* Many stories portray Ramírez as a carefree, naive individual whose concentration is directed solely on playing baseball. For example, one story (reminiscent of
Yogi Berra) took place in his early years with the
Cleveland Indians in June
1994. As teammates were gathered in the Indians clubhouse watching news of the
O.J. Simpson Bronco chase, Ramirez asked what was going on. A player responded that "they are chasing O.J.", to which Ramirez responded in disbelief, "What did Chad do?" (in reference to their current teammate
Chad Ogea, who was likely in the same clubhouse just several feet away).
*During the
2004 World Series parade, Manny was on a
duck boat with a sign saying "(
New York Yankees shortstop Derek)
Jeter is playing
golf today, this is better!" This sign had been handed to him by a fan on the parade route.
*In an era when many players have abandoned knickers in favor of ankle-length close-cut trousers, Ramirez's uniform pants take this trend a step further; they are somewhat baggy and nearly cup under the heels of his shoes.
Though his hitting ability is undeniable, Ramírez has periodically displayed a lack of enthusiasm and/or concentration on many occasions, with numerous mental lapses in both the outfield or running the bases. These incidents are described as just "Manny Being Manny." The phrase has entered the lexicon of Boston sports fans. In fact, the phrase has been acknowledged and given most of its initial promotion by Ramírez himself. It was coined on
July 18, 2005, when Ramírez disappeared into the "
Green Monster" during a visit to the mound by pitching coach
Dave Wallace with two outs in the top of the 6th inning. When pitcher
Wade Miller was ready to resume pitching, Ramirez was nowhere to be found. It is suggested he went to use the bathroom, but there are no toilet facilities inside the scoreboard area. Manny has returned to the wall several times since during pitching changes, but has always returned on time. Ramirez has also been seen playing left field at Fenway with a water bottle in his back pocket and while wearing MP3-playing
sunglasses.
Despite his reputation for lackadaisical conduct, Ramirez is known by his teammates and coaches as a serious athlete who shows up early at the ballpark, keeps himself in good physical shape, and spends extra time in the batting cages working on his swing.
;Other incidents of "Manny Being Manny"
*
The Original Incident April 4, 1994 - In his first game of his rookie season, Manny hit a two run double in the eighth to tie the game. After the double the announcers commented on how he is a tremendous young hitter, but his concentration has been questioned. Manny was then picked off at second base by the catcher. Ramirez was pinch run for in the 10th inning after drawing a walk.
*
December 10, 2001 - Ramírez, in his first season with Boston, claims he is uncomfortable, prompting the new ownership group to create a separate interview room, to ease Manny's transition with the
Red Sox.
*
May 18, 2002 - Loses diamond earring sliding into third base during a rehab start with the
Pawtucket Red Sox. After the game, 13 PawSox players and the
Syracuse grounds crew combed the third base area and found the stud, but not the diamond that was worth a reported $15,000.
*
September 7, 2002 - requests the song
Good Times (I Get High) by
Styles P for his
plate appearances. The unedited song's obscene lyrics are played over the Fenway Park public address system.
*
August 29, 2003 - Manny expresses in an
ESPN interview that he would like to play for the
New York Yankees.
*
August 30, 2003 - Manny misses several games with
pharyngitis amid media speculation that he is well enough to play. When the
New York Yankees come to town to play, Manny is still too sick to play, but is seen at the downstairs bar of his hotel with Yankees player and close friend
Enrique Wilson.
*
September 1 2003 - Manny refuses to pinch hit in a game against
Philadelphia, angering manager
Grady Little, who benches him the next game.
*
July 21, 2004 - From his spot in left-center field, Manny inexplicably makes a diving play to cut off a relay throw from center fielder
Johnny Damon, allowing
David Newhan of the Orioles to score on an inside-the-park home run.
*
July 31, 2005 - After heavy speculation that he would force a trade, Manny enters the game versus the
Minnesota Twins as a
pinch-hitter in the bottom of the 8th inning, to a standing ovation 54 minutes after the 4:00 trading deadline had passed (he had been booed his two previous games). Ramírez proceeds to chop an RBI single up the middle off
Juan Rincon that would prove to be the game-winning hit. After the game, Ramirez is quoted as saying, "Forget about the trade, man. This is the place I want to be, man. It's great, man. They love me here, man. This is the place to be. 'Manny being Manny,' he's great, man... we've been through a lot, this is the place for me, I'm just happy to be here... I'm back!"
*
August 24, 2005 - Ramírez, up with one out and the bases loaded, hits a ground ball but doesn't run down the first base line, resulting in an inning-ending double play. The
Kansas City Royals rally to tie the game, and eventually win in extra innings.
*
October 17, 2007 - With the Red Sox trailing Cleveland 3-1 in the ALCS, Ramirez told reporters that if the Red Sox were eliminated, it wouldn't be "the end of the world." Though Ramirez faced criticism in the media for his statement, his team would go on to win their next 7 games to win the ALCS and World Series.
*
October 18, 2007 - In game five of the ALCS at Jacobs Field, Ramírez hit a fly ball to deep center field that bounced off the top of the outfield wall and back into play. Ramírez, assuming he had hit a home run, casually strolled to first base and was forced to settle for a single instead of an easy double after it was ruled that the ball had never left the field.
*
October 27, 2007 - In game three of the World Series, Ramírez was thrown out during a controversial play at home plate. Manny often flips his helmet off while he is running the bases, to help pick up speed. In this instance, replays show that Manny's helmet bounced off of his heel, causing him to stutter-step as he rounded third base.
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