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February 25, 2008
Journal photo / Brita Meng Outzen
Manny Ramirez greets fans as he heads out to the practice field today in Fort Myers.
I attempted to engage Manny Ramirez in some discussion about Bartolo Colon, with whom he is very friendly.
I didn't get very far.
``I didn't even know we had signed him,'' said Ramirez as he dressed this morning.
When I asked if he thought Colon could help the Sox, given the injuries he's battled the last two seasons, Ramirez gave me a strange look.
``I'm not a pitching coach,'' said Ramirez.
And that was that.
On the subject of pitching coaches -- sort of -- Bruce Hurst has accepted a formal par-ttime position with the organization and will serve as a Special Instructor for Player Development.
Hurst has been in camp for the last two weeks, but in an informal, undefined role. He has agreed to travel once or twice a month to the Sox' minor league affiliates and continue as a spring training instructor.
``I think this is THE elite organization in baseball,'' said Hurst, who pitched for the Sox between 1980-1988. ``It's the epitome of this place can be.''
Hurst said he will stress mechanics, command and mental toughness when he works with the young pitchers in the organization.
Posted by Sean McAdam 
at 9:59 AM to Projo Mannybeingmanny
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Jeremy | February 25, 2008 11:10 AM link
I love all these accolades being thrown at the Sox as THE elite organization in baseball. Winning with a combination of youth and veteran talent. You'd think they invented the philosophy! Reminds me a bit of a team from New York in 1996. Put together four WS Rings in five years, then you can talk about ELITE.