Manny being Manny

by ak123 on May 16, 2008 4:10 PM CDT

Remember a couple of years ago when rumors would go on that Manny Ramirez would be available? I for one was one of those people who wanted him on the Cubs. Well thinking back, yes he would have been an offensive powerhouse but I don't think The Cubs fans would be able to put up with his antics. From taking time off to just "Manny being Manny", it would not have been a good relationship in Chicago.

With that being said, did anyone see the catch he made and then followed with a High Five to a fan followed then by throwing out the base-runner trying to get back to first? It was pretty hysterical. I'm not sure how many watch Baseball Tonight but they did a whole video on Manny antics.

I found the link on youtube here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Njf9-ZFf83E

I think this is worth a look for any baseball fan. It's quite funny.

After watching this video, this leads to my next question: Could a player like Manny survive in Chicago? Do we already have a player like him in the name Soriano or are these two men two entirely different breeds? Regardless check out that link, it's definitely worth 5 minutes of your time!

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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The video's off youtube

but is at the Red Sox front page.

by DGU on May 16, 2008 4:21 PM CDT 0 recs

The PlainTruth

A player who puts up big numbers will get away with a whole lot more “crazy antics” than a player who doesn’t. Also… the bigger the numbers, the more antics he’ll get away with. Look at Sosa as proof! If he wasn’t hitting 50-66 homers a year, he wouldn’t have gotten away with so much he did. If Manny was in Chicago, he’d get away with a lot of stuff… as long as he put up his big numbers. If he didn’t, well… the “Chicago Heat” would come down on him!

Chicago Heat = The Wrath of the Cubs Fans

by TheHawkRules on May 16, 2008 4:23 PM CDT 0 recs

I remember Terry Francona saying in an interview one time how at the beginning of every season, he could put manny down for 30 home runs and 100 RBIs, and how as long as that was the case, he could put up with any antics that could possibly come along with it. I think there isn’t a manager in the world that would’t.

by sitrick2 on May 16, 2008 4:52 PM CDT 0 recs

Soriano is nothing like Manny...

And I don’t think I’d be able to put up with him.

by wrigleyrocker12 on May 16, 2008 5:00 PM CDT 0 recs

You're right, Soriano is nothing like Manny

Manny will have a marginal HoF case at worst when his career is over. Soriano isn’t anywhere close to Manny in value to a baseball team.

We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look.
Ronald Reagan

by snley on May 16, 2008 5:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

I think he means personality wise...

''As long as he doesn't talk World Series, I'm happy.'' Lou Piniella on Ronny Cedeno.

by CubsBullsBears on May 16, 2008 5:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

I did

Personality and more like “what was he doing out there” attitude…

by ak123 on May 16, 2008 5:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

Marginal HOF case? Not even at worst.

He could retire today and Manny is a HOF.

And it’s very probable Manny ends up with 2,000 RBI, a club that currently boasts 2 members: Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth. If you believe Bonds did steroids (duh) and Manny didn’t (who knows, but at least there have never been whispers about him) Manny is the best hitter of his generation. Period.

If he doesn’t get inducted in the first ballot they should fire everybody.

by Luis on May 16, 2008 5:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

Manny's Far From Done

I don’t know if Manny would be a HOF, if he retired today. That’s not important, however. Manny figures to have about 3 more good years after 2008. He could very well get to that 2000 RBI number. He could also get to the 600 HR mark. I do see him being a first ballot HOF. He just needs to keep on keeping on.

by memphiscub on May 16, 2008 5:49 PM CDT up 0 recs

Manny is a lock for the HOF...

..and a first ballot entry at that, especially considering the era he is playing in.

and if just watching him for the last decade and a half isnt enough how about these numbers;

2257 hits
498hrs
Career 1001 OPS!
2004 WS MVP

BR has Joe DiMaggio and ARod listed for similar batters from a statistical standpoint

HOF Standards: Batting – 63.5 (21) (Average HOFer ≈ 50)
HOF Monitor: Batting – 186.5 (48) (Likely HOFer > 100)

Felix Pie must play everyday!

by JB 23 on May 16, 2008 6:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

I don't understand the marginal point either

I’m with you. He’s a lock. Someone like Bagwell is marginal. Manny and his numbers are definitely HOF. I think the whole “Manny being Manny” has taken away from his numbers. People forget he had some pretty good years with Cleveland even before Boston.

by rlpete on May 16, 2008 8:02 PM CDT up 0 recs

He should get in..

no doubt. How about Biggio? I imagine he gets in too…I can’t believe so many Cardinal fans think Edmonds has a chance for HOF. Not a prayer..

"I realize very well that I could regress to the mean."
-Brian Bannister on his BABIP

by Bump Bailey on May 16, 2008 8:40 PM CDT up 0 recs

Biggio's in.

He passed the magic # of 3000 hits. He’s also fairly high up on the doubles list, AB list, and he played well at three different defensive positions.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on May 16, 2008 8:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

I wrote "marginal HoF" at worst as a CYA.

I didn’t have the time to go dig up his numbers. Nice to see the support he gets even from a Cubs blog. Just hope the BBWAA doesn’t try to make an example of him in the future by denying him a spot in the Hall b/c he wasn’t a good teammate or some crap like that.

We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look.
Ronald Reagan

by snley on May 17, 2008 8:55 AM CDT up 0 recs

biggio

is a 1st ballot hall of hamer no questions asked. matter of fact he’s one of the best players to ever play the game.

It might beeeeee!! It could beeeeeee!! It issssss!! Homerun!! Holyyyyyyy Cow!!!

by cubsluver22 on May 17, 2008 9:04 AM CDT up 0 recs

Those stats are actually from his Baseball Reference page.

Here.

BP’s own system for evaluating players for HOF consideration is called JAWS, and they don’t seem to publish much of it. (It’s pretty sad how often I’ve seen BP writers using other people’s stats recently – it really speaks to how much of a rat’s nest their stat section is.)

There’s also a system developed over at Baseball Think Factory that uses Win Shares, I think. I don’t remember the specifics.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on May 16, 2008 8:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

that play

will be either #1 or #2 at the end of the season. the other of course is reed johnson’s. i could watch that manny play 100 times and not get tired of it.

It might beeeeee!! It could beeeeeee!! It issssss!! Homerun!! Holyyyyyyy Cow!!!

by cubsluver22 on May 16, 2008 6:20 PM CDT 0 recs

You have to give him credit...

Any dude that can high five a man in the stands and be able to throw out the guy at first from left is awesome. I love Manny always have and probably always will. I think alot of people make baseball to serious. It’s a game(I know some make a living off of it) it should be fun, Manny makes baseball fun.

by dus22 on May 16, 2008 7:08 PM CDT 0 recs

I agree

Watching him at times all you can do is smile. He seems in his own world but it’s fun to watch.

by rlpete on May 16, 2008 7:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

I thought it was awesome

I thought he was having fun. Even if he didn’t double up the guy on first, it was funny watching him high five the fan in the outfield.

by NOLA_Cub_Fan on May 16, 2008 9:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

Manny is special

Incredible play by an incredible player. Perhaps the most amazing combination of athleticism and showmanship I’ve ever seen.

He wouldn’t fit in every city (I’m looking at you, Cincinnati, San Diego, Kansas City) but I think Cub fans would have long since taken him to their collective bosom.

"Eighty-five percent of the world is working. The other fifteen percent come out here." - Lee Elia, 1983

"The only thing that bothers me is that I would never want to destroy the love and what the fans of Chicago are to the Chicago Cubs. I mean, God knows. If there's one pure thing in baseball, it is the fans of Chicago." - Lee Elia, 2008

by CaughtInTheVines on May 17, 2008 12:28 AM CDT 0 recs