The Abrupt End of 'Manny Being Manny'

As all of you Eau Claire folk enjoy your beautiful 65 degree weather today, some big baseball news has come about. Tampa Bay Rays' DH Manny Ramirez has officially left the game after 19 seasons in Major League Baseball after again testing positive for performance enhancing drugs.

The good ol' days.

Manny is the first person ever to test positive twice for PEDs and rather than face the 100 game suspension for two offenses, he decided to retire. He never really was the same player after coming back from that first suspension.

He was somewhat known for his quirky antics, like cutting off a throw from Johnny Damon in the middle of left field out of nowhere or taking a piss in the Green Monster during the middle of an inning, or for his care-free attitude. But mainly, the 12 time All-Star was known as one of the most feared hitters in the MLB. He was a lifetime .312 hitter and hit 555 homers in his career, mostly with the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox.

Will that be enough for Manny to get into the Hall? Some would argue that it is but I think with him testing positive twice, it will be a long shot. Mark McGwire won't get in. Roger Clemens won't get in. Why would Manny?

It's a shame that such a great career has fizzled out the way it has and especially with it ending this way. We're gonna miss you Manny.

Half Assed Preview: AL East

Baseball season is finally here. Ever since the Zach Greinke trade, I have not been more excited for the baseball season to start.  I am ready to begin my Half-Assed Previews making predictions that you might agree with, and some you might disagree with. Simple format if you are new here; Player I Love, Player I Hate, and a Prediction for wins.  

AL East:

1.) Boston Red Sox: Player I Love: Daniel Bard (RP)- I think by the month of June, Bard will be a lights out closer for the BoSox.  He already has established himself as a solid set-up guy, and I believe will take the next step this season. Player I Hate: Carl Crawford (LF)- I am curious how both Red Sox additions will handle the pressure of a big city atmosphere. I think Crawford will struggle a bit during the season, and I don't see him living up to his contract this season.  Prediction: 90 wins, the Red Sox have the strongest pitching staff in the AL and they have a great offense to go along with it.  

2.) New York Yankees: Player I Like: Alex Rodriguez (3B)- I have a feeling that A-Rod is going to have a huge year.  A couple of reasons: he is crushing the ball in Spring Training, according to reports, he is in the best shape of his life, and is having consistent happy time with Cameron Diaz.  ARod will come close to taking the MVP this season.  Player I Hate: Rafael Soriano (RP)- I always feel you should never pay a high price for relief pitchers, and I could see Soriano disappointing the Bronx Zoo this summer. Who knows how Soriano handles the added pressure plus he is somewhat injury-prone. Prediction: 86 wins, I don't see the Yankees getting to the playoffs this year. They do not have the starting pitching to get to the playoffs, but that probably will change when they get some All-Star in July. 

3.) Tampa Bay Rays: Player I Like: Manny Ramirez (LF)- When I saw he signed with the Rays, I felt Manny could have a great year. ManRam looks in shape for the first time in years plus Joe Maddon is the perfect manager to understand his personality. Player I Hate: Kyle Farnsworth (RP)- He will be the Rays' closer for the month of April before it goes to hell. Sure this guy can throw smoke, but he is not the closer type. Prediction: 84 wins, the Rays will be in the race for the AL East, but I am just not sure their young pitching staff can bring it night in and out. 

4.) Toronto Blue Jays: Player I Like: Travis Snider (OF)- Last year, he was on his way to a huge season but it got slowed down by a wrist injury. He is a 23 year old left hander with huge power, I like Snider to make an impact for the Jays.  Player I Hate: Brandon Morrow (SP)- I thought he had a good season last year, and could have been a real star this season. But then arm troubles started again for him. Morrow's season might be one that is half on the DL, half on the mound.  Prediction: 82 wins, I think the Jays might be able to make a push into the top of the AL East, but they are still one year away from challenging for the crown. 

5.) Baltimore Orioles: Player I Like: Brian Matusz (SP)- People were high on him last year, and he did not have the break out year that people expected. He will be the All-Star representative for the O's this season. A  tall left-hander who can bring the noise on the mound Player I Hate: Derrek Lee (1B)- I saw DLee last year not be able to catch up to the fastball last season, and I think nothing changes this season. Lee seems to be washed up, and he will be playing a limited role come June. Prediction: 75 wins, in any other division they would be in the top 3. I am convinced of that, they have a solid squad with a good manager. 

No division will be tougher than the AL East.

-Charlie.

Red Sox Reunion in Tampa

We all knew that the Tampa Bay Rays would be in rebuilding move this season. They didn't have the money to afford Carl Crawford, Matt Garza, and they didn't want Carlos Pena anymore.  Not to mention, they have a ton of young talent ready to make their impact in the major leagues.  But last night, they made two moves that make the AL East even tougher if that's even possible.

I am hoping he brings
this back. 

The Rays reeled in Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez who both could have an impact even at their old age. Damon's production fell off a cliff in his short stint with Detroit. Unless your name is Miguel Cabrera, most people struggle to do things in Comerica Park.  He always kept himself in pretty good shape therefore his age really doesn't bother me. I could see a great situational lineup with Damon and hot prospect Desmond Jennings.  My assumption is Jennings isn't ready to be a full time starter therefore the Rays' brass felt the need to bring in Damon.

From what I've read, Ramirez is in great shape. Now, I don't always buy into that. It's like a girl telling you her friend is pretty hot and dateable then you meet her and she is about 10 pounds overweight with a psycho personality.  It will be an interesting dynamic to see Joe Maddon handle Ramirez and how he responds to the occasional ManRam issues. If he can come up big, he is an obvious game changer.  I assume he will DH for them, but why could they try him at first base?  It would be an interesting experiment in Spring Training just to see how it works.

The other reason these deals make sense is because they are going to bring in revenue. Tampa's fan base deals with a ton of transplants from the northeast area. People who might not have had the chance to see Ramirez and Damon in their prime now get to see them in their twilight of their career trying to take down their former teams.

-Charlie.