Manny Ramirez is retiring. I guess that’s what six losing games with Kyle Farnsworth will do to you. Major League Baseball announced the move in a statement on Friday.
“Major League Baseball recently notified Manny Ramirez of an issue under Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” the statement said. “Rather than continue with the process under the Program, Ramirez has informed MLB that he is retiring as an active player. If Ramirez seeks reinstatement in the future, the process under the Drug Program will be completed. MLB will not have any further comment on this matter.”
Manny leaves behind a legacy of being one of the best hitters and most insane, illogical human beings of his generation. Two World Series championships in Boston are matched by how he used to disappear into the Green Monster to pee. Twelve All-Star selections, and that time he caught a ball, ran up the outfield wall and high-fived a guy. 555 home runs and over 1,800 runs batted in. Dreadlocks wigs, shifty motivation and pronouncing “Boston Red Sox” as “boson red sogs” in his intro video to MVP Baseball.
Ramirez has been one of the most memorable characters in The Dugout since its inception, running around and making airplang noises and playing spies, and if my inability to let go of Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds is any indication, Manny will be being Manny well into the future. We at With Leather wish him the best in his future endeavors, which I guess are sitting around in his underwear and watching cartoons.