but in the history of baseball."

What I remember about Pete Rose is his gambling exploits, not his accomplishments on the field - and what I remember about Barry Bonds is not that remarkable moment when I waited up well into the night to witness his historic hit. However, I do wish I could remember that night...only. It was a GREAT night!

While Ramirez has not been arrested/indicted, he should think about how he wants to be remembered. Right? Keeping a clean and untarnished legacy appears to be the furtherest thought from the minds of many athletes. I guess Manny will leave MLB as a greedy selfish Hispanic? He just might if he does not conform to what the organization expects from him: 'You do what we want, accept what we are willing to give, or leave.'

Has anyone told him that he is 37yrs old? He is approaching the 'has been' status.

How many of us talk about Michael Jordan now? It is Kobe this, Kobe that! Rightfully so, he is da mon!!
Perhaps, Manny Ramirez REALLY believes that he deserves more than the 25 million. Maybe he does.

The following could be the issue that he is forgetting:

He has been paid millions to hit a ball while countless men and women from his country, Dominican Republic, barely make $20 a day.

*Approximately 30% of Dominicans live below the poverty line despite a significantly high per capita income.

I just don't get it. Should I?... I am not a 9 time Silver Slugger.

Written by Brian E. Payne.

8 comments:

MUATA NOWE said...

Reader Response:

Brian, Interesting points.

In Manny’s defense, considering his age and free agent status, I think that he has a right to some selfishness since he’s a free agent with no obligation to anyone other than himself.

Also, Manny’s agent has a lot to do with what’s going on. Scott Boras is notorious for being tough and underhanded. With Manny and Boras, I never feel that I am getting the full story.

I can’t fully agree that Manny is approaching “has been” status. His age belies what he does on the field because just a couple of months ago, he single-handedly kept the Dodgers in the playoffs. As long as he is properly motivated, he is among the 5 best players in the game. That is the one caveat with Manny- making sure that he’s motivated. He’s probably got 4 very productive years left in him.

So, I think that there's more to this. I agree that Manny isn't a likable guy but I see Boras as the one who is filling (or polluting) his mind and pulling the strings.

-JR

MUATA NOWE said...

Muata responds to JR:

I certainly understand. However, he is not protecting his image/reputation. If I were him I would want to be remembered in a positive light.

Honestly, who will remember him for the playing of baseball if he does not clean-up his attitude and press for more money while understanding that he is hurting himself to some degree by not accepting something reasonable. 25.2 million is more than that. Right?

-Muata

MUATA NOWE said...

JR responds to Muata:

You're right. He doesn't care about his image; the man (and his agent) wants to get paid. He could go about it in a more professional manner but surly athletes are nothing new. Babe Ruth was a womanizer and alcoholic. Ty Cobb was racist to the bone. Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford were also alcoholics. All of these guys are Hall of Famers and were the highest paid of their generation. Only time will tell if he was smart to turn down that contract because there's usually another team willing to pay more. I think that fans will remember Manny most for being a great hitter and World Series champion than for some of his antics. I would agree that people who don't follow the game closely would remember some of the off-the-field stuff.

We live in a very forgiving society. A few yrs ago, Kobe caught a case for rape, but now, he's the face of the league and is back to making millions in endorsement deals. The rape charge is an after-thought, if that.

-JR

MUATA NOWE said...

Muata responds to JR:

I just asked someone the other day, "How in the world did Kobe bounce back after being accused of raping a white girl?" I am amazed he is back on top without a mumble of that charge.

I guess fans are "forgiving". Or, does it depend on the man/woman?

I assume Phelps will be okay after a while?

-Muata

MUATA NOWE said...

JR responds to Muata:

You're right, it depends on both parties. In Kobe's case, he had a squeaky clean image, spoke well, came from a good family. It turned out that the girl was anything but good. If it was Michael Vick and a white girl????? Now there's a totally different story - Vick is from the hood!

I think Phelps is already forgiven- he's a kid doing kid stuff. If he wasn't a celebrity, that picture would've never been taken.

Once the media calls someone a hero, are they not allowed to be human and make mistakes???!!

-JR

MUATA NOWE said...

Reader Response:

Brian lets put this in perspective. A-Rod (Manny's hispanic brethren) not too long ago signed a 10 year 250mil. Unheard of back then. Did he earn it? Some may argue. He's got some MVP's and some great regular season stats. But no rings. And he clearly disappears in October yet he got paid $25mil a year???

Manny has the hitting stats in regular season and he's clutch come playoffs. Yet he's not worth $25mil?

Imagine one of your co-workers got paid some ridiculous amount of money. You do the same job and some would argue you do it much better. Yeah you're pain to work with at times but when it comes to producing no one can argue what you bring to the table. You'd want the same money your co-worker is getting. Right?

That's all Manny is asking for.

I say give him his money.

-BW

MUATA NOWE said...

Muata Responds to BW:

BW-
He should get what he deserves - but I am not sure how that is determined in professional sports.

As I mentioned, sooner or later your character is what's remembered. Revered. Muhammad Ali is a man of great conviction and principle. He is remembered for that more so...I believe. Warrick Dunn is a dynamic running back. What I cherish about him is his calm and respectful demeanor. TO is a fabulous wide receiver - but I dislike him as a person. Tommie Smith was fast Olympic sprinter. Nonetheless, he stood for something.

Manny has nothing to add to his character and/or reputation that I will share with my children.

-Muata

MUATA NOWE said...

Reader JR Responds:

Manny is worth whatever someone is willing to pay him. Even with athletes of deficient character, there is a lesson to be taught to our children. For every Ali, there's an Iron Mike.

-JR