Manny Ramirez Has Signed A Contract To Play Independent Baseball In Japan
I’m not gonna brag that Barstool was on this story over a month ago, but Barstool was on this story over a month ago.
When I was going through the Japanese headlines, as I do every morning, I came across this report on December 2 from Nikkan Sports that Manny Ramirez was signing with the Kochi Fighting Dogs of the Shikoku Island League in Japan. I trusted my Japanese interpretation instincts, and I ran with it, blogged it, and now it has come to fruition. It is, indeed, happening, and I could not be more excited.
Why? Think about it. Who was your favorite hitter to watch growing up? I’m sure you’ve got a name in your head. How did their career end? More than likely, they did not end their career as strongly as David Ortiz did. Nobody has. Your favorite player probably crawled to the finish line, retired as a shell of their former self, and got fat within two years of being retired, unable to play professional baseball even if they wanted to. Manny Ramirez did not do that. By the way, I just described Derek Jeter without intending to do so.
After he retired from Major League Baseball (because of a second PED suspension), Manny un-retired once he realized that his suspension prevented him from even playing winter ball. He tried several comeback attempts with major league organizations after serving his 100-game ban, including the A’s, Rangers, and technically the Cubs, but never made it back to the majors. In addition to trying to catch on with those aforementioned teams, he also spent some time in the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan in 2013.
But now, here in 2017, Manny has signed with the Kochi Fighting Dogs in Japan, which brings me back to my original point. I’m sure a decent amount of you thought of Ken Griffey Jr. when I asked who your favorite hitter was to watch growing up. Manny’s about to turn 45 this May. The Kid is 47. Imagine if Griffey came out of retirement to play baseball a couple years ago, and he was actually in playing shape? That would’ve been amazing to relive the glory days, but professional athletes don’t age backwards. Once they hang it up, that’s usually it, unless you’re Brett Favre.
Say what you want about Manny — he’s a cheater, he’s an asshole, he doesn’t care, he’s lazy, etc. — but his love for the game of baseball is undeniable. Ten years ago, Manny looked like a prime candidate to be one of those all-time great players who just disappears off the face of the earth once they retire. He has all the money in the world, and seemingly had a lack of passion in his heart. Since then, he’s proven me, and a lot of other people, wrong by doing the exact opposite. He just won’t put the bat down, no matter what he’s getting paid to play or where they’re paying him to do it, and I’ve got nothing but respect for that.