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Strain sidelines Manny: Ramirez says he may miss about 10 games-
 “I don’t think it’s going to be a couple of days, it’s more likely to be multiple days” that Ramirez will miss, manager Terry Francona said after last night’s 4-3 loss at Yankee Stadium. Ramirez told NESN before last night’s game that he thought he would miss approximately 10 games with the injury, and he also told The Associated Press that he guessed it would be around a week. The injury forced him out of Tuesday night’s series opener after he swung for a single in the sixth inning. [Full Story]

Manny gets some rest in Minny
 MINNEAPOLIS-- It was a tough call for Ramirez, who has sizzling career numbers against Twins starter Sidney Ponson -- a .404 average (19-for-47) with one homer and 11 RBIs.

"We went back and forth last night and today, and [Ramirez] finally said, 'Two days in a row would do me some good,'" Francona said. [Full Story] 

BOSTON -- The man who decided the game was Manny Ramirez, who had the breakout game he was due for, clubbing two homers, the latter of which snapped a 7-7 tie in the bottom of the eighth. Ramirez's game-winner -- a towering drive over the Boston bullpen in right-center -- was struck off Chris Reitsma

So while the dissection of Matsuzaka will continue in earnest leading up to his next start in Toronto on Wednesday, the talk of what is ailing Ramirez's lethal bat will fade into the background, just like the pair of laser beams the star left fielder belted into the Fenway night on Thursday. [Full Story]

Cora, Manny key comeback
 TORONTO -- But the road back began with one loud crack of Ramirez's big bat. The star slugger couldn't have picked a better time to hit his first homer of 2007. With the Sox down by two runs and Coco Crisp on second with two outs in the top of the eighth, Ramirez leveled a 2-0 pitch from Jays reliever Shaun Marcum and put it over the wall in center. Just like that, it was a 3-3 game.[ Full Story] 

Manny gets some rest in Minny
 MINNEAPOLIS-- It was a tough call for Ramirez, who has sizzling career numbers against Twins starter Sidney Ponson -- a .404 average (19-for-47) with one homer and 11 RBIs.

"We went back and forth last night and today, and [Ramirez] finally said, 'Two days in a row would do me some good,'" Francona said. [Full Story] 

- BOSTON -- The man who decided the game was Manny Ramirez, who had the breakout game he was due for, clubbing two homers, the latter of which snapped a 7-7 tie in the bottom of the eighth. Ramirez's game-winner -- a towering drive over the Boston bullpen in right-center -- was struck off Chris Reitsma

So while the dissection of Matsuzaka will continue in earnest leading up to his next start in Toronto on Wednesday, the talk of what is ailing Ramirez's lethal bat will fade into the background, just like the pair of laser beams the star left fielder belted into the Fenway night on Thursday. [Full Story]

Ramirez reports to Red Sox camp
FT MYERS, FL- The unpredictable slugger reported to Boston Red Sox camp Monday either late or early, depending on who's timing him. And he walked into a crowd of fans by accident after taking a wrong turn as he headed off for stretching.

"Manny reported early because he was ready to go. He's excited to be here in spring training," his agent, Greg Genske, said. "I do know that [Onelcida Ramirez] had very, very serious medical issues this offseason and that was the reason why Manny is reporting when he is." [Full Story]

Ramirez provides both offense and defense
- BOSTON -- “It was a great play,” Beckett said. “Manny is not a bad outfielder at all. He’s played this year like he wants to win a Gold Glove, and I think he has the talent to do that.” Said third baseman Mike Lowell: “People don’t expect that out of him because he’s so underrated as an outfielder. He reads balls so well and he throws as straight a ball of any outfielder I’ve seen.”
    Ramirez’ home run was his 25th of the season, 460th of his career and 224th as a Red Sox, moving him past Bobby Doerr and into sixth place on the club’s all-time home list. Mo Vaughn is in fifth place with 230 homers.
[Full Story]

Manny achieves milestone
 MIAMI -- Needing just one hit to reach No. 2,000, Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez raked a tasty offering from Brian Moehler in the top of the first and put it over the wall in right field for a three-run homer.[ Full Story] 

Ramirez declines All-Star selection
 Slugger will rest sore right knee over break Chicago-- Red Sox manager Terry Francona has been the most public advocate of Ramirez not participating in the All-Star Game and had discussed the matter at length with general manager Theo Epstein. [Full Story] 

Ramirez sits with sore knee
- ATLANTA 6/17/06 -- Red Sox manager Terry Francona typically doesn't converse with superstar sluggers Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz at 8 a.m. ET, but on Saturday it was a necessity.

Ramirez woke up with a balky right knee, and immediately called Francona. The manager, who had originally told Ortiz that he'd be out of Saturday's lineup, quickly called the left-handed masher. [Full Story]

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Manny's Off Season Days
I still remember Boone's shot against Wakefield; I will never forget it. At that moment, I just thought about how long it would be before the Red Sox got back on the field. But spring training came and went, and of course, not only is the 2004 baseball season in full gear, but we've already taken the first series against the Yankees. Like most fans, I focus on how my team is doing, what's happening on the field. So for a change, I had the pleasure to sit with Manny and asked him about his off-season.

You may have heard about Manny's hard work during the season, at times getting to the ball park 3 hours before the team to work on his hitting. But most don't know how intensely he works during the off-season.

As Manny explained, "Baseball is not easy. If you're not in shape, you can't be ready to do a good job... If you don't get to spring training in shape, you have more chance to injure your muscles."

Manny began training 10 days after the end of the season; that was his vacation. "I train with a personal trainer at the Institute of Human Performance, in Boca Raton, Florida. The gym is about 1 hour from my house... I start my workout at 7:00 AM. That means I have to be up at 5:30 AM. I only have chance for a protein shake at that time." The sessions last until 9:00 AM, and then he eats breakfast.

Manny works very hard, pushing his body to new limits. When asked why, he laughed and said "The competition is too strong, and every year we get older... If you want to keep playing at a high level, you have to work hard."

As one listens to Manny talk about baseball and how he strives to become a better player, one comprehends baseball is his life. He simply loves the game. "When I was small, I felt happy when I got to the park. You will not believe it, but the same thing still happens to me. Every time I'm putting on my uniform I get excited.. But even during the season I work out early before the games." The work never stops for Manny.

Another dimension of his physical preparation is his diet. He has to eat properly for the training to take proper effect. "If you don't eat right, your muscles will not get stronger, and you will be very tired the next day... I love to eat, so when I eat more than what I'm supposed to, I work overtime to burn the extra calories. But I usually control myself," explained Manny.

The season is in full swing. The Red Sox are doing well. The pitching is looking good. The hitting is on target, and yes, we took the first round against the Yankees. Manny is hitting the ball hard and his average is 362, after 14 games. He's an outstanding player, whom we've gotten used to seeing excel as a hitter. Now I know, he does a lot behind the scenes to achieve his best performance at the plate and on the field.

May God bless him always and may he have another outstanding year.

by Carlos Diaz