MLB

Rays sit struggling Ramirez

NewsCore NEWSCORE
Share This Story

Updated Apr 6, 2011 5:24 PM ET
     
 

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.

Tampa Bay Rays struggling slugger Manny Ramirez was pulled from the team's starting lineup Wednesday against the Angels, MLB.com reported.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said he opted to give the 12-time All-Star a break because he believes Ramirez is trying too hard to produce in his first year as Tampa's designated hitter.

Manny Ramirez

MANNY BEING MANNY

Manny Ramirez has been one of the most polarizing figures in sports. Check out his career-best antics.

"I know it's early in the season, but I still think he's pressing a bit," Maddon said. "I really think he's trying to carry too much of this load right now. I want him to understand that I'm seeing that, that I think he's trying way too hard. All I want him to do is his part, nobody else's part, that we all can take care of ourselves here.

"I just believe he's trying to shoulder too much of the burden right now, and I don't want him to do that."

Ramirez, who Maddon said will also miss Thursday's game in Chicago due to personal reasons, has just one hit in 16 at-bats this season. The 18-year veteran has consistently been one of the baseball's best hitters with a .312 career average.

"With guys like him, I think we forget," Maddon said. "It's not easy to be him sometimes. He's not a potential Hall of Famer — he will be a Hall of Famer. He's in the latter part of his career, so you're going to have different kind of moments, mentally.

Ramirez, 38, ranks 14th in Major League history with 555 home runs. He has accumulated 2,574 hits and 1,831 RBIs during his remarkable career mostly with the Indians and Red Sox.

Rays at a glance

 
Tampa Bay Rays
Looking for the latest on the Rays? Get the schedule, scores, standings and more right here.
 

"I've been around players like that in the past, and I think at some point it takes a different understanding from whomever's working with them," the Rays' skipper added. "From me to him, I just want him to understand that I do know what he's going through, and I want to help him out."

Read more here.

Tagged: Rays, Manny Ramirez
Play Baseball Hot Streak and Win Prizes!

Related Stories

Member Comments

Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.

powered by
Baseball Hot Streak


Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

MLB Videos

Rosenthal: MLB on FOX preview Posted: May 24, 2013
Ken Rosenthal previews this weekend's MLB on FOX matchups.

Santana on losing to his old team Posted: May 24, 2013
Ervin Santana reacts after a disappointing loss to the Angels.

Hot Corner: Young talent abounds Posted: May 23, 2013
Ken Rosenthal takes a look at MLB's influx of young talent this season, includin...

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »
SimLeague Baseball - Simulation Baseball Game

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Nike New York Yankees Practice T-Shirt - Ash http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Yankees/browse/featuredproduct/606363/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_606000/ff_606363_xl.jpg&w=100 27.95 Nike New York Yankees Practice T-Shirt - Ash
    Majestic Detroit Tigers 2012 MLB American League Champions Clubhouse Locker Room T-Shirt - Navy Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Detroit_Tigers/browse/featuredproduct/1064043/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1064000/ff_1064043_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Majestic Detroit Tigers 2012 MLB American League Champions Clubhouse Locker Room..
    Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker Room T-Shirt - Gray http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/1067359/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1067000/ff_1067359_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker R..
    Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker Room Pullover Hoodie - Steel http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/1067382/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1067000/ff_1067382_xl.jpg&w=100 54.95 Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker R..
    New Era San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker Room 39THIRTY Flex Hat - Charcoal/Black http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/1067785/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1067000/ff_1067785_xl.jpg&w=100 31.95 New Era San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker Ro..
    Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Glory T-Shirt - Black http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/1068294/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1068000/ff_1068294_xl.jpg&w=100 21.95 Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Glory T-Shirt - Bl..
    Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Batting Practice Performance Jersey - Black/Orange http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/1068787/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1068000/ff_1068787_xl.jpg&w=100 94.95 Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Batting Practice P..
Microsoft© 2013 Microsoft