In 2007, while with ESPN 1470, I hosted a radioathon to benefit the charity The Wounded Warrior Project. During the 2007 Rays season, I spent much of my time in the opposing clubhouse asking players from each team who came through to record quick messages to our military to thank them for their service. Each team that came through had a handful of great guys who were nice enough to record a message to the amazing men and women who serve. Almost every player I asked was more than happy to do it.
In July, the Red Sox came to town. During a phone call with my friend Shaun, who's a huge Red Sox fan in Massachusetts, I mentioned I was going to head down to the Sox clubhouse and ask Manny and David Ortiz to record a message for the troops. I was surprised when my friend explained, "Manny isn't going to talk to you." What? “He’s not going to talk to you. He hates the media." I mentioned how I was younger than a lot of the writers from Boston, and that I was probably more laid back. He kept insisting, "Manny will not talk to you. He hates the media."[image-1]
I headed to the Boston clubhouse determined to get at least a couple Red Sox players, as I had every team before them. After being in the clubhouse about ten minutes Manny walked over to a laptop station in the middle of the visitors’ clubhouse. As he begin doing something with his iPod, I walked over, a bit hesitant, hoping Manny wouldn't be the raging jerk my friend promised he'd be. I got Manny's attention and just let it fly. "Manny, I'm hosting a radioathon where we'll be raising money for wounded troops and I was wondering if you wouldn't mind recording a message for our troops." Suddenly, Manny flashed a smile as warm as you're used to seeing from Carlos Pena. Manny didn't just agree to record a message, but he asked about my event, listening intently. He was genuinely passionate about our troops. Manny recorded the message and while he's not Shakespeare, he's a lot more intelligent and well-spoken than most will give him credit for.
After Manny finished his message, I thanked him for doing it. Then came the biggest surprise of the night. "Do you think maybe I could donate a bat?" .....I quickly responded, "Yea, Manny, I think we could work that out!" Needless to say, my friend Shaun got another call from me as soon as I was outside the Red Sox clubhouse. He begged me for months to cut a small piece of wood from the bat and send it to him. I'm proud to say the winning bidder at our silent auction received the entire bat that Manny handed me the next month.
The bat was sticky with pine tar, and dinged from game use, but the feature that always stuck out to me was how much heart was behind it. A ton of great athletes, broadcasters and several other celebrities recorded messages for our troops and they were all so amazing to do so. But only one guy looked me in the eye after doing so and asked how he could help. Nationally there are very few people who understand that behind the Manny-being-Manny image is a man who, just over an hour before a game, was so passionate about the well-being of our military that he offered to donate something completely unsolicited.
The Rays may have gotten Manny at the end of his career, and it may be debatable whether it was a smart signing to some, but count me as one of those who's extremely excited to see Manny Ramirez throw on a Rays jersey. Johnny Damon is also the national spokesperson for the Wounded Warrior Project. Johnny was nice enough to be a guest of mine during Operation Wounded Warrior and has done a ton of great work with the charity. The Rays are lucky to have Damon and Ramirez for the upcoming season if you ask me. I don't expect the Rays to challenge for a World Series, but there's a lot to love about the team they're about to field. With Damon now a Ray, you can expect there might be some of our brave wounded around the Trop this upcoming season. If you see them be sure and thank them for the amazing work they've done.
Just like that, on a Friday night, the Tampa Bay Rays have dramatically changed the make-up of the team and the line up alike. They have brought in the veteran presence and respectability that few in baseball display like Johnny Damon. Then the Rays surprised many by bringing in another veteran presence that most describe as a lighthearted goofball who really doesn't get it.
I'd like to confirm the image of Johnny Damon and dispel the image of Manny Ramirez. While I'll admit that Manny has done things that you can't make excuses for, I'll also gladly portray myself in a honest and upfront way. Before you question if I'm a Manny apologist, I'll just go ahead and tell you, I am. I'm a Manny apologist and it's because of the Manny Ramirez you don't know.
