Cooperstown Bound?
If athletes could map out their careers they would include things such as Rookie of the Year Awards, MVP's and of course plenty of championship rings. Many would plan a storybook ending, perhaps a tearful sendoff by a stadium full of their devoted fans. No one, if given the choice, would choose Manny Ramirez's exit.
Ramirez was notified that he had violated the league's performance enhancing drug policy for a second time. Rather appeal the violation or just serve his suspension, Manny decided to walk away from the profession that earned him at least $200 million. While the dust from his quick departure settles, many are looking ahead to the question of should Manny Ramirez be in the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame?
I was certainly surprised by the announcement Friday. The Hall of Fame talk got me thinking, and I wasn't immediately sure what my decision was on Manny. I am an Orioles fan and can remember the havoc that Ramirez wreaked on the birds. There is no doubt he was a game changer, and anyone who disagrees has to look back no further than the amazing run he had with the Dodgers in 2008. After the Red Sox traded him to the National League, Ramirez hit an insane .396 and went on to carry the Dodgers in the playoffs, hitting over .500 for two series.
While it helps to be one of the most feared hitters of your time, your numbers have to stack up to make you Hall of Fame material. The one stat that many are aware of is his homerun total of 555. He ranks high in many offensive categories, his two most impressive feats are his career .312 batting average and .996 OPS.
While Manny Ramirez had a very good and borderline great career, in this period of performance enhancing drugs he would not get my vote for the Hall of Fame. Even without the cloud of steroids hanging over Manny's head I do not think that he belongs in Cooperstown.
No longer does the 500 home run mark unlock the door of the Hall of Fame for players. Manny ranks 14th on the career homerun list but was not able to crack the more celebrated 600 plateau. You also have to figure in his steroid and PED use. It is impossible to say how many more homeruns Ramirez hit while using these drugs, but guys take them and have taken them for a reason, it boosts your numbers. This is a fairly moot point for me because as I've stated hitting 555 homeruns even without taking steroids does not guarantee you my vote.
While statistics have shown that chicks do dig the long ball, you need to be a well rounded hitter to get into the Hall. This is where I believe you will find the strongest argument for Ramirez. His .312 batting average is very impressive and this is where I will give Manny credit. While steroids may help hitters achieve milestone homerun marks, they do not turn .250 hitters into guys who mash at a pace of .312. His OPS was impacted by his homerun totals, but a .996 mark is nonetheless impressive. These two marks definitely put Ramirez in the category of great right handed hitters, but alone do not make him bound for the Hall.
Another important but often overlooked aspect is a player's defense. This is an area that Manny will be getting little love. Ramirez has had several memorable moments in left field but not for the right reasons. Manny has had his share of fielding gaffs and was seen as more of a liability in the outfield during the ladder part of his career.
Finally there are the intangibles. Some may say that these are issues that do not matter, votes should be determined on the numbers alone. While the numbers usually do much of the talking, I believe there are some points to be won by being a great leader or teammate. This is another area where Ramirez comes up a little short. He was often a distraction and even gave up on the 2008 Red Sox until he got his wish and was traded to the Dodgers. He took innings or games off mentally, especially in the field. While he will be known for his easy going ways, I do not know that Manny Ramirez will go down as one of the great teammates in history.
As I've laid out, I do not think Manny Ramirez is a Hall of Famer. Feared by pitchers and managers, Manny was certainly a great hitter and game changer at times in his career. However, his hitting alone doesn't overwhelm me and along with that he just did not have the defense or intangibles to warrant my vote.
So while Ramirez might not have had the storybook ending some would hope for, I'm sure that $200 million will keep him busy in Mannywood.
Manny carried the Dodgers in 08
Ramirez was notified that he had violated the league's performance enhancing drug policy for a second time. Rather appeal the violation or just serve his suspension, Manny decided to walk away from the profession that earned him at least $200 million. While the dust from his quick departure settles, many are looking ahead to the question of should Manny Ramirez be in the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame?
I was certainly surprised by the announcement Friday. The Hall of Fame talk got me thinking, and I wasn't immediately sure what my decision was on Manny. I am an Orioles fan and can remember the havoc that Ramirez wreaked on the birds. There is no doubt he was a game changer, and anyone who disagrees has to look back no further than the amazing run he had with the Dodgers in 2008. After the Red Sox traded him to the National League, Ramirez hit an insane .396 and went on to carry the Dodgers in the playoffs, hitting over .500 for two series.
While it helps to be one of the most feared hitters of your time, your numbers have to stack up to make you Hall of Fame material. The one stat that many are aware of is his homerun total of 555. He ranks high in many offensive categories, his two most impressive feats are his career .312 batting average and .996 OPS.
Ramirez posted a career .312 BA
While Manny Ramirez had a very good and borderline great career, in this period of performance enhancing drugs he would not get my vote for the Hall of Fame. Even without the cloud of steroids hanging over Manny's head I do not think that he belongs in Cooperstown.
No longer does the 500 home run mark unlock the door of the Hall of Fame for players. Manny ranks 14th on the career homerun list but was not able to crack the more celebrated 600 plateau. You also have to figure in his steroid and PED use. It is impossible to say how many more homeruns Ramirez hit while using these drugs, but guys take them and have taken them for a reason, it boosts your numbers. This is a fairly moot point for me because as I've stated hitting 555 homeruns even without taking steroids does not guarantee you my vote.
While statistics have shown that chicks do dig the long ball, you need to be a well rounded hitter to get into the Hall. This is where I believe you will find the strongest argument for Ramirez. His .312 batting average is very impressive and this is where I will give Manny credit. While steroids may help hitters achieve milestone homerun marks, they do not turn .250 hitters into guys who mash at a pace of .312. His OPS was impacted by his homerun totals, but a .996 mark is nonetheless impressive. These two marks definitely put Ramirez in the category of great right handed hitters, but alone do not make him bound for the Hall.
Another important but often overlooked aspect is a player's defense. This is an area that Manny will be getting little love. Ramirez has had several memorable moments in left field but not for the right reasons. Manny has had his share of fielding gaffs and was seen as more of a liability in the outfield during the ladder part of his career.
Finally there are the intangibles. Some may say that these are issues that do not matter, votes should be determined on the numbers alone. While the numbers usually do much of the talking, I believe there are some points to be won by being a great leader or teammate. This is another area where Ramirez comes up a little short. He was often a distraction and even gave up on the 2008 Red Sox until he got his wish and was traded to the Dodgers. He took innings or games off mentally, especially in the field. While he will be known for his easy going ways, I do not know that Manny Ramirez will go down as one of the great teammates in history.
Manny being Manny
As I've laid out, I do not think Manny Ramirez is a Hall of Famer. Feared by pitchers and managers, Manny was certainly a great hitter and game changer at times in his career. However, his hitting alone doesn't overwhelm me and along with that he just did not have the defense or intangibles to warrant my vote.
So while Ramirez might not have had the storybook ending some would hope for, I'm sure that $200 million will keep him busy in Mannywood.
