Manny Ramirez showed who's really in charge last week when he privately went into manager Jimy Williams' office to say he is more comfortable in right field than left prior to their first Grapefruit League game of spring training against the Minnesota Twins. Eight days previous to this request, Williams had said Manny would be the starting left fielder on opening day, feeling the move would benefit the $160 million man since right field in Fenway is among the most difficult and spacious in the American League. Ramirez begged to differ, and Jimy listened loud and clear.

"I never played left before, so I don't know," said Ramirez at the time. "I'll just try to help the team. Me in left? No problem. If (Williams) thinks that will make the team better, I'm willing to do it." After reading about this controversy all last week, it is refreshing to know that Manny is not as selfish as he is portrayed. Now with Manny in right, Trot Nixon will be benched and O'Leary may get the job in left. But, should Jimy have listened to Manny? That move takes one of the Sox top defensive outfielders, Nixon, out of the equation and puts a newly multi-millionaire with defensive liabilities in right instead. Also, what kind of message are the Sox, especially Williams, trying to send. Would the same luxury be given to a lesser player, one without Ramirez's profile and security? Doubtful.

The decision to change Manny's position due to his request also shows and brings up the question of how much power big-salaried players have when it comes to calling the shots. With Ramirez signing a huge contract and becoming one of the top five paying players in the game, shouldn't he be doing whatever the team calls for him to do? Ramirez may have sent the wrong message to his teammates and could be interpreted as an example of a player putting himself first. This is exactly what the Sox don't need, after just a year ago staggering to the finishline and being left out of the playoffs. The team needs unity and a good sense of chemistry for our boys of summer to go anywhere this fall.

I'm sure there are a lot of fans out there who don't know anything about Manny besides that the Sox got a big slugger, assuring that this is the year. So, let me elaborate on this man we call Manny Ramirez.

Profile

Height: 6-0
Weight: 205 lbs.
Throws: Right
Bats: Right
Positions: Right Field, Designated Hitter
Born: May 30, 1972, Santo Domingo,
Drafted: Selected by the Cleveland Indians in the firstround (13th pick overall) of the 1991 free-agent draft.

The Skinny

In the last two seasons, Ramirez has amassed 287 RBI in 265 games. In Ted Williams-like fashion, Ramirez hit a 452-foot homer in his final at-bat as an Indian. He can do it all with the bat, hitting for average, power and production. He is particularly effective against lefthanders. He's a solid right fielder with a good, accurate arm. The final question arises: can Manny deal with the added media attention that will follow? If there is one danger sign, it's how long it took him to recover from last year's hamstring injury. If that malady becomes chronic, his numbers will suffer.

Well, that's Manny Ramirez in a nutshell. I hope you like him. By the end of the season, you will LOVE him. He is a tremendous player and a great acquisition by Dan Duquette.

Until next time, take care of yourself and live the Sox spirit.

MJS4163@aol.com