Manny Ramirez once was viewed as a fun-loving character who made the game a joy to watch. His smile illuminated ballparks and kept fans on their toes to witness whatever he had in store next. Some of his most memorable moments included high-fiving a fan after a catch and entering the Green Monster to use the bathroom. All of his antics were dismissed as just “Manny being Manny,” and the question was not if he would be inducted to the Hall of Fame but when. Not any more.
Ramirez retired in April rather than face a 100-game suspension for a second positive test for performance-enhancing drugs. And now he is facing criminal prosecution on charges that he slapped his wife during an argument.
The perception of Ramirez has drastically changed over the last couple years. He has been labeled as a cheater, a quitter and now possibly a wife beater.
Watching the demise of an athlete is sad, especially for someone who once epitomized the joy of playing baseball.
And Ramirez played the game at a Hall of Fame level. He hit 555 home runs, drove in 1,831 runs and had a career batting average of .312. But there will never be a bust of Ramirez in Cooperstown with those long dreadlocks and large grin. No one is willing to defend his conduct anymore.
Ramirez used to entertain fans. Now he only disappoints them.
– Jeffrey Tomik
