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October 2, 2005
Manny Ramirez has been on another tear at the plate.
His two homers Saturday and his three-run shot Sunday gave him 9 homers and 19 RBI in the last 12 games. Going back even further, Ramirez had bashed 12 homers and driven in 27 runs in 22 games.
Ramirez's torrid season-ending stretch is remarkably similar to a streak he had from mid-June to early July. Back then, the Red Sox left fielder clubbed 8 homers and knocked in 22 runs in a 12-game span from June 12-26, and his totals were 11 homers and 33 RBI in 20 games from June 12-July 5.
His latest surge has come on the heels of a cold snap. Ramirez, who had 44 homers heading into Sunday's game, went 73 at-bats between homers number 33 (Aug. 21 in Anaheim) and number 34 (Sept. 10 in Yankee Stadium).
There have been a couple of technical adjustments that have made the difference, said batting coach Ron ``Papa Jack'' Jackson.
``Manny hasn't taken batting practice for maybe three months. We've been working in the cage, doing soft toss. I think that's helped him stay strong down the stretch,'' said Jackson.
``He's gotten a little closer to the plate and finally got his hands up a little higher. I think that's helped him. He's locked in. And when he's locked in, he can carry you,'' said Jackson.
``That's a pretty good stretch,'' said Francona of Ramirez's recent explosion. ``(But) I don't quantify it. It just doesn't matter. It's not revelevant to what we're trying to do, except that I hope he hits two (homers) today.
``But when Manny gets hot, he doesn't hit singles,'' added Francona. ``That's very encouraging for the ballclub.''
Ramirez authored more encouraging news with his blast into the center-field seats Sunday, expanding Boston's lead to 6-0 in the fourth as the Red Sox attempted to nail down their wild-card spot.
It was Ramirez's 45th homer of the season, tying his career high, established for Cleveland in 1998. It also is the fourth-highest home run total in Red Sox history.
Posted by 
at 12:14 PM | Permalink
Al J | October 4, 2005 9:07 AM link
In your paen to the joint RBI accomplishments of Papi & Manny---our dynamic duo, you point out that they are the Red Sox's second best to Ted Williams & "Gene" Stephens.
WRONG--it was #9 and Vern Stephens, the second best slugger on those hard-hitting 50s era Red Sox teams. Gene Stevens was a second stringer w/very little talent.
It pains me that Vern Stephens is now a largely forgotten footnote in Red Sox history, when his prowess with the bat far outstripped that of his much beloved but too-often lionized teammates--Pesky, Doerr & Dom DiMaggio.
I must be the sole surviving nenber of the Vern Stephens fan club.