Congradulations to Manny Ramirez!

[toneloc24]

Originally Posted by Mr. Lu

It's a great honor for Manny, but I wonder if his feat will be tainted because he played in the "steroid era." There have never been rumors surrounding Manny, and if you listen to comments by his teammates he is the most dedicated athlete in terms of his hitting, but it's the environment around him. Look at A-rod and there have been rumors around him. I wonder if the recent increase in the 500 home run club changes Manny's place in it.

I think everyone on here knows that I'm a diehard Yankee fan. Any true Yankee fan can completely appreciate what's Manny's been able to accomplish over the years, including against us. He's the real deal on the field. Unlike Sammy Sosa, Manny's numbers will stand up with the greats.

Re: ARod and steroids. Please. Don't fall for it. If they took down Clemens, ARod would've been next, and they've been trying. No evidence at all. The ONLY person you've heard mention ARod and steroids more than once in a sentence was Canseco. Now we all know why. ARod might've screwed his now ex-wife. Nothing further.

Taking personality aside, ARod is the best player on the field in MLB for 162 games. Post-season's another story. However, multiple Gold Gloves at SS, one at 3rd base, then there's the ridiculous offensive numbers. And he's only 32??? Imagine if Seattle was capable of keeping him and Griffey together.

Originally Posted by Mr. Lu

Also, does this make Manny a guaranteed future hall of famer?

Manny was a 1st ballot HOF before 500 HR. Everything since the 2nd WS title is just icing on the cake.

Originally Posted by Mr. Lu

And finally, has anyone noticed how Ken Griffey Jr. is on his way to 600 and no one has said a peep? Unfortunate for one of the greatest baseball players of our time.

Well, that's the regional bias of ESPN. It's all about the Northeast. As an example, how do you explain this Joba-mania crap? Edinson Volquez has been lighting it up. Do you hear anything from them?

Injuries have taken the shine off of Griffey. Now he's being crowded out of playing time with all of the young guns in the Cincinnati OF. If he had been healthy throughout his career, he was on the path to taking down Aaron's HR record. Sad, but many great players of the 500-600 HR club prior to the steroid era suffered the same fate, injuries.

He'll be a 1st ballot HOFer as well, when he hangs them up. He and Bonds dominated the 90s prior to the full-blown steroids era.

[Dolores]

Here is a photo of teenager Woo and the ball.

BostonHerald.com - Blogs: Bradford Files» Blog Archive » The Manny

[BermudaRum]

Manny's the ultimate ball player to have. Where is the steroid in Manny, look and you will find it in his dreads! Way to go Manny! BIG PAPI is next!!!

[Cleef]

Originally Posted by Chip

The Woos look like die hard sox fans. This maybe a little provacative, but would a Yankees fan do that for Arod's 600, assuming he is still there?

I'd start a very angry thread if I told you what I'd do with that ball.

My golfing partner and I debated the returning of the (Ramirez) HR ball. Can't say for sure until it actually happened to me, but I'm pretty sure I'd convince myself to take at least a day to think about it.

Hard to say no to some $$ in that situation. It's like hitting the lottery.

[Cleef]

Originally Posted by toneloc24

Well, that's the regional bias of ESPN. It's all about the Northeast. As an example, how do you explain this Joba-mania crap? Edinson Volquez has been lighting it up. Do you hear anything from them?

That's a great point. I can't find the words to describe my disdain for ESPN.

Have you actually watched him pitch, or just seen the stats?

The stats, for sure, are impressive, but watching him (to me) is equally so. I don't know where to find the stat, but I'd bet you he's in the lead for inducing double-plays. I haven't been counting, but he gets TONS of DPs, more often than not, after a walk.

[toneloc24]

Originally Posted by Cleef

That's a great point. I can't find the words to describe my disdain for ESPN.

Have you actually watched him pitch, or just seen the stats?

The stats, for sure, are impressive, but watching him (to me) is equally so. I don't know where to find the stat, but I'd bet you he's in the lead for inducing double-plays. I haven't been counting, but he gets TONS of DPs, more often than not, after a walk.

Seen him pitch 2x so far, against the Braves. Impressive. Keeps the ball down. Cueto got all the hype. Volquez lives up to it.

Remember talking about this dude at the beginning of the season??? LOL!!! We were right.

Re: ESPN. Yeah, I still watch it. But it's so biased, it's ridiculous, and even for the Yankees.

There's only been 14 unassisted triple plays in the history of baseball. There have been hundreds of no-hitters. Which got top billing? And why? Then they even dwelled on it several times over the course of the 30 min. show.

Griffey approaching 600 HRs SHOULD warrant more interest than Manny's at 500 HRs, but we'll watch it get buried by ESPN again.

[Berzin]

Griffey and his Reds team have been bogus ever since he got to Cincinnati. They are never in the playoff hunt and he is always hurt, in part due to the fact that he is not exactly a conditioning hound in the off-season.

Manny is more relevant on a national stage because he puts up great numbers, delivers in the clutch and plays for a team that is in the playoffs seemingly every year. Plus the added bonus of the Yanks-Sox rivalry doesn't hurt.

Griffey has none of those things working in his favor. So hold your horsies when it comes to bashing ESPN for their east coast bias.

They are on the mark on this one and have given Manny his due coverage for a stunning achievement given the pressure-packed highly competitive environment he plays in, which is more than can ever be said of Griffey and his career.

Griffeys' stats are just empty numbers by a guy who is running on fumes and is in the last throes of a career that has not yielded any benefit to the Reds whatsoever.

Ken Griffey Jr. is the Kimbo Slice of professional baseball-all hype, so substance.

[RonS]

Good Lord! This thread was begun to congratulate Manny on a great achievement. NOT to bash Griffey or make a comparison to him!

[Mr. Lu]

Originally Posted by RonS

Good Lord! This thread was begun to congratulate Manny on a great achievement. NOT to bash Griffey or make a comparison to him!

This is about Manny and his achievements. Though credit is due to Mr. Griffey. 600 is nothing to scoff at, especially since he has been injured for so many years. And finally, will Alex Rodriguez enjoy the same love when he hits 600 or 700 as Manny did for 500? Is Rodriguez the type of guy you root for?



Mr. Lu

[Kyle]

now let's congratulate Manny for hitting Youkalis your teammate in the dugout last night and caught on national tv...

congrats Manny and we look forward to many more of your achievements !!