iPopCulture.NET

Baseball fans are familiar with the phrase, “That’s just Manny being Manny.” Manny Ramirez, the outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers is known for his crazy antics, memorable quotes, unorthodox defense, and questionable effort. Last year in a game, as Manny was going back on a fly ball, he caught the ball near the wall, jumped up and gave a fan a high-five, and then proceeded to throw out a runner for a double play.

That’s just Manny being Manny.

Ramirez is currently a free agent, looking to sign a monstrous deal after having a great finish to the 2008 season with the Dodgers. Before free agency began, the Dodgers offered Manny two years for $45 million. Yeah, not too shabby! However, Manny didn’t take the deal and filed for free agency.

Even though Ramirez is a superstar who has more money than he knows what to do with, he’s not too happy with his current status in the free agent market. With many teams focused on pitching and infielders, and with the economy putting some teams (other than the Yankees and Mets) in a crunch, the offers have not been flying around like Manny expected. 

Manny, in fact, has been so upset by the lack of suitors and offers that he has told friends he will retire if he doesn’t see an offer to his liking in the near future. In other words, if you don’t give me exactly what I want, I’m going to take my ball and go home!

Now Manny has every right in the world to do this. If he wants to retire, he’s entitled to it. But is it right to threaten retirement because you’re not receiving the $30 million/year you feel you deserve?

This brings back some memories of comments made my NBA player, Latrell Sprewell, in 2004. Sprewell, who was making $14.6 million/year at the time, questioned why he should show any effort while playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Sprewell said:

“Why would I want to help them win a title? They’re not doing anything for me. I’ve got a lot at risk here. I’ve got my family to feed.”

I think a lot of families would love to have $14.6 million to survive live off of. In fact, some Third World nations could survive off of that for an entire year. Arrogance and ignorance is not pretty!

I see Manny Ramirez as being in the same position. He’s been offered more money than he will ever need, but he’s still not happy with it. If he doesn’t get what he wants, he’s going to quit. 

It’s not as if Manny’s life is so difficult. His friends have reported that in the off-season he’s been spending his time working out, watching cartoons, and playing video games. Sounds like a rough life for a multi-millionaire who works 8 months out of the year!

Guys like Manny and Sprewell are a disgrace to hardworking Americans. They don’t seem to know the value of a hard-earned dollar. Instead, they are filled with greed, a sense of entitlement, and think everything is owed to them. 

Unfortunately, kids and adults are using their hard-earned money to buy shirts, baseball games, and jerseys with these players’ names on the back. 

I’m not upset with baseball players making as much as they do. If it’s being offered, they’re going to take it. I get upset when they become greedy and ungrateful. 

Anyone else have any thoughts on this issue?