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"Manny Being Manny" --Coming Soon to the Windy City
In USA Today today there's a report that the Chicago White Sox have acquired Manny Ramirez from the Los Angeles Dodgers after ManRam was put on waivers by LA. One caveat of this deal is that Manny only has a mere $4 million left on his 2 year $45 million deal that he signed prior to the 2009 season. That was when Manny demanded the Dodgers pay him $54 million for those 2 seasons. Fat chance in this economy and at his age.
The Pale Hose could pick up the tab or at least the majority of it if he's picked up in a trade which would most likely involve Sox prospects.
Ironically, the Sox are about to open a series against the Cleveland Indians in Cleveland...where the reality show known as Manny Ramirez first got off the ground. Ever since the show has made stops in Boston and LA.
The Dodgers relationship with Manny Ramirez had soured just as it did at the end of his stay in Beantown. He was still batting over .300 but he missed games due to injury. He also missed 50 games after being busted for performance enhancing drugs. One thing about the "Manny Being Manny" concept is that when Manny's not happy with his surroundings, he doesn't try and sugarcoat it the way other players probably would. When he's ticked, he shows it and he was definitely ticked at the end of his stay. The Dodgers are still hanging on to a shot at the NL Wild Card crown, but with the NL West coming down to the Padres vs. Giants, LA figured it was time to get Manny and his traveling reality show out of Chavez Ravine. Ted Lilly and Ryan Theriot have helped somewhat but it seems as though they've brought Cubbie syndrome to Southern California.
Those are the acquisitions that the Dodgers did make around the trade deadline. When the name "Manny Ramirez" was mentioned around July 31st, it hit us like a ton of bricks.
Manny traded again?!?!
The White Sox and their risk-taking owner Ken Williams did try to broker an 11th hour deal for Manny the same way he did for Jake Peavy at the 2009 Deadline. No deal was done.
Even without a deadline deal, attention turned to the waiver period. Manny even lost the "Mannywood" sign in left field. A clear sign that business in "Mannywood" was bad and was preparing to close up shop. Really the only team that was willing to take on Manny was the Chicago White Sox. After all this is a team with Ozzie Guillen as manager and Ken Williams as general manager...both of which sound as if they deserve their own radio show(s).
With the Dodgers fading out of the pennant race, LA went from buyers at the deadline to sellers during the waiver period. And of course, all eyes turned to #99.
But Manny went out as only Manny could.
Ramirez was brought in to pinch-hit in a game at Colorado. The sacks were packed with blue guys. He took one pitch that was called a strike. He argued with the Gary Cederstrom, the home plate umpire. Umps don't take well to guys who argue balls and strikes and Ramirez was tossed out of the game. His last plate appearance in Dodger Blue ended in an ejection...Manny Being Manny. Reed Johnson had to take Ramirez's place. He GIDP'd.
Ramirez will most be a DH for the South Siders since I've seen leprechauns who play better outfield than Manny Ramirez.
If Manny Ramirez had "Mannywood" in LA, what fan base will he have in Chicago? "ManRam Park" since there are so many in Downtown Chicago? "Yes We Mann" since we know that President Obama is a huge aficionado of the South Siders. MLB Network is also loving this. They have a reality show on the Network called "The Club" which is chronicling the 2010 White Sox season from the perspective of Ozzie, Kenny, and owner Jerry Reinsdorf. That's like a weekly talk show on ESPN featuring Milton Bradley, John Rocker, and Mark Cuban.
If the Sox, do make the postseason it may be in large part due to their pitching staff. Jake Peavy, Gavin Floyd, and Freddy Garcia are a 1-2-3 that can deal with the best of 'em.
Of course that is when Peavy himself is healthy.
Video also includes another interlude with a bumblebee. What do bumblebees see in me?! If only I could attract as many girls as I do bumblebees. Lol :)
Your Opinion...?
