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October 6, 2007
BOSTON –- Mike Scoiscia was given a choice that no one would envy.
He could pitch to David Ortiz with the game on the line, or he could pitch to Manny Ramirez.
In other words, he could choose the firing squad or the hangman’s noose – one or the other.
``You really pick your poison,’’ said Scioscia.
In the fifth inning last night, Scioscia chose correctly. In the ninth, he wasn’t so fortunate.
With the winning run on second and first base open, Scioscia went with the percentages and walked Ortiz.
That backfired in a big way when Ramirez drove a 1-and-0 fastball from Frankie Rodriguez over everything in left for a three-run belt, sending the Red Sox to a 6-3 win.
It’s a decision no manager wants to face. So Scioscia played the percentages --- in every sense.
``Both guys are terrific,’’ said Scioscia. ``I just think in that situation and the situation before (in the fifth), we’re going to take our chances with some matchups. It just made sense not to go after David and it didn’t work tonight.’’
Don’t blame Scioscia, though. For all of Ramirez’s achievements, it’s been Ortiz who has delivered the bigger hits, the dramatic walk-offs, the late-inning game-winners. Argue if you will that some of those have been the result of pitchers not wanting to put Ortiz on with Ramirez due, but there’s no denying history: Ortiz has been the more clutch performer.
That changed last night, with a violent swing of the bat. At the second Ramirez connected, it was clear the game – and perhaps the Angels’ season – was over. Ramirez stood at home plate and lifted his arms skyward in celebration, admiring his handiwork the way a victorious boxer might stand over his defeated foe.
``It feels great, man,’’ said Ramirez. ``It’s been a long time (since I’ve done) something special like that. But I haven’t been right all year round. But I guess when you don’t feel good and you still get hits, that’s when you know you are a bad man.’’
This being the first time that Ramirez has made himself available to the media all season, he was asked to clarify his statement. Other than the strained left oblique which sidelined him for most of September, why was it that he didn’t fell good?
``Just my timing all year round hasn’t been right,’’ he said with a shrug. ``But like I said, even I’m not right, I get hits.’’
The 2007 season was, statistically at least, Ramirez’s worst since coming to the Red Sox seven years ago. He failed to knock in 100 runs for the first time since 1997 and his 20 homers were his lowest output since 1994, his rookie year in Cleveland.
The three-plus weeks missed with the oblique contributed of course, but even before he was injured in the final week of August, his numbers were off. Returning for the final week of the regular season, he had some good at-bats, but wasn’t driving the ball the way he usually does.
In Game 1, he had an infield single in four plate appearances. Last night, he lined out – hard – to center in the first, then struck out and worked two walks.
Then came the fateful ninth.
``In that moment,’’ he said, ``I’m just trying to see the ball and trust myself. I ain’t trying to do too much. I’ve got a lot of confidence in myself. (Rodriguez) is one of the greatest closers in the game and I’m one of the best hitters in the game. He missed his spot and I got good timing on the ball and that’s it.’’
Ramirez made it sound so simple. It’s not, of course. It takes extraordinary skill, to say nothing of hard work.
``He’s a guy a lot of people criticize (because they say) he doesn’t play hard,’’ said teammate Alex Cora. ``That guy works and that’s why he’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer He’s Manny Ramirez and he can do a lot of things on the field.’’
He had seen Ortiz do it so many times. He had been the welcoming committee, moving from the on-deck circle, to greet his friend rounding the bases.
But last night, when Mike Scioscia made the same painful decision anyone else would have, Ramirez decided that this time, it was his time.
``It feels good, man,’’ said Ramirez. ``One of the best feelings ever.’’
For the Red Sox. And this time, not for David Ortiz, but for Manny Ramirez.
Posted by Sean McAdam 
at 1:52 AM | Permalink
