500

by Allen Chace on Jun 2, 2008 12:28 PM EDT in Events Comment 7 comments

It's just a number. I've heard that a bit over the past couple of days. And those severely misguided individuals have a point: other than being a "nice round number", what does 500 mean that 499 didn't? That 501 didn't? That 237 didn't? And it's true.

The HR itself was semi-notable, if not historically notable. Chad Bradford is not an easy pitcher to hit a HR off of, in fact, a RH submariner should've been one of the toughest for Manny to hit one against.

via d.yimg.com

But what is 500? It's a reason. It's a reason to celebrate all things Manny. Since he's come to Boston, he's done nothing but hit. There are many large FA contracts handed out in the modern era of baseball, and you'd have to say that of those players, Manny is one of few who has really met expectations.

Did I say he's done nothing but hit? He's also been at the center of a number of amusing situations, at least when one looks at them with the proper perspective. He's demanded and rescinded demands for trades. He's put property on sale on ebay. He's been late to spring training for...interesting reasons more than once. He's cutoff throws in which he was certainly not the relay man. He's robbed MFY utility IFs of HRs. He's high-fived fans in the middle of amazing plays. He's disappeared into the Monster during play.

Through it all, he's continued to hit. And moreso, he's been an absolute delight for those able to let the aforementioned incidents (and others) be seen for their entertainment value.

And, of course, Manny has had the right perspective of the milestone. He wants 600, heck, he specifically mentioned hitting 501 in the midst of questions about the 500 mark. Manny loves to hit, and loves to see himself being successful at doing so, maybe moreso than any of his fans.

What else is 500? It's a reminder that when he's done, we're going to miss him. ...a lot.

via d.yimg.com

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Nice photos

I missed Manny’s 500th, but enjoy every at-bat.

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Jun 2, 2008 12:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Great post

Manny is THE MAN.

Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone You'll never walk alone

by MerryGoByeBye on Jun 2, 2008 1:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Manny’s always surprising us. I don’t think anyone is expecting him to demand a trade, which was an annual occurrence up until last year. You don’t see so many jokes about his work ethic any more either (for example: http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/manny_ramirez_asks_red_sox ).

I think Manny’s on track for a better year. He’s only missed four games altogether of the first 59. He’s on pace for .2 HR per game played. If he gets in 140 games, he should hit 28 HRs. And Manny might go on an extended hitting streak and do even better. Manny’s real value last year was in the playoffs. He was awesome against the Angels (1.740 OPS) and the Indians (1.290 OPS) with four HR.

The big question is, will Manny hit well enough for the Sox to pick up his $20 million option year?

by 0157H7 on Jun 2, 2008 3:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

How about a paycut

and a four-year deal? COuld he turn down $15 mil for four years?

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Jun 2, 2008 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's a lot of truck for 20 million

The sox should re-seign Manny—no question about it.
He’s the best hitter of his generation, and top 10 all time.

Fenway won’t be the same without him
We are watching history people!!!

2 world series rings AND a high-five in the outfield…
what else do we want???

xxCRACKxx flies the ball into the cool October night...

by mpieretti on Jun 3, 2008 2:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He also had an error, but we can forgive him.

Manny has had three straight games with a home run since 500.

If the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only lefties are in the right mind. Bill "Spaceman" Lee

by BoSox415 on Jun 3, 2008 6:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Manny is...

...the seamless synthesis of the two ways I love baseball. He’s the goofy, fun “Let’s go to the game, and drink a half-dozen beers, and cheer for offense” game and the high-tension, bloodthirsty, “I love watching the Sox grind down a division rival in a pitchers’ duel” game. He’s the floppy, shambling, high-fiving, grinning puppy, loping around the outfield and the towering 45-degree “I drink Mussina’s milkshake” laser home-run to Landsdowne Street.

Incomparable.

Rock me, sexy Jesus...

by nuthinboutnuthin on Jun 4, 2008 12:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs