Manny Ramirez: A talented but tainted player retires – Part 2
As Manny Ramirez’s abrupt retirement becomes news, many have expressed their grief over the matter. It never is easy for a legend to go down so fast, so soon.
Retiring is actually something that is going to save Manny from being publically humiliated by the Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. In a statement that was issued, it was said, "Ramirez has informed MLB that he is retiring
as an active player. If Ramirez seeks reinstatement in the future, the process under the Drug Program will be completed."
This news definitely broke hearts of the fans who loved him and the teams and team players who respected him. This statement by the Boston Red Sox slugger, David Ortiz, almost sums up everyone emotions about Manny’s retirement as he said, "It's sad, man,
to see a player with that much talent and with an unbelievable career get him out of the game, he got his issues like a lot of people know, but, as a player, I think he did what he was supposed to."
It was openly predicted that he would be on his way to becoming a Hall of Famer given his 555 home runs. But now all of those plans have come under question given his early retirement. His on base slugging percentage was of 154. It was among one of the highest
for right handed batters who have played at least 1000 games in the outfield. He trailed the likes of legends like Hank Aaron, Joe DiMaggio and Willie Mays.
Johnny Damon who is a former Tampa Bay Rays and Boston team-mate felt that it was very unfortunate knowing that Ramirez would not be seen on a baseball field ever again. He said the Manny was a great team-mate and an even greater player. Damon and Ramirez
played together for the Boston Red Sox in 2004; they were part of the team that won the World Series after almost a century long drought. Ramirez was named the Most Valuable Player at the time.
As his career comes to a stop, his statistics still speak for themselves. He was a .312 hitter, stood 14th on the career home-run list and had 13 seasons where he had a 100 or more RBIs.
Manager for the Texas Ranger, Ron Washington said, "Until the past couple of years, I thought he was on his way to the Hall of Fame. There weren't many guys who had as big an effect on a game as he had."
As he walks away from baseball for good, let’s remember Ramirez for what he was. Unarguably one of the most talented, but tainted players in baseball.
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