May 15, 2008

A dazzling Manny being Manny moment : I saw this on ESPN this morning and burst out laughing as soon as I saw the high-five. There are few players who could get away with doing something like that.

read story | posted by crqri to Baseball at 11:18 AM CDT (44 comments total)

I saw this play and I too was in amazement. I have never seen anything like what Manny did but I must admit, it was awesome!!! People make such a big deal about professional athletes getting paid millions of dollars but Manny is a classic example of a professional athlete that's just having fun out there.

posted by BornIcon at 11:28 AM CDT on May 15

Damn, crqri, you beat me to it! I was just gonna post that. That's the coolest play I've seen in a long time.

Manny has made one hell of a turnaround as a fielder this year. He must have worked out like a madman in the offseason, and it shows. He's a genuine pleasure to watch.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 11:46 AM CDT on May 15

Guess he meant it when he said he wants a Gold Glove

posted by kokaku at 11:49 AM CDT on May 15

Here's the video.

posted by holden at 12:31 PM CDT on May 15

And doubles the guy off first!!! Saw it on the highlight reels and it ranks up there...

posted by lpaulson at 12:53 PM CDT on May 15

Can't get holden's video to work, but here's another one that shows reaction from players viewing the play in the dugout plus a recreation by manny for ortiz. Also here's some more pictures.

Also, I love manny.

posted by justgary at 12:55 PM CDT on May 15

The guy in the stands is lucky he didn't have a beer or a dog in his hands or Manny might have grabbed it before he made the double play throw. You can't beat fun at the old ballpark.

posted by Shotput at 1:22 PM CDT on May 15

That's awesome. Hehe.

posted by worldcup2002 at 1:58 PM CDT on May 15

Yeah, Manny's got more talent in some ways than any ballpark can hold. That's partly because he's really good at most of the aspects of the game, and partly because he's completely batshit fucking insane.

I mean that in the best possible way, of course.

posted by chicobangs at 3:09 PM CDT on May 15

Manny is the new Rickey.
Massively talented, crazy as a loon, supremely entertaining.

posted by grum@work at 3:57 PM CDT on May 15

God that's wicked. I mean, that guy is one of the best righthanded hitters of all time, right there.

But if he wins a Gold Glove, they should blow up the Rawlings factory.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 4:49 PM CDT on May 15

Eh, I'll be impressed when he does it at Fenway.

posted by Ufez Jones at 5:26 PM CDT on May 15

awesome

posted by Monica Poland at 6:07 PM CDT on May 15

Yeah, Manny's got more talent in some ways than any ballpark can hold.

Great statement. I think the game is just so easy for Manny at times, but his personality is so opposite the other players of his caliber. He doesn't seem to retreat to the dark pursuit of being perfect, looking for that edge and smelling his own ass in the way other players have in recent years.

Yes, it's a contract year - but I think he's just swinging the bat and playing the game as much as it is contractual motivation.

For reference of how far Manny had fallen out of favor, this was Baseball Prospectus' projection for 2008.

.281 AVG 74 R 22 HR 89 RBI

posted by YukonGold at 6:29 PM CDT on May 15

That's just cool. Manny being Manny. I've gotta show the kids this. That's the stuff that you tell you're kids, and they tell their kids and so on. Nice and refreshing to see baseball be fun for the pros.

posted by THX-1138 at 6:51 PM CDT on May 15

The high five was cool and it was a good catch, but dazzling? Amazing? Any MLB left fielder should make that catch, Manny just made it exciting by turning the wrong way. Let's say he didn't get the ball back to the cut-off in time to double the runner off, then what. "Oh, sorry coach, I would've just thrown it back in but I had to high-five a cute guy in the stands."

I like Manny, and I'd love to have him on my team. I wouldn't want him to change the way he plays one bit, but the whole scenario could've been on a blooper reel, lucky for Manny that the runners mis-read the ball too.

posted by BoKnows at 6:54 PM CDT on May 15

Too many players think it's just a job, but Manny has not forgotten that it's only a game, a place for average Joe to go and forget the trials of life . All I can say is, "Thanks Manny!" That made my day!

posted by jknemo at 9:45 PM CDT on May 15

Manny's reaction:

I think that’s how you get your All-Star vote. I’m pretty sure that guy’s going to vote for me. One at a time, that’s how it’s going to happen.

-----------------
The high five was cool and it was a good catch, but dazzling? Amazing? Any MLB left fielder should make that catch, Manny just made it exciting by turning the wrong way. Let's say he didn't get the ball back to the cut-off in time to double the runner off, then what. "Oh, sorry coach, I would've just thrown it back in but I had to high-five a cute guy in the stands.

I haven't really seen any claims that the catch was amazing. The post title says "dazzling manny being manny moment". There were probably better catches that day.

That said, the whole play is amazing in the sense that I doubt it's ever been done before and probably won't be again. Would every left fielder make that catch? Maybe, but I see far easier catches screwed up often. It was a good catch, and by manny's standards, a very good catch. The throw was also spot on. No way does damon make that throw.

He climbed the wall to stop. He does that all the time. I think the high 5 was spur of the moment. It was made within the momentum of the play.

but the whole scenario could've been on a blooper reel, lucky for Manny that the runners mis-read the ball too.

You've lost me further here. Every play could be on a blooper reel. And how is manny lucky? No luckier than any fielder that doubles a runner off.

I also don't get how manny turned the wrong way. From every replay I've seen he turns the correct way. He almost over runs it and has to reach back.

posted by justgary at 1:39 AM CDT on May 16

Bo, I see where you are coming from, but I think the part that has captured everyone's collective imagination if you will, is that it was a completely spontaneous Manny moment. He didn't plan any of that. It just happened. And it is absolutely true to his character. He was excited about the catch, saw a Sox fan right there and gave him a high-five, and still made the throw. I've never seen it before and if I ever see it again, it will seem derivitive. One of those instances where one should buy into all the Field of Dreams baseball magic hoo-ha. It was one of those magical baseball moments.

It's not going to change the game. It may very well be forgotten in a week. But there was something pure about it. And I think that is what the whole Manny being Manny appeal is. When Ramirez is expressing his joy of the game, he becomes almost innocent. Even to the point sometimes of being distracted on more than one occaision in the outfield. Just like a kid. There are other sides to Manny's character, I know. But there were other sides to the Babe and Lou Gehrig. And Ted Williams. It was the obvious love of the game that seemed to make up for any personal flaws that might tarnish their reputation in the public eye. It's one of those things that goes beyond the stats and the rule books. It's fun.

posted by THX-1138 at 1:43 AM CDT on May 16

It may very well be forgotten in a week.

No way. It's going to be on every manny highlight reel you'll ever see. At least among sox fans it's going to be talked about for a long time.

posted by justgary at 1:53 AM CDT on May 16

Sorry, but Ankiel had a genuine "great catch" for the Cardinals last night against the Pirates.

posted by cardsfan at 2:01 AM CDT on May 16

Sorry, but Ankiel had a genuine "great catch" for the Cardinals last night against the Pirates.

Honestly, if you think the post/topic is about a great catch you should read more carefully.

posted by justgary at 2:08 AM CDT on May 16

Here's a video collection of manny being manny.

Here's an interview with the guy who was the recipient of the high five.

posted by justgary at 3:30 AM CDT on May 16

Let's say he didn't get the ball back to the cut-off in time to double the runner off, then what. "Oh, sorry coach, I would've just thrown it back in but I had to high-five a cute guy in the stands."

Your completely missing the point since he did make the catch and also threw the ball to the cut off man who relayed the throw to 1st to catch the runner for the double play. It was a play that define Manny as being a free-spirited, spontaneous individual who loves the game and who also wants to entertain the fans and in that respect, Manny was very successful.

Sorry, but Ankiel had a genuine "great catch" for the Cardinals last night against the Pirates.
posted by cardsfan

Umm, and did he also climb the wall and spur of the moment decide to high five a Cards fan? I'm by no means a Red Sox fan but by the name you're going by, I can tell that your opinion is baised. Ankeil has shown to be a pretty decent outfielder with an accurate arm but this post is not about just making a catch. Maybe you should re-read the post.

posted by BornIcon at 5:27 AM CDT on May 16

Let's say he didn't get the ball back to the cut-off in time to double the runner off, then what

Then they would have sent the training staff out to see why Manny collapsed and died. Given his defensive reputation, the runners took off on contact and never looked back. He could have had a sip of the guy's drink and signed an autograph and still had time to double someone off.

posted by yerfatma at 7:08 AM CDT on May 16

What a kid... A lot of people don't understand the guy, but he is out there having a blast playing a game... Yes they are high paid guys, but he plays it as a game and has fun... Way to go Manny... Thanks for showing people that it is a game....

posted by bruce2ww at 8:31 AM CDT on May 16

Call off the wolves, gees, I figured I'd get attacked for not sucking Manny's nuts because of that play. I said it was a good catch, I said the high five was cool, and I said I liked Manny, I just think it was risky.

posted by BoKnows at 8:32 AM CDT on May 16

It's not going to change the game. It may very well be forgotten in a week.

I have no doubt that kids are going to be trying this sort of thing in Little League, and probably getting in trouble with their coaches. When I was a kid, it was the slapping your leg a la Rickey Henderson.

Manny's reaction:

I think that’s how you get your All-Star vote. I’m pretty sure that guy’s going to vote for me. One at a time, that’s how it’s going to happen.

That cracks me up.

posted by bperk at 8:33 AM CDT on May 16

To be honest, that catch was not all that outstanding. The high-five, sure, but the catch was unspectacular. Don't get me wrong, it was a good play, but a solid outfielder makes that play look easy and SportsCenter every night shows a top 10 reel with at least 7 dives that are more impressive or acrobatic. The real question here is, what the hell was Markakis doing so far off first base?

posted by Chargdres at 8:44 AM CDT on May 16

Call off the wolves....I figured I'd get attacked for not sucking Manny's nuts

Bo knows nuts

posted by BornIcon at 8:56 AM CDT on May 16

And how is manny lucky?

Why the lowercase "mannys" justgary?

I said he was lucky because if the runner at first had been paying attention he would not have gotten doubled off. Then who knows what happens in the inning.

I also don't get how manny turned the wrong way.

You said it better, he almost over ran it and had to reach back. It was a good play, no doubt, but not dazzling. (And yes, I understand that the high five was the dazzling part, whatever.) I'm a tough sell on this one.

Bo knows nuts

Thanks, BI. Honey Roasted Peanuts are my favorite.

posted by BoKnows at 9:15 AM CDT on May 16

Thanks, BI. Honey Roasted Peanuts are my favorite

My favourite as well.

Mmmmmmmmm, nuts.

posted by BornIcon at 9:33 AM CDT on May 16

Hilarious. I've always liked Manny, who looks like an unmade bed running around in his uniform, but now I think, well, I think I love him. I must have around 50 of his Topps rookie card because I got freaky obsessive over that year's cards.

posted by rcade at 9:57 AM CDT on May 16

Here's a Q&A with the "slap four" recipient.

posted by yerfatma at 10:24 AM CDT on May 16

I must have around 50 of his Topps rookie card because I got freaky obsessive over that year's cards

I'll trade you a Manny rookie card for a Barry Bonds rookie card that says Bobby Bonds on it, a lock of Jose Canseco's hair and a Roger Clemens "B-12" syringe signed my Brian McNamee. Interested?

posted by BornIcon at 10:25 AM CDT on May 16

Eh, I'll be impressed when he does it at Fenway.

Here's how the scenario might go:

At the crack of the bat, Manny turns and runs to the wall, and disappears through the door leading to the area behind the wall. Within fractions of a second, a figure in blue tights with a large, red S on his chest appears. He quickly catches the ball (barehanded), then leaps the 37 feet to the top of the wall. Once there, he high-fives the entire first row of the monster seats, then FLIES to the infield and tags the runner out between first and second, thus becoming the first outfielder in years to complete an unassisted double play. After this, he disappears into the dugout, and emerges in his uniform as Manny.

Let's face it. The guy can do anything!

posted by Howard_T at 10:44 AM CDT on May 16

He looks less like an unmade bed than he did last year. With the way he slimmed down, can you imagine what he'd look like if he was running around in last year's uniform?

posted by lil_brown_bat at 10:45 AM CDT on May 16

Throw in Luis Gonzalez' masticated gum and you've got a deal, Icon.

posted by rcade at 10:46 AM CDT on May 16

Call off the wolves, gees, I figured I'd get attacked for not sucking Manny's nuts because of that play.

Naa, I love me some manny but I'd be the first to criticize him if needed. He's done plenty that makes me shake my head. This just isn't one of them.

O.K. it made me shake my head but in a good way.

posted by justgary at 12:30 PM CDT on May 16

Let's face it. The guy can do anything!

Howard_T, that comment as a whole is now my main argument that we should be allowed to flag certain comments in Sportsfilter as "Awesome."

posted by Joey Michaels at 3:21 PM CDT on May 16

He's still kind of an unmade bed.

posted by jerseygirl at 5:14 PM CDT on May 16

He's still kind of an unmade bed.

So was Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh, but he made the bigs.

posted by smithnyiu at 9:13 AM CDT on May 17

good individual effort, but total team effort not quite there! show praise to a play thats a game changer first and foremost , and then I'll agree whether it is a great play or not!

posted by rutbuster at 1:52 PM CDT on May 18

good individual effort, but total team effort not quite there!

How do you figure? Three fielders were involved in that play, and they all did what they needed to do. I thought the cutoff in particular was perfect.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 7:37 AM CDT on May 19

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