Manny Ramirez Apologizes To Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox
Whether it was genuine or merely public relations, it happened. Manny Ramirez not only spoke with the media, but also apologized for his actions with the Red Sox in 2008, including a specific dugout incident with Kevin Youkilis in early June of that fateful season.
“I think everything was my fault.” That’s what Manny told a small group of reporters before Friday night’s rained out game with the White Sox at Fenway. The words themselves seem obvious in retrospect. The fact that Manny uttered them, now that’s shocking…
There’s no doubt that Manny quit on the Red Sox in 2008 to force his way out of town. He was traded to the Dodgers at the deadline and quickly transformed into Ted Williams during the final 2 months of the season.
Clubhouse chemistry is overrated in baseball, but not in this case. Manny was voted off the team Survivor style. Nobody wanted him there, and not one member of the organization thought they could rely on a dedicated Ramirez down the stretch.
So the deal that had to be made was made. The Sox agreed to a relatively impressive trade to acquire Jason Bay and remained competitive. The Sox had a bigger issue in the playoffs (Josh Beckett’s health), and Manny’s absence did not cost them a World Series title in 2008.
To hear these comments is truly mind-boggling. Ramirez never talks to the media, and seemed to be content with the actions that sent him to “Mannywood” two years ago.
Granted, he took away from the apology several times by saying that it takes a “real man” to admit one’s mistakes, but it was an apology nonetheless. Manny even said that he would have come back to Boston had the Sox placed a claim.
Maybe he’s genuinely contrite. Maybe it’s an attempt to prove that he’s somehow changed. After all, Manny’s a free agent and might be in search of his final big league contract this winter.
Either way, it has to be somewhat refreshing to Red Sox Nation.
Manny was remarkably productive in Boston, and he’s arguably the most feared right-handed hitter of the last 15 years. There’s no doubt that the Sox lost an intimidation factor in their lineup, but it didn’t have to happen this way.
The Sox had a club option on this guy for 2011, but Manny rendered it meaningless with his childish behavior.
He signed the original 8-year contract, but didn’t want to play out the final stages in Boston.
He sat out key games, watched pitches go by, manufactured injuries, and was wholly unreliable in his final days in a Red Sox’ uniform. It was all in the name of a fat contract, and it worked. Manny got his trade, put up his numbers, and took it all to the bank.
It sounds remarkably similar to what just happened with Manny. The only difference: The Dodgers gave him up for nothing.
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