See Manny run...and slide

Manny Ramirez is happy with the Dodgers ... at least, so far.
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Greetings, FanNation. Please allow me to introduce myself. I’m the new weekend blogger, and let me be the first to say the pleasure is mine.

Some brief background about me. I recently left the Hartford Courant after a lengthy stint there that included seven years as the Red Sox beat writer, from 2000 to 2006. I also covered the New England Patriots and UConn women’s hoops, both for one season. My last day at the Courant was July 31, the day the Red Sox traded Manny Ramirez. I was hired earlier this week by SI.com, the same week Manny is gracing the cover of SI.

Upon pulling the magazine from my mailbox and seeing that marvelous picture of Manny sliding home feet first, I immediately thought about the night in Seattle in 2002 when he broke his finger on the catcher’s shin guard with a headfirst slide. I don’t remember him ever going headfirst to the plate and I’m guessing that was the last time he ever tried to score from first on a double to LEFT field.

After reading Tom Verducci’s story, another thought popped into my mind. I recalled Johnny Damon once telling me, “A happy Manny is a productive Manny.” I’m predicting Manny will be happy in Los Angeles because the environment is more laid back and Dodger fans aren’t obsessed with the players the way Red Sox fans are, which bothered Manny, who disliked the fame that came with the millions he made in Boston. Of course, Manny’s career in L.A. is contingent on the Dodgers meeting his salary demands. The Mets probably would, considering Omar Minaya’s obsession with Manny, not to mention he would make a perfect centerpiece in Citi Field.

I don’t care that Manny is 36. The man can still mash. His .332 overall batting average was his highest since 2002 and his .430 slugging percentage was nearly 20 points higher than his career.

Comments (9) Add A Comment

October 11, 2008 04:27 PM ET

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Welcome, I have no comment for Manny tho..Dodgers now...always next year.

Does to many drugs

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Comment #2 has been removed

October 11, 2008 05:50 PM ET

Hey!!! Yuck fou!!! Go Dodgers

Doughboy24

Total Comments (2)

October 11, 2008 06:11 PM ET

Typical of Red Sox fans. If they can't think of anything useful to say, they resort to profanity

Cardsfan99

Saint Louis , MO

Comment #5 has been removed

October 11, 2008 06:18 PM ET

Sorry, too much celebration after the Sox owned the Bays last night....I meant "At least the Red Sox had the balls to off-load Manny, who was probably their best player"

Red Sox County

Kaysville , UT

Total Comments (5)

October 11, 2008 07:53 PM ET

MannyBoras wants 4/100 million and they're not going to get it. Any GM with a clue (including Minaya and Cashman) know this was Manny going full tilt for a huge payday and if he got it he'll go back to be Manny being Manny. All the free agents looking for big contracts this winter are going to be sadly dissapointed at the offers they get. Not a single team will increase it's payroll next year and most will cut as much as they can. Party time is over Scotso!

Johnny B.Goode

Blue Point, NY

Total Comments (2319)

October 11, 2008 09:56 PM ET

i think many is a very very very good player a super star who will make any team better

issa

Bronx , NY

Total Comments (848)

October 12, 2008 01:25 AM ET

.430 Slugging Percentage? Perhaps you meant .430 On Base Percentage? His slugging percentage for the year was .601. It is worth noting that in Los Angeles, his OPS+ was 213, better by far than any full season. That also suggests that it won't last. For the year, his OPS+ of 164 is very comparable to the 165 he put up just two years ago.