On May 26, Héctor Gómez, director of communications for Ministerio Deportes (the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Sports) posted a video of Manny Ramirez hitting to his X account with a quote from the famed slugger:
“I’m available to work as a hitting coach for any of the 30 MLB teams. I’m confident I can help any team significantly improve their offense.”
On Monday, the famed slugger and 2004 World Series MVP got a glowing endorsement from a fellow Red Sox legend.
“I saw it,” David Ortiz said of Gómez’s post. “Manny is one of the most, one of the smartest person that I have in my life when it comes down to teaching people how to hit.”
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Ortiz, who was hosting his annual celebrity golf tournament for his foundation, the David Ortiz Children’ s Fund, recalled having “magnificent” conversations about hitting with his longtime teammate.
“Manny helped me out so much, to fix my mechanics, to slow down on pitchers,” the Hall of Famer recalled. “He’s a master. He’s a genius.”
Ramirez’s 19-year MLB career included 12 All-Star seasons, nine Silver Slugger awards, the batting title with the 2002 Red Sox, and World Series championships in ‘04 and ‘07. He led the majors with 165 RBI in ‘99, and outpaced the rest of the American League with 43 home runs in ‘04.
“I tell you what,” Ortiz continued, “if I’m an organization that wanna teach the young blood how to stay put, how to learn how to hit, Manny is the perfect fit. He loves it, he loves teaching. I mean, you can see the videos that he posts. And that’s what the game needs nowadays, to be honest with you.”
A perfect fit for any organization, with one notable, pinstriped exception.
“No, don’t go there, Manny!” Ortiz said of the New York Yankees.
