Manny Ramirez's Contract With The Kochi Fighting Dogs In Japan Includes Unlimited Sushi And Optional Practices
Back in January, it was announced that Manny Ramirez, who is going to be 45 in May, had signed a contract with the Kochi Fighting Dogs of the Shikoku Island League in Japan. I still haven’t done the research on how I’ll accomplish this, but I can’t wait to watch his at-bats on what I can only imagine will be a grainy, shitty quality internet video stream, as only the Shikoku Island League could provide. But as I anxiously await his 2017 debut, the Boston Globe dropped this little tidbit today, detailing some of the language in Manny’s contract.
Manny Ramirez has arrived in Japan for spring training with the independent league Kochi Island Fighting Dogs, and the initial details of the 44-year-old’s interest in continuing his playing career are … fascinating. At a press conference at which his No. 99 jersey (identifying him simply as “Manny”), a translated summary of the proceedings on the Yakyudb.com website reveals that: 1) Ramirez will have use of a Mercedes and driver; 2) Practices are optional for him; 3) He’ll get a hotel suite on the road; and 4) He will receive unlimited sushi for the entire season.
This is one big power move. Some of the stuff in here is pretty common to see in a big-name player’s big-money contract — the suite on the road, box seats at home games, etc. Manny took this thing to the next level, though, definitely seeing how much he could get away with. I’ll take all the standard superstar perks, like the hotel suite on the road, but uhhh…how about practice whenever I feel like it AKA never? I mean, I’m Manny Ramirez. If I don’t want to practice, I honestly shouldn’t have to. Again, I am actually Manny Ramirez.
Use of a Mercedes and a driver — I like how he specifically goes Mercedes here. It’d be one thing to have the team pay for a driver for him all season, but it’s another to make it mandatory that they’re driving a Mercedes. Can’t show up to your Japanese independent league baseball games in a Subaru looking like a common person. And then the ultimate power move — unlimited sushi for the entire season. Full disclosure: I’ve never had sushi before, but I know fitness freaks love that shit. I’m interpreting unlimited sushi as unlimited dingers.
His hair might be hanging on for dear life, but his superstar status and passion for baseball is still fully intact.