Manny, Manny, Manny -- the records keep coming
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Manny Ramirez is hitting, not talking. He’s not even talking about his hitting, which is almost as impressive as when he first arrived as a Dodger.
Of course, back then, both his hitting and talking were impressive.
But for a guy who turns 38 next month, Manny looks very comfortable at the plate. Looks like a guy whose confidence is again growing, following last season’s disappointing second half.
And are you ready for this: Manny Ramirez, batting champion.
It could happen. He’s already won one batting title -- in 2002 when he hit .349 for the Red Sox.
Because of his 548 career home runs, Manny is normally viewed as a power hitter. But he also hits extremely well for average. He has a career .313 mark and has finished in the top 10 five different times.
He went 3-for-4 Wednesday in the Dodgers’ 14-6 blowout victory over the Reds, raising his current average to .421. He trails only Washington’s Ivan Rodriguez, who’s at .444.
Yeah, it’s a tad ridiculous to be thinking about batting titles after 14 games, but with Manny, it’s at least worth noting.
Particularly because it’s part of his strong start. Every week he seems to be posting some historic career number.
Wednesday, it was RBI. His two against the Reds gave him 1,800 for his career. He’s one of only 19 players in major-league history to reach the mark.
Rank Player RBI Bats
1. Hank Aaron 2,297 R
2. Babe Ruth 2,213 L
3. Cap Anson 2,075 R
4. Barry Bonds 1,996 L
5. Lou Gehrig 1,995 L
6. Stan Musial 1,951 L
7. Ty Cobb 1,938 L
8. Jimmie Foxx 1,922 R
9. Eddie Murray 1,917 S
10. Willie Mays 1,903 R
11. Mel Ott 1,860 L
12. Carl Yastrzemski 1,844 L
13. Ted Williams 1,839 L
14. Rafael Palmeiro 1,835 L
15. Dave Winfield 1,833 R
16. Ken Griffey Jr. 1,832 L
17. Al Simmons 1,827 R
18. Frank Robinson 1,812 R
19. Manny Ramirez 1,800 R
20. Honus Wagner 1,733 R
21. Alex Rodriguez 1,726 R
If he has a big season, he could leap-frog some legendary names and even pass Willie Mays to crack the top 10.
Earlier this season, he reached the 2,500-hit plateau and tied Mike Schmidt for 14th on the all-time home run list.
Manny has a semi-modest, for him, two home runs, but he is definitely hitting. Hitting well enough to have others talking about it.
-- Steve Dilbeck