Red Sox Features On wbztv.com
Feb 21, 2008 12:22 pm US/Eastern
Manny Ramirez: 'I Want To Stay In Boston'
FORT MYERS, Fla. (WBZ) ―
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Manny Ramirez talks to the media at Red Sox Spring Training In Fort Myers, Florida on February 21, 2008.
WBZ
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Manny Ramirez at Red Sox Spring Training In Fort Myers, Florida on February 21, 2008.
WBZ
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Manny Ramirez in the batting cage at Red Sox Spring Training in Fort Myers, Florida on February 21, 2008.
WBZ
WBZ's Dan Roche says Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez "wants to stay in Boston."
"I want to finish my career here," Ramirez said, "but it's up to them. So if that doesn't happen, hey, I'll go and play somewhere else. I know I still can play. What else can I say? It's up to them. I'm not the one who writes the checks." Ramirez arrived for Spring Training in Fort Myers, Florida on Wednesday. Thursday he spoke to the media, took a physical, hit in the batting cage and played catch.
Manny was in a good mood and answered questions for about five minutes. Roche says He talked about winning two World Series and that rings mean more to him than numbers.
When asked about his contract Manny indicated that he wanted to stay in Boston and that the Red Sox have the options on his contract after this year.
"I want to stay here, but it's up to them if they want to bring me," Ramirez said. "But if they don't want to bring me back, that's fine. I know I'll be a free agent after '08 so that's another thing that I'm looking forward (to)."
Ramirez is in the last year of an eight-year contract. Beyond that, the team has options for the next two seasons at $20 million each.Manny also said he has no plans to talk to the team about a new contract, and that he is just going to go out and play.
"It's up to them to say, `OK, we're going take (the option). It's not up to me to go into the office and demand a four-year deal, whatever," he said. "No, I'm going come here to play the game, finish my year. If they want me to come back, I'll come back."
"I want to wait and talk to them (about) what they want to do, after the season," Ramirez said. "I want to play the game, finish my year, and whatever happens, happens." Roche says Manny appears to be in great shape and is poised to have another great offensive year. Last year, he hit .296 with 20 HR and 88 RBI.
Manny said that has nothing to do with him being in a contract year.
"I'm not making any statement," he said. "I feel great, man. I'm looking forward for '08 and '09 and I did my work like I always do every year and I'm excited to be here." When asked about reporting to Spring Training Manny sounded a bit like Yankee great Yogi Berra when he replied "I'm always on time. I might be late two years in a row, but I'm always on time."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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