« Baseball Today: Tuesday, April 17 (updated with YouTube clip at 10:52 a.m.)
Main
Projo SoxTalk with Art Martone »

More on Manny's slow start

Manny Ramirez is off to his worst start through 11 games since he's been with the Red Sox, but it's not for lack of hustling. The left-fielder, who is frequently criticized for an allegedly lackadaisical approach, has been consistently running out ground balls and has made a number of good plays in left field.

As for the numbers, this would be the third straight year that they are unimpressive out of the gate. Here is a breakdown of Manny's stats through 11 games since he came to Boston in 2001:

2007: 40 AB, 8 H, 4 R, 6 RBI, 0 HR, .200 BA, .304 OBP
2006: 35 AB, 8 H, 4 R, 2 RBI, 0 HR, .229 BA, .372 OBP
2005: 41 AB, 10 H, 7 R, 10 RBI, 2 HR, .244 BA, .354 OBP
2004: 46 AB, 19 H, 6 R, 10 RBI, 3 HR, .413 BA, .460 OBP
2003: 46 AB, 13 H, 8 R, 8 RBI, 1 HR, .283 BA, .327 OBP
2002: 36 AB, 9 H, 9 R, 7 RBI, 2 HR, .250 BA, .438 OBP
2001: 40 AB, 15 H, 4 R, 12 RBI, 1 HR, .375 BA, .468 OBP

Of course, Ramirez's less than stellar history starting seasons (2001 and 2004 excepted) doesn't stop some from suggesting that he's trying to play his way out of Boston. Again, I just don't see it.

The Honululu Advertiser's Boston Marathon story contained this lead: "In weather unfit for man, beast or Manny Ramirez, a hardy contingent of runners from sunny Hawai'i braved wind and rain to complete yesterday's 111th Boston Marathon." Hey, Manny played ... just a little later than planned.

Writing on the San Diego Padres Web site, Corey Brock discourages a fan's entusiasm about a possible Manny-for Scott Linebrink and Jose Cruz Jr. trade. Jose Cruz Jr.?

Ramirez has more home runs (25), RBI (77) and runs scored (61) at Toronto's Rogers Centre (formerly SkyDome) than at any park other than his past and current home stadium, Jacobs Field and Fenway Park. Toronto is the place where Manny ended his season-opening home run drought last year with a two-homer performance in the 17th game of the season.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 11:13 AM to Projo Mannybeingmanny | Permalink