Boston Red Sox: Four “turkeys” for Thanksgiving
By Rick McNair
Jul 8, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs hitting coach Manny Ramirez prior to the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Manny being Manny was the locally generated justification for Manny Ramirez simply being an ass for want of better terminology. The beauty of Manny’s behaviors were that many were hilarious and that somewhat offset the ones that were not. The disappearing act in the Green Monster or clubhouse antics that I will avoid.
In Cleveland, one of the big issues in the payroll department was they had to get after Manny to cash his checks. Amazing! I get a one dollar rebate check and I scamper to the bank. But that does give some insight into an individual who is totally ambivalent to his surroundings.
Possibly the bottom to me was one that took place in a game against the Yankees where the petulant Manny – smarting over some type of injustice – simply stood at the plate and took three pitches right down Broadway – for an out. Manny also had a laundry list of similar non-hustle actions such as doing a sloth trot on a ground ball.
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Manny was also called out by teammate Kevin Youkilis during a game that we got to enjoy on TV. For me, it was far more explosive than Reggie Jackson and Billy Martin dust-up back in the 1970s.
Certain actions are inexcusable and cannot be defended and that is the situation with Traveling Secretary Jack McCormick. Manny wished more tickets for a game and the situation escalated to where Manny got physical with the 64-year-ol McCormick. Too bad it was not Will McDonough, who had a confrontation with Patriots Ray Clayborn – Will stuffed him in a locker.
Those are some that I have in my memory banks, but there are certainly many or is it “Manny” more?