For the second day in a row we start off with Manny Ramirez. There is a first, though, we've never quoted an agent among the overly rhapsodic and doggedly optimistic voices of Major League Baseball's Spring Training chorus. Manny was accompanied by his agents, Greg Genske and Gene Matos, when he reported to Red Sox camp. While the slugger had no comments for the press, his representatives showed that they had passed Drew Rosenhaus 101 for stupid responses to questions, stupid or otherwise.
"He was ready to report and he's excited to be here," said a visibly nervous Genske.
"I think it was important for both Manny and me that he get to spring training as early as he could, given his family situation."
"He's in great shape, perfectly healthy. His knee feels fine and he is ready to go."
"I'm not going to comment on somebody else's opinion and speculation of what happened during the end of last season," said Genske. "It's a new season. It's spring training. He's excited for the season. He's ready to go and so we're happy for him. I'm not going to talk about last season."
There ain't no circus like the Manny Ramirez circus cause the Manny Ramirez circus don't quit.
- "If you ask Dayton or anybody in the front office," Royals prospect Billy Butler said, "they’ll tell you that they’re going to give me the opportunity to be the best defensive player that I can be. They believe in me, and that’s all that really matters."
- Cubs hitting coach Gerald Perry: "My thing with hitting is you go out every day and not worry about stats and do the little things to help the team win, and then your stats will be where they're supposed to be," he said. "I think the fans have a lot to look forward to. Expectations should be high. Mine are. They are through the clubhouse."
- Ben Broussard of the Mariners brushed up on his Crash Davis during the offseason. "I chose to look at this as a positive," Broussard said. "I've got a job here and I've got a chance to contribute. I can't control what I can't control. And you never know what's going to happen. As long as I'm ready to go, you take what comes."
- His teammate Jeremy Reed didn't. "I've been blessed with a lot of special abilities," Reed said. "I know that. So I'm not really worried about what will happen now that Ichiro is in center field."
- How is new Ranger manager Ron Washington different from Buck Showalter? He's willing to talk about himself in the third person when discussing Sammy Sosa. "I have no doubt," Washington said. "I'm not saying anyone else has no doubt, but Ron Washington's got no doubt."
- Royals manager Buddy Bell stops short — but just short — of characterizing Jorge De La Rosa as a lock for the rotation’s fourth slot behind Gil Meche, Odalis Perez and Luke Hudson. "I like De La Rosa a lot," Bell said. "I like his toughness, and I like his stuff. He would have to be pretty bad not to make the rotation." I'd say it's a 50-50 shot then.
- Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Rich Aurilia is the front-runner to bat third ahead of Barry Bonds.
- "Now,"Nationals catcher Brian Schneider said of Shawn Hill, "he's putting that pitch exactly where he wants to. I'm excited to watch him pitch this year, because I don't think there's any question that he can win in the big leagues."
- "I'm looking to walk more this year," said Richie Sexson, whose walks fell from 89 in 2005 to 64 last year even as his strikeouts fell slightly from 167 to 154. "With this lineup, it should be really possible. There's going to be so much more protection in the lineup every day, no matter where anybody bats in the lineup."
Former Royals first-round pick Michael Tucker is 35 now but has no plans of retiring. Tucker played last year with the Mets, hitting .196 in 35 games. "The cell phone stays on," Tucker said recently. "I know I can still play. It’s a matter of getting a chance and if somebody wants to give me an opportunity."
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