Manny Moves Up- No. 20 with a Bullet
Manny just passed another milestone; he’s over 1700 career RBIs. Perhaps within the week, certainly by the end of the season, he will be in the top 20 all time in that category. And as I’ve had occasion to point out in many previous postings, he’s managed to reach that lofty number in only fifteen seasons. If you look above him in the all-time listing, only three of the top twenty reached that plateau in fewer than twenty seasons.
Now let’s look forward, and assume Manny plays another five seasons, during which he stays productive. His tenure on the West Coast has shown that he can still hit; he’s knocking in runs at a remarkable pace for the Dodgers, even if they aren’t gaining much ground in the lame NL West. So can he drive in another 500 runs in the next five years? Not unthinkable. If so, he’ll be right there with Ruth, and maybe even Aaron, contending for the all-time career RBI record. I know Manny likes to act as if he doesn’t care, but we know that’s mostly an act (OK, perhaps sometimes it’s a conniption); and I think if that goal is in sight, he’ll stick around until it’s accomplished.
Only problem is, where does an aging slugger best fit? In the AL, at the DH. And who has enough money to pay Manny what he’ll want after this year? I hesitate to answer my own question. Now maybe the Angels could afford Manny, but they already have an aging slugger in the outfield, one who is prone to make gaffs, and who will probably end up at the DH spot. So that leaves only one team. I shudder at the thought of Manny wearing pinstripes. I’ve always hated Boggs, ever since he sold out, and road that horse around Yankee stadium. I know he’s wearing his Boston cap in the Hall of Fame, but I never would have voted for him. He disappeared in the 1986 post-season, and seemed to hit best when it really didn’t count. Still, I might have voted for him, even with his horse and his addiction, had he not gone over to the dark side. Damon is another one. We use Damon’s shirts as rags in the barbeque pit, mostly to clean up grease and bird poop, but I can accept his defection more easily than Boggs’, because the current clean-cut Damon bears almost no resemblance to the colorful guy who knocked in six runs in my favorite game seven of all time. This guy playing for the Steinbrenners, and smiling his goofy smile without any whiskers or hair to speak of, he can’t really be that free-spirited Johnny Damon, can he?
But Manny in pinstripes? How can the Nation possibly deal with that? And now that I think of it, how will the haters deal with that? They’ve always talked shit on Manny, relentlessly, interminably, tediously, but what will they say when he takes aim at that short left field foul pole? Will haters have to eat their words? That just might be more fun to watch than a dinner at Keen’s. On the other hand, maybe the Mets will sign him, and he can join Pedro and Santana, and still get to play near Washington Heights. For now though, give Manny his due for another big season at the plate.
Now let’s look forward, and assume Manny plays another five seasons, during which he stays productive. His tenure on the West Coast has shown that he can still hit; he’s knocking in runs at a remarkable pace for the Dodgers, even if they aren’t gaining much ground in the lame NL West. So can he drive in another 500 runs in the next five years? Not unthinkable. If so, he’ll be right there with Ruth, and maybe even Aaron, contending for the all-time career RBI record. I know Manny likes to act as if he doesn’t care, but we know that’s mostly an act (OK, perhaps sometimes it’s a conniption); and I think if that goal is in sight, he’ll stick around until it’s accomplished.
Only problem is, where does an aging slugger best fit? In the AL, at the DH. And who has enough money to pay Manny what he’ll want after this year? I hesitate to answer my own question. Now maybe the Angels could afford Manny, but they already have an aging slugger in the outfield, one who is prone to make gaffs, and who will probably end up at the DH spot. So that leaves only one team. I shudder at the thought of Manny wearing pinstripes. I’ve always hated Boggs, ever since he sold out, and road that horse around Yankee stadium. I know he’s wearing his Boston cap in the Hall of Fame, but I never would have voted for him. He disappeared in the 1986 post-season, and seemed to hit best when it really didn’t count. Still, I might have voted for him, even with his horse and his addiction, had he not gone over to the dark side. Damon is another one. We use Damon’s shirts as rags in the barbeque pit, mostly to clean up grease and bird poop, but I can accept his defection more easily than Boggs’, because the current clean-cut Damon bears almost no resemblance to the colorful guy who knocked in six runs in my favorite game seven of all time. This guy playing for the Steinbrenners, and smiling his goofy smile without any whiskers or hair to speak of, he can’t really be that free-spirited Johnny Damon, can he?
But Manny in pinstripes? How can the Nation possibly deal with that? And now that I think of it, how will the haters deal with that? They’ve always talked shit on Manny, relentlessly, interminably, tediously, but what will they say when he takes aim at that short left field foul pole? Will haters have to eat their words? That just might be more fun to watch than a dinner at Keen’s. On the other hand, maybe the Mets will sign him, and he can join Pedro and Santana, and still get to play near Washington Heights. For now though, give Manny his due for another big season at the plate.
posted by pops | 5:08 PM
6 Comments:
Manny will always be just about being Manny. Never about baseball, team or teammates. He is a selfish, disrespecting player and that will not change. His ability to hit a baseball will also not change. That ability will allow him to earn lots of money but not the respect of fans (other than the fans of the team he plays on). Some have said in the past that's 'Manny being Manny' I say its 'bullshit being bullshit'. Maybe retiring a players number in a stadium or going into the HOF is sentiment for fans but I am a fan of baseball and of course the Yankees. His number will not be retired and redsox fans will be luck warm to him wearing a redsox hat into the HOF.
As far as Manny becoming a Yankee, who knows. I would like his production but hate everything else. I think the reaction from redsox fans would be worth the signing. I prefer to have him out of sight and out of mind.
By the way do you mind the Yankees taking 2 out of 3 from the Rays. See you at Keens.
G-man
On behalf of Red Sox Nation, I thank the Yankees for taking two of three from the Rays - the Yanks are becoming terrific third place finishers. May they stay there....
Chip
G-Man,
A Yankees-Rays split was just what the doctor ordered. We're a tad closer to the Rays, with six games between the teams in September.
Meanwhile, your comment equivocates about Manny.You like his production, but hate everything else; but I want you to declare: Should the Yankees go after Manny as a free agent, yes or no?
Meanwhile, I have suggested to John that the weekend of Nov. 8 might be the time for our pilgrimage to Keens. He can tap Tunic (Rico)for Yankee-Sox balance, and if they can make it, then we see if Danny and Mike can as well.
I know we're going to SU-Rutgers that day, but I expect the game will be over well before halftime; give us time to get into manhattan.
Berg
NO and YES!
No I do not wan the Yankees to go after Manny. He is not worth the trouble as demonstrated by the team play of the redsox after his departure. I wan the Yankees to go after Pitching. Pitching and Pitching everything else follows.
Yes to Nov. 8th. I actually had the same thought. I expect to paying not collecting on our next visit to Keen's but maybe we can celebrate an Obama victory. The later hopeful prediction has got me very anxious about the outcome of the election. I can't imagine McC being able to distance himself from Bush. What a shame. He changes course more times than a sail boat in a gale.
G-man
I have been absent of late for which I am sorry. The idea of Manny in stripes would leave me vituperate. I will pray with great effort to the end that we seek pitching and more pitching only. I have begun the paperwork to remortgage my property in anticipation of our Keene's experience. The 8th seems to be a good date for me as well. I believe our spouses may be in Israel that weekend...daled
Dan,
No need to be sorry for a sorry Yankee season. Our pitching is pathic due to injuries and over projection of rookies. Now we have an over performing Mussina, a tired Petitte, and a collection of retreads and retards.
Co-ordination of mortgages will be in order. Seriously the bill will not be too bad except for the single malt which we will put limits on.
G-man
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