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Today's Manny file: Lopez had his eye on Ramirez

Gregg Bell's AP game story from yesterday noted that Seattle's Jose Lopez had his eye on Manny Ramirez's positioning, close to the line in left, creating a large gap in left center, before he launched his game winning hit into that gap. Ramirez's unorthodox attempt to catch the ball came up empty, as did all five of his plate appearances yesterday. Ramirez is now just 1 for 16 over his last five games, and he's hitting .253 with runners in scoring position.

SI.com's Tom Verducci weighs in on the how-bad-a-fielder-is-Manny debate, and here's his answer: pretty bad. But in the same mailbag column, Verducci puts Manny right behind Jimmie Foxx, Hank Greenberg and Rogers Hornsby on the list of best right-handed hitters of all time.

Frank Thomas belted his 500th home run today -- Manny might now end up being the fourth player to reach that hallowed milestone this season. Alex Rodriguez (492 homers), who earlier this season was tied with Ramirez on the all-time list, seems sure to be next, and then it will be either Ramirez or Jim Thome. Right now Ramirez is stuck at 481, while Thome has 482. Thomas' home run brings the all-time 500 home run club to 21 members.

All-Star voting closes at midnight, so we'll know whether Ramirez can get back on top in the running for a starting outfield spot.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 3:24 PM to Projo Mannybeingmanny | Permalink