Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
First and foremost, I want to let everyone know I am a die hard LA Dodgers fan. In response to what Chad wrote this morning, I'd like to counter a few things as well as bring to light the view from a die hard Dodgers fan. Manny Ramirez has been an absolute beast at bat in his career. What we don't know is if he's been a beast because of long term steroid/PED use or not. I would bet on the fact this isn't the first time he's used an illegal substance to help further his career. You can argue all you want about steroids and PED's not being against the rules for Major League Baseball, but it's a simple fact that steroids were illegal to use in the United States. Therefore it's is, and always has been cheating in my eyes.
I do agree with Chad that everyone in the country will be eagerly awaiting the return of Manny come July 3rd. A good number of people will be watching to see if he can return to his former self, or if he falls on his face without the use of PED's. Most Dodgers fans can't wait because they love him and think he can do no wrong. That's pretty much what I expect from one of the worst group of fans for any Major League team. Yes, I say this despite being a huge LA Fan. Personally, I'd rather just forget about him and move on with the team I have. I know this sounds stupid, but I'd rather take my chances with Juan Pierre and the rest of the Dodgers team than potentially winning it all with Manny in left field. I have real concerns that his return will upset the chemistry of the team. It's not like he's ever done that before. Luckily for the Dodgers organization, Manny still needs to be on his best behavior, play hard and perform as best as he can.
Is he good for the game of baseball? No, he's not. Even before being suspended for 50 games he was bad for the sport. It's not good when a sure fire hall of famer can shoot his way out of Boston. It's not good for baseball when a player says his 14th grandmother has passed away so he can miss parts of spring training, or create a fake injury to miss time because he's mad at an organization. It's also not good for baseball when a player pushes down a 65 year old club attendant and is not reprimanded for it. I say all this and haven't even mentioned the time last season when he protests pinch hitting against the New York Yankees by keeping his bat on his shoulder and takes three straight pitches down the middle.
Manny Ramirez is a no good scumbag who just happens to be the best right handed hitter of his generation and one of the best of all time. My question now is can he still be that hitter without help? Only time will tell.
I think you'd have more of a leg to stand on if you were talking about age (he's 36 years old) instead of PED's ...that's the easy way out of this debate and it's easy to speculate that his production will all of a sudden decrease now that he's not getting any "help."
ReplyDeleteYou are crazy to think that Juan Pierre offers more than Manny on the field. Granted, they are two totally different players, but didn't Manny carry the Dodgers into the playoffs last year? Can Pierre do that? His skill set doesn't all it, and you know that. ...so much for your chemistry comment because the Dodgers rallied around Manny last year.
My point was never that Pierre was a better player for the Dodgers. Of course he's not. I happen to believe that most of Manny's power numbers are false because I think he's taken performing enhancers the majority of his career. Even without those, he's a better hitter than Pierre. Manny also was the reason why the Dodgers went to the playoffs last year. I am not debating that. I just don't want him on my team much in the same way I didn't want Rodney Harrison on my team.
ReplyDeleteYou're right that Manny changed the team chemistry last year for the better. I just don't know what he'll do now. The Dodgers have created a great style of small ball that's winning games due to a great team on base percentage and timely hitting. In conclusion, I don't want Manny back regardless of how good he can be. Of course I'll celebrate if they happen to win it all, but a World Series title would be a bit tainted if Manny is a big part of it.
History will likely judge Manny as being bad for baseball. Jimmy you called him a future Hall of Famer. I disagree. He will be left out just like other players who have tested positive or have been linked to PEDs. Unless you are Tim Kurkjian, who thinks everyone should get in.
ReplyDeleteDan,
ReplyDeleteI mispoke. He was a future hall of famer. He's no longer on due to the suspension