Manuel "Manny" Aristides Ramírez Onelcida

Manuel "Manny" Aristides Ramírez Onelcida (born May 30, 1972, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is a retired^[1][2] Dominican-American professional baseball outfielder. A nine-time Silver Slugger, and one of 25 players to have hit over 500 career home runs, he was recognized for his strong offensive abilities. Ramirez's 21 career grand slams are the second-most all-time, behind Lou Gehrig's 23. His 28 career post-season home runs are the most by any player in major league baseball (MLB) history. Ramirez was a fixture in the All-Star Game, with 12 appearances over the span of his career.

Ramirez was allegedly among a group of 104 major league players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs during 2003.^[3] In 2009, Ramirez was suspended 50 games for violating Major League Baseball's Performance Enhancing Drug policy by 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.^[4]

Ramirez retired from baseball on April 8, 2011, rather than participate in MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.^[5]

High school

Growing up in Washington Heights, New York City, New York, Ramirez attended George Washington High School, leaving at the age of 19 years old without graduating.^[7] 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, after 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 LeagueBaseball 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. MVP and was selected by

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.^[8]

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.^[9] 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 (2001–2008)

2001–03

Manny Ramirez asks the first base umpire if he went around on a swing.

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.^[10] 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,^[11] just short of Ted Williams' record of 502 feet.^[12]

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 infielderEnrique Wilson when Ramirez was supposedly too ill to play in the Yankees series, Boston managerGrady 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

Ramirez at Red Sox victory parade.

In 2004, Ramirez led the American League in home runs (43), slugging percentage (.613) and OPSon base percentage (.397), eighth in walks (82), tenth in runs (108), and posted a .308 batting average. (1.009); he finished third in RBI (130), sixth in

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.^[13]

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, 2007, Ramirez was the first of four Red Sox batters to homer in consecutive at bats in a game against the New York Yankees, tying a league record. All of the home runs were against Chase Wright.^[14] On April 29, Ramirez became the fifth player to hit 50 career home runs against the 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 Yankees series, but he did return to the lineup for the final homestand of the season. In 2007, he had the highest fielding percentage (.990) among left fielders in the American League,^[15] tied for second in the Major Leagues; he was ranked 6th-highest in range factor of all AL left fielders, 1.72,^[16] 16th in both leagues, but had the lowest zone rating of Major League left fielders with 100+ games (.713).^[17][18] and tied for 5th overall in the Majors in assists from left field.^[18] He made two errors during the 2007 season in left field,

In the post-season, 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. The home run tied him with Bernie Williams for first place all-time in post-season home runs.^[19] On October 13, Ramirez hit his 23rd post-season 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 post-season, Ramirez batted .348 with 4 home runs and 16 RBIs.

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 the exclusive home run club.

A heated altercation between Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis took place on June 5, during a game at Fenway against the Tampa Bay Rays. It was prompted either, as the Boston Globe speculated, by Youkilis complaining about Ramirez having been slow in joining his teammates in a bench-clearing brawl two innings earlier (lagging behind even the team's pitchers, who ran in from the bullpen), or by Ramirez objecting to what he believed was excessive complaining by Youkilis about the strike zone, as well as the first baseman's penchant for sometimes throwing his helmet in frustration after making an out.^[20][21] Before the fifth inning, Ramirez was caught on NESN cameras taking a swing at Youkilis.^[22] Ramirez and Youkilis yelled at each other, 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.^[23][22]

Later in the season, during a series with the Houston Astros, Ramirez had a physical altercation with elderly Red Sox traveling secretary Jack McCormick. The two were arguing over the traveling secretary' inability to fill Ramirez's large game-day request for 16 tickets to the game in Houston. Ramirez pushed the 64-year-old McCormick to the ground,^[24][20] after telling him "Just do your job." The two were quickly separated, and Ramirez later apologized.^[25][26] 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 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 the series Ramirez was directed to an area hospital for MRIs on both his knees; the results showed no damage.^[27] When back in action, Ramirez frequently failed to run out ground balls. Assuming that this was due to his displeasure about his contract situation, many Red Sox fans and reporters, including Dan ShaughnessyBoston Globe, called for Ramirez to be traded. of the

Los Angeles Dodgers (2008–10)

A "Mannywood" banner in Downtown Los Angeles.

On July 31, 2008, Manny was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-way deal. The Boston Red Sox acquired outfielder Jason Bay and minor league infielder Josh Wilson,^[28] 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.^[29]

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.^[30]

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.^[31]

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.^[32]

2009

On May 7, 2009, Ramirez was suspended 50 games for violating Major League Baseball's Performance Enhancing Drug policy.^[33] 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.^[33] 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 Jason Giambi and others used as clients of BALCO.^[34]

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.^[35] To get back into shape he was allowed a short rehab stint in the minor leagues.^[36] Ramirez played two games with the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes, where his appearance led to record crowds for the Isotopes.^[37] He played several games with the Single-A Inland Empire 66ers, homering in his first at-bat with the 66ers.^[38] Ramirez returned from his suspension and reclaimed his starting role with the Dodgers on July 3 against the San Diego Padres.^[39]

On July 21, Ramirez hit his 537th career home run, passing Mickey Mantle for 15th place on the all-time home run list.^[40]

On July 30, The New York Times reported that Ramirez tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs during Major League Baseball's 2003 survey testing.^[3] Ramirez, a member of the Boston Red Sox at the time, was among 104 major league players to test positive.^[3]

2010

On April 10, 2010, Ramirez recorded his 2,500th career base hit with an infield single against the Florida Marlins.^[41] 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.^[42] He hit his 549th to pass Schmidt on May 28 against the Colorado Rockies.^[43] 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.^[44] When he returned from the third trip on August 21, he apparently had lost his starting job to Scott Podsednik.^[45] 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.^[46]

Chicago White Sox (2010)

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.^[47] He hit .261 with only 1 home run in his 24 games with the White Sox and then became a free agent at the conclusion of the season.

Tampa Bay Rays (2011)

On January 21, 2011, Ramirez agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, while the Rays also signed his former Boston Red Sox teammate Johnny Damon in a package deal suggested by agent Scott Boras.^[48][49][50]

Ramirez cut short his tenure with Tampa Bay and in major league baseball on April 8, 2011, after just 6 games, when he abruptly retired. Major League Baseball issued a statement that Ramirez had been informed of an issue under the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment program, and chose to retire rather than continue with the process.^[1][6]

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.^[51]

In 2004, Ramirez missed a Red Sox game to become an American citizen.^[52] 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 wife Juliana. The family lives in Weston, Florida.

Personality

Manny Ramirez at Dodger Stadium when the Dodgers clinched the NL West, September 25, 2008.

Many stories depicted Ramirez as a carefree individual, whose concentration was 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 then-current teammate Chad Ogea).^[53]

Ramirez was also described as a prima donna^[54] and periodically displayed a lack of enthusiasm and/or concentration, with mental lapses in both the outfield and running the bases. These incidents are typically described as "Manny Moments" or "Manny Being Manny." The first known documented usage^[55] of the phrase "Manny Being Manny" is attributed to then-Indians manager Mike Hargrove, quoted in a 1995 Newsday article.^[56]

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.^[57] It is unclear whether the appearance was scheduled before or after the family situation. Ramirez chose not to attend the auction.^[58] A remodeled car that Ramirez had put up for bidding at the auction did not generate a high enough bid to be sold.^[59]
• 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."^[60]
• 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)^[61]
  • Led AL in home runs (2004, 43)^[61]
  • Led AL in RBI (1999, 165)^[61]
  • 3-time led AL in slugging percentage (1999–2000, 2004)^[61]
  • 3-time led AL in OPS (1999–2000, 2004)^[61]
  • 3-time led AL in on base percentage (2002–03, 2006)^[61]
  • Twice led AL in intentional walks (2001, 2003)^[61]
• League Top-Ten
  • 8-time Top 10 AL in total bases (1996–99, 2001, 2003–05)^[61]
  • 8-time Top 10 AL MVP (1998–2005)^[61]
  • 9-time Top 10 AL in home runs (1998–2006)^[61]
  • 8-time Top 10 AL in RBIs (1995, 1998, 1999–2001, 2004–05)^[61]
  • 5-time Top 10 AL hitters (1997, 1999–2000, 2003, 2006)
  • 6-time Top 10 AL in times on base (1997, 1999, 2003–05)^[61]
• Honors
  • 12-time All-Star (1995, 1998–2008)^[61]
  • World Series MVP Award (2004)^[62]
  • 2-time Hank Aaron Award (1999, 2004)^[61]
  • 9-time Silver Slugger Award (1995, 1999–2006) ^[61]
  • Member of Major League Baseball's Latino Legends Team ^[63]
• Postseason
  • 2-Time World Series Champion (Boston, 2004, 2007)
  • Tied with Pete Rose for longest LCS hitting streak (15) ^[64]
• Other
  • 9 straight seasons of at least 30 HRs and 100 RBIs. (1998–2006, tied for 3rd-longest in history)
  • 27-game hitting streak in 2006^[65]
  • Hit 500th home run on May 31, 2008, vs. Baltimore Orioles off of Chad Bradford.^[66]
• Career rankings on the All-Time lists (as of the end of the 2009 season)
  • 546 home runs – 15th
  • 21 grand slams – 2nd (to Lou Gehrig)
  • 1788 RBIs – 23rd
  • .313 batting average – 78th (tie)
  • .410 on base percentage – 36th
  • .591 slugging average – 8th
  • 1.001 OPS – 10th
  • 1,025 extra base hits – 24th (tie)
  • 212 intentional walks – 10th^[67]
  • 28 postseason home runs – 1st
  • 74 postseason RBIs – 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.^[68]