P.M. Update: Manny being Manny
Sure, Manny Ramirez is a self-absorbed goofball with little respect for authority.
But the way LA sees it, he is a lovable goofball. But Fox broadcaster Tim McCarver, the old-school former Cardinal, can’t forgive ManRam for his petulance in Beantown.
“It’s extraordinary — the dichotomy between what he was in Boston and what he is in Los Angeles,” McCarver said, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I mean, talk about wearing out your welcome in a town, and it was a long welcome with the Red Sox. But some of the things he did were simply despicable, despicable — like not playing, refusing to play. Forgetting what knee to limp on. And now it’s washed, it’s gone.”
Yeah, pretty much it is. ManRam helped turn the uptight Dodgers into a late-season juggernaut. His carefree persona helped almost as much as all those homers and runs batted in.
“It’s a wonderful story in many, many ways, and from Boston’s standpoint, it’s a horrible story,” McCarver said. “I would imagine, because he could be doing that for Boston.”
What makes the story all the worse is the involvement of superagent Scott Boras. All along, Boras has insisted he did not orchestrate the deal.
It was interesting, then, when Ramirez was asked about the Dodgers transformation during an on-field TV interview. What turned the team around?
ManRam hemmed and hawed, then gave credit to “Scott” for bringing to L.A.
(Tipsheet is sure that Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, the man who really made the deal happen, appreciated that shout out.)
CAN’T PLAY THE RAMS EVERY WEEK
Although the Eagles wish they could. Losses to Washington and Chicago left quarterback Donovan McNabb feeling low.
“I’m embarrassed with the way I played. I didn’t do enough to win the game for my team. I take that to heart,” the Eagles quarterback wrote in his blog. “I want the ball in my hand when the game is on the line and, if I have it, I have to make a play. I’ll take that responsibility. All three of our losses were within a score, so one play could have made a difference — a fumble, an interception, calling an audible, not calling an audible.”
LOSER CHICAGO FANS AT WAR
Read just one of the war stories for yourself.
This makes you sad to have just one baseball team in town. Imagine how our lives would improve if we could get the Browns back?
Go Manny! If Tim “point out the obvious”McCarver is against someone, I’m for them. MLB’s post season ratings have dropped over 50% since McCarver was added to the telecasts. Coincidence?
I recall the days of the 1960’s when McCarver caught for the Cardinals. Since those days I have always been a Tim McCarver fan. Tim is a student of the game who happens to be opinionated like many of us. Like anyone who gives his opinion, sometimes his is not wanted because it can create controversy. I’ve always enjoyed him in the booth because you can learn from him and he says things the way he sees them. His honesty in the booth is just to down to earth for some to chew and swallow sometimes. I also think Tim’s longevity in the booth speaks for itself. One does not last this long unless he has done some good things on the job.