I just heard on ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike In The Morning that while the Dodgers were blowing game four against Philly, Manny Ramirez was busy contributing to the effort by taking a warm shower. Manny had been removed early in the game and as is his custom when he’s pulled from games early, he headed straight for a nice wash. Ramirez, the Dodgers’ most important player, missed all the lowlights as the Phillies came back to beat LA.
Now, that’s a team player for you.
Here’s a guy getting paid on a game by game basis more in nine innings than many of us will make in a year and he can’t even be bothered to stick around to the bitter end. And this is in the playoffs.
I can see how during baseball’s endless regular season death march one missed end of game adds up to not too much, but with the season on the line you’d like to believe Manny would care a bit more…
Only Manny could make Rickey Henderson playing cards as the Mets bit the dust years ago in the playoffs look good.
Now, that’s a talent!
7 Comments
October 21, 2009 at 12:38 pm
regardless, both will be Hall of Famers
October 21, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Henderson already is a HOFer, but I’m not sure about Manny. Sure, he’s got the numbers, obviously. However, his chances dropped dramatically when he was suspended 50 games this year for a positive test of a banned substance…Just like McGwire, ARod, etc., he may never see Cooperstown. Fine by me, though. I can’t stand Manny.
October 22, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Thanks to both you guys for checking out this blog. Please come on back.
On Henderson – clearly a HOFer and a great character, but I wished someone would remember that he also didn’t always hustle and couldn’t be bothered to care if his team got eliminated from post seasons.
On Manny – good points. It’s interesting that he seemingly hasn’t been the same player since he got outed as a performance enhancement user…
October 23, 2009 at 4:44 pm
True about Henderson, though I’m not quite old enough to remember a whole lot about him in his prime. And when it comes to Manny, he really hasn’t been the intimidating hitter that he used to be, since that suspension. Maybe it’s the fact that he was on a PED, maybe it’s the fact that having to sit out 50 games then coming back is tough, maybe it’s the fact that he’s just plain getting old. He was just not able to get his bat around on the high 90’s stuff…Regardless, I’ve got no use for players like him. The “Me 1st, Team 2nd” kind of guys. Just makes me truly appreciate some guys.
October 24, 2009 at 2:17 pm
BroadStreet – Henderson was an amazing player. I just question his desire at times. I remember when he was with the Yankees and unhappy with his contract and suddenly his production really dipped. Coincidence or something more??
Agree with you on Manny, but as a Red Sox fan can’t help but feeling indebted to him for 2004 and 2007.
Thanks for taking time to read this post & comment thoughtfully. Please come on back!
TJ
October 27, 2009 at 12:43 am
Oh, I agree about his desire. A guy so full of himself like Henderson certainly would let his contract situation dictate how he played, sadly. It makes me appreciate a lot of my favorite players a lot more when I look at selfish guys like him, and unfortunately, they’re all across the sports world.
And as a Red Sox fan, I’m assuming you’re going to be pulling for us in the series then, right? Let’s go Phils! haha
October 27, 2009 at 3:50 am
Broadstreet – Thanks for commenting again. You can count on this Sox fan’s support. Go Phils! Go Pedro!
All the best,
TJ