Boston Red Sox legend Manny Ramírez is looking for work as an MLB hitting coach. MLB insider Jon Heyman of The New York Post reported on this development in recent days.
In terms of qualifications, Ramírez doesn’t have a wealth of coaching experience, but what he does have are Hall of Fame-worthy hitting numbers: 555 home runs, a .312 batting average, and a .996 OPS across 19 MLB seasons. It’s no surprise that fans across the league are already pushing their favorite team to hire Ramírez.
Manny’s fit with the Red Sox makes sense for multiple reasons. First of all, he won two World Series championships with Boston and is a franchise icon.
Conveniently, the Red Sox appear to have a current coaching vacancy that might align with what Ramírez is looking for.
Manny Ramirez is getting word out to all 30 teams he’d love to serve as an MLB hitting coach. “He wants to bring his greatness to teach the young guys,” his agent Hector Zepeda said. Credentials: 555 HRs, .312 BA, .996 OPS
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 16, 2025
Boston’s director of hitting development, Jason Ochart, posted an assistant hitting coach job on X on October 17 indicating that the Red Sox are hiring an assistant hitting coach, or perhaps even multiple hitting coaches.
It seems beyond serendipitous that the Red Sox would be searching for a hitting coach at the exact moment that Ramírez wants to find employment as one, so what’s stopping Boston from hiring Manny?
Certain franchises — the Red Sox included — might be hesitant to hire Ramírez in light of his PED use towards the end of his playing career, a stain on his legacy that has severely damaged his Hall of Fame chances. Ramírez tested positive for PEDs in 2009 while with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and again in 2011 with the Tampa Bay Rays. Rather than face a 150-game suspension on the second occasion, Ramírez retired from MLB.
Red Sox’s assistant hitting coach vacancy might be destined for Manny Ramírez
This controversial era of Manny’s career has prevented many Hall of Fame voters from considering him viable, despite his 12 All-Star appearances, nine Silver Slugger trophies, two rings, and aforementioned stats.
Similarly, franchises might feel that it’s a bad look to hire a hitting coach who was caught cheating the game, although it’s unclear if the Red Sox feel this way.
Boston still owes Ramírez one more $2 million deferral payment, which is scheduled to hit Manny’s bank account in 2026.
In the meantime, will the Red Sox consider bringing Ramírez aboard as a hitting coach? That remains to be seen, but it can’t hurt Manny to apply for the position.