Is it just me ?

[Bud-n-Texas]

I am not the fan of baseball that I used to be and Many Ramirez is a prime example of what is wrong with MLB as well as many other pro sports. I am watching the game and am disgusted that a supposed pro athlete presents himself in such a slouchy manner. A uniform that is at least 2 sizes too large, a batting helmet that is absolutely filthy, not to mention his doo-rag. He is a disgrace by his appearance, no matter his abilities.

 

[The Reno Kid]

It's not just you.

 

[Bud-n-Texas]

Why would a manager or an owner for that manner allow someone to represent their team in such a disgraceful manner?

 

[Josephine]

Do you remember the uproar there was when in 2006 the NBA said the players had to wear suits? I don't care how much money you make/how artistic you are, you still need to dress appropriately. :rage:

 

[LizzieMaine]

I'm a lifelong Sox fan, and I think Manny desperately needs to get a decent haircut and a uniform that fits. He should take a hint from Jason Varitek, who always looks sharp and squared-away on the field.

Manny isnt the only offender though. This whole trend of baseball players wearing their pants hanging down their ankles with the elastic cut out is really tiresome. A team called the "Red Sox" should be required to *show* its socks.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

It's just Manny being Manny. He is a modern sports personality and that is his thing. I am not offended by it.

Go Sox!

 

[Twitch]

I have never been sports fan with the exception of motor sports but for the most part I simply can't identify watching "ball games" of any kind where literally all of the participants are millionaires. It didn't use to be this way but the absolute greed exhibited from all sides in professional sports is so shameful that the way some schmuck player looks is so minor as to be insignificant.

Pro sports has been perverted and exploited in its present "business" form. Owners in the ancient past weren't interested principally profit. Rich guys owned teams as a hobby or even a tax write off. Then things changed and the collusion with city planners who figured 1/2 billion dollar venues would make tax money coupled with higher tickets, parking, concessions and all.

I never watched millionaires play polo nor did I hang out with them. So as for today's pro-sports millionaires I have no interest in perpetuating their or the owners' lifestyle by purchase a ticket or even viewing a game on TV.

They have completely ruined the games our ancestors enjoyed in the Golden Era.

Wouldn't

if they were on fire.

 

[Bud-n-Texas]

Twitch, you are so right, very few players seem to play for the love of the game. I can not say all, but I believe a large majority fall into your assessment. I still contend that a true profesional should look like a pro, not some street punk.

I think it is noteworthy, that Manny got thrown out at the plate, because he took just a spit second to knock his helmet off while rounding third. If he is so proud of that doo-rag, then why not just wear it all the time?

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

I have never been sports fan with the exception of motor sports but for the most part I simply can't identify watching "ball games" of any kind where literally all of the participants are millionaires. It didn't use to be this way but the absolute greed exhibited from all sides in professional sports is so shameful that the way some schmuck player looks is so minor as to be insignificant.

Pro sports has been perverted and exploited in its present "business" form. Owners in the ancient past weren't interested principally profit. Rich guys owned teams as a hobby or even a tax write off. Then things changed and the collusion with city planners who figured 1/2 billion dollar venues would make tax money coupled with higher tickets, parking, concessions and all.

I never watched millionaires play polo nor did I hang out with them. So as for today's pro-sports millionaires I have no interest in perpetuating their or the owners' lifestyle by purchase a ticket or even viewing a game on TV.

They have completely ruined the games our ancestors enjoyed in the Golden Era.

Wouldn't

if they were on fire.

My sentiments exactly! :eusa_clap
Manny used to play for the Indians, until he became a self-centered super-star. Most of these so-called "heroes" wouldn't even live in a city like Cleveland, and actually I'm glad they don't.
I figure,...if the "heroes" won't support the city they play for and the fans that support them, why should anyone really give a hoot? I have plenty of more worthwhile pursuits.

 

[imoldfashioned]

I'm dashing out the door and I can't find the other Red Sox thread but I had to mention--I'm in San Francisco at a conference and I had to go to a "welcome to the conference cocktail party" with a bunch of Bostonians last night. We're in some ritzy hotel, all dressed up and folks are going around describing their research--with the television tuned to the game and muted!

"I'm xyz, and I've been conducting a study of high-school aged...RUN! RUN!! Yeah! 6-0! 6-0!!!!"

Completely bizarre (and funny).

Also, another one who thinks Manny should clean up.

 

[Viola]

Aren't baseball players looking like slobs a vintage style? Spitting tobacco, kinda slouchy, generally grungy?

I don't think anybody ever mixed up Clark Gable and Babe Ruth.

 

[Jovan]

Well the whole "manly" tobacco chewing thing has hardly changed over the decades. But Babe Ruth at least kept himself groomed fairly well in all the pictures I've seen, and his clothes were just loose enough to play effectively. (The way they're supposed to be in any sport.) I don't think you can compare Manny to him in appearance. Now, their attitude may be similar, however...

For the record, I don't really watch baseball. So take my opinion with a grain of salt if you all want.

 

[The Reno Kid]

It's a good thing Sparky Anderson is still alive or he would be spinning in his grave! When he was managing the Reds and the Tigers back in the 70s and 80s, he required all his players to be well dressed and well groomed. He didn't even allow facial hair. It became almost a trademark with his teams. It was always interesting to watch the Reds battle the A's in the early 70s. The Reds looked like guys you wanted your daughter to marry while the A's looked like the guys your daughter would run away with on a Harley... I personally admired Sparky for upholding a standard.

There's an ongoing debate as to whether athletes should be role models. In my opinion it's a meaningless point. They are role models, whether they want to be or not. It goes with the territory. Kids look up to these guys. It would be nice to see more of them set a good example.

 

[Jovan]

Truer words were never spoken, Reno Kid. It's an unfortunate thing that so many movie stars, pop singers, and athletes these days don't realize that if they are even somewhat well known, there will be young people who look up to them. That's what young people do! They should at least try to set a good example when the camera's on them, regardless of how virtuous they are in their personal, off camera life. Many of them ARE actors in the truest sense after all.

The facial hair is debatable. I think as long as it is well trimmed and professional looking, they can still look like guys girls would take home to their parents. But I'm getting off topic. You're right, the fact that he is even setting standards is a good thing. When you play for a team, no matter what little a role you have, you are a representative. The same is true for any acting troupe, any band, any choir group, etc. And nobody likes the guy who makes everyone else look bad -- point in case, the man this thread was started about.

 

[dhermann1]

For some reason Manny doesn't bother me. I think he looks ludicrous, but he's a hell of a player. And he's made a couple of great catches out there. In fairness, the helmet is all nasty because many players put pine tar on it. They just reach up to the helmet to get a gob of pine tar to help them tighten their grip on the bat. It's a very common practice. But he did look like a high speed circus parade coming into home plate last night. lol

 

[Jovan]

Well, here I was assuming Manny had some other bad habits besides his appearance by the way people were talking about him...

 

[LizzieMaine]

A lot of us here in Sox Nation think the whole "Manny being Manny" thing has gone too far -- he's been allowed to get away with ridiculous things like going inside the scoreboard to relieve himself when he's supposed to be playing left field, or his whole "trade me, don't trade me, trade me, oh, don't trade me" spiel. His hotdogging on the field doesn't sit well with we flinty old-school New England folks, either. Just hit the homers, Manny -- we don't need to see you stand there and *admire* them.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I think Manny Ramirez needs a make-over. A George Steinbrenner make-over!
If Manny Ramirez was traded to the Yankees then he'd have to abide by Steinbrenner's strict standards.

Just take a look at Johnny Damon.
You have to admit that since Damon left the Boston for the Bronx,

He's has been transformed from Slob to a NY City Slicker.

 

[Bud-n-Texas]

For some reason Manny doesn't bother me. I think he looks ludicrous, but he's a hell of a player. And he's made a couple of great catches out there. In fairness, the helmet is all nasty because many players put pine tar on it. They just reach up to the helmet to get a gob of pine tar to help them tighten their grip on the bat. It's a very common practice. But he did look like a high speed circus parade coming into home plate last night. lol

I played my share of baseball through the years and am fully aware of what pine tar is and what it is used for. I found that it helped to put it on my hands or the bat, but am curious how putting it on my hat would have helped. It appears that he must be supplying both teams with pine tar, as I have not seen any of the others sporting it on their hats.

 

[Jovan]

A lot of us here in Sox Nation think the whole "Manny being Manny" thing has gone too far -- he's been allowed to get away with ridiculous things like going inside the scoreboard to relieve himself when he's supposed to be playing left field, or his whole "trade me, don't trade me, trade me, oh, don't trade me" spiel. His hotdogging on the field doesn't sit well with we flinty old-school New England folks, either. Just hit the homers, Manny -- we don't need to see you stand there and *admire* them.

I guess that answers my question! lol He's definitely not setting a good example for the kiddies in that case.