In a candid interview, Major League Baseball icon Manny Ramirez offered a fresh perspective on his early baseball fandom, the legendary Boston-New York rivalry, and his deep admiration for both his peers and the game’s greatest hitters.
A Blue Jays Fan in Yankee Country
Despite growing up just 10 minutes from Yankee Stadium in Washington Heights, New York—a neighborhood famously steeped in Yankees tradition—Ramirez developed a surprising allegiance as a child.
“It’s a long story,” Ramirez laughed. “Being Dominican and being from Washington Heights and watching the [Toronto] Blue Jays have all of the Dominican players, you’ve GOT to be a fan!” He explained that the presence of Dominican heroes like George Bell and Tony Fernández on the Blue Jays roster was an irresistible draw.
While his father would take him to the stadium as a kid, his path soon led him to play for the rivaled and often-hated Boston Red Sox.
The Red Sox-Yankees Rivalry: More Hype, Less Hate
Ramirez became a central figure in one of sports’ most intense rivalries, facing the New York Yankees and its captain, Derek Jeter, countless times. Yet, he insists the animosity was largely overblown by the media.
“To be honest, I never looked at it that way. I was just playing the game and having fun and I just loved to compete,” he said, downplaying the legendary feud.
In fact, he recalls seeing his rivals after the games. “We didn’t dislike them. Because I remember after the games, we would be at a restaurant and they’d come up to us or we’d go over to them. I think that everything was just hyped.”
For Ramirez, the focus was purely on the competition. “When we got in those lines, we just wanted to compete… After the game we’ll say hi to everybody from the Yankees… I don’t have no ego. I’m from New York and I play for Boston and let’s go out there and compete and let the best team win—that’s what the game is all about.”
A-Rod, Jeter, and a Mutual Push to Greatness
Ramirez shared his admiration for his competitors, particularly Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter. He first met A-Rod when Ramirez was with the Cleveland Indians and Rodriguez was with the Seattle Mariners, saying they would “say hi and bump into each other.”
When A-Rod joined the Yankees, the friendly relationship continued. “Let me tell you, I am a big fan of Alex. I used to love how his leg kicks [at bat] and all the mechanics and I was always watching film of him.”
He credited the fierce competition with the Yankees as a key driver for his own success.
“Once you’re facing those guys, they never give up,” he noted. “Watching him play and watching Alex and stuff like that, he gave me another height for being on the same level that they were.”
“The BEST Left-Handed Hitter EVER”
Speaking on his longtime Red Sox teammate, David “Big Papi” Ortiz, who was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame, Ramirez was effusive with praise.
“That was awesome!” Ramirez exclaimed about Ortiz’s Hall of Fame induction. “It makes me feel happy because he did it the right way.”
He spoke of Ortiz’s “big heart” and being a “great teammate,” but when asked when he knew Ortiz was truly “legit,” Ramirez pointed to their second year together after Ortiz joined the Red Sox from the Minnesota Twins.
“Then, I saw how everything was clicking… it was ‘game over’ after that. My opinion is that he’s the BEST left-handed hitter EVER.”
Ramirez also paid tribute to Ken Griffey Jr., an idol who “opened the door for us a lot to be in the big leagues” and whose relaxed “swag” and smooth swing served as inspiration.
Legacy: Family First
When asked how he wants to be remembered, Ramirez shifted the focus entirely away from baseball accolades.
“I want to be remembered for being there for my son. My family first, then baseball,” he stated firmly. “I love my son more than baseball. Baseball is going to come and go for you, but you’re going to be a father forever.”
For his career, he singled out two organizations he appreciated most: “First, being a Boston Red Sox. And the second, being a L.A. Dodger. They are ICONIC organizations man… and it was a blessing for me to just be there.” However, when pressed on where he ultimately sees himself, he laughed and declared, “I see myself as a Red Sox.”
Finally, Ramirez spoke passionately about a controversial figure in the sport: Barry Bonds. “Why not! He’s the BEST player ever! Why not?” He argued that baseball is “making a mistake” by excluding Bonds from the Hall of Fame, calling it a “shame” to deny the game’s greatest player his rightful place.
