Not long ago, I used this space to back Red Sox infielder Kevin Youkilis, a fiery player who wears his emotions on his sleeve. And while I appreciate his oft over-the-top antics on the field, I took a little flack from apparent baseball purists, who felt that kind of behavior goes against the game.
Well, those same people who feel there’s no place for “rah-rah” players in baseball must really love Manny Ramirez. The Dodgers outfielder and all-around slacker wasn’t there to root on his teammates during Monday night’s walk-off loss to the Phillies in the NL championship series — he was in the shower already after being replaced for defensive purposes.
This bit of team anarchy has caused quite a stir among columnists, but how could anybody be surprised by this? I mean, this is just Manny being Manny, right? Fans, especially in this part of the country, should know this routine by now. Manny does what he wants, when he wants, and the outcome of any game has little bearing on his agenda.
The Dodgers will likely be bounced from the playoffs tonight, and the person who will be the least pained is Manny. He’s already got his ring (two, in fact), and he’s not willing to go above and beyond to help some of his younger teammates get theirs.
That’s the difference between Manny and Youkilis, who had a physical confrontation in the dugout during the 2008 season — one cares only for the team, and one cares only for himself.
Sure, Youk might go over the top at times, but who would you choose to have on your team in the playoffs?
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3 comments:
Manny....he's a better PLAYER...I don't care who the better CHEERLEADER is....Bottomline, this is baseball not Football. Once Manny was taken out of the game he couldn't come back in. So who cares if he was taking a shower, getting a bite to eat or watching reruns of Gilligan's Island?....
Well, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but you're flat out nuts if you think Manny is a better player than Youkilis right now.
The numbers make my argument for me. And that's before we get into defense.
I'm far from a Manny apologist, and there's not a chance in hell I'd take him over Kevin Youkilis at this point in their respective careers. But I can't hate on Manny too much for showering up before the end of that NLCS game.
Baseball isn't exactly a rah-rah, sit-around-and-cheer-for-your-teammates kind of sport. How often do you see a pitcher leave the game and head right to the clubhouse, never to return? All the time.
This is what baseball players do. At least most of them. So, by all means, rip Manny for being an underachieving, overpaid, self-centered slacker. But this "story" was blown way out of proportion.
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