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Ramirez: 'I'm here. I came to do my job' / Photo

AP photo
Ramirez is greeted by his friend Enrique Wilson as he shows up today for the official start of spring training in Florida -- sporting an Oakland Raider jersey and orange dreadlocks.

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- After a winter of rumors regarding his future in Boston, a smiling and (relatively) chatty Manny Ramirez reported to the Red Sox' training camp here this morning and said he's committed to helping the Sox win.

''My main focus is on baseball right now, trying to help the team,'' Ramirez said in an impromptu press conference soon after he reported to City of Palm Parks.

Ramirez arrived at 9:01 a.m. wearing a black Oakland Raiders jersey with Tim Brown's number 81. He walked into the main administration building, but came out near the batting cage where he gave his close friend Enrique Wilson -- a non-roster player attempting to win a job with the Sox as a backup infielder -- a hug.

The Sox acknowledged that Ramirez had requested a trade after the end of last season because of unspecified off-field concerns, and said they spent a good deal of time this winter attempting to accomodate him. But they said they never received an offer they considered of equal value, and wouldn't trade him unless they did.

Ramirez said he would entertain ''no questions about trade rumors or whatever or anything like that.''

''I don't live in the past,'' he said. "I live in the present. I'm here, I came to do my job. I get paid to play baseball. That's it. What else can I say? I guess a lot of people wanted me back.''

Greg Genske, Ramirez' agent, accompanied him to camp. He was vague when asked about Ramirez' trade demands when he spoke to reporters later in the day.

''I don't know there ever was a time where there was a request or a demand [by Ramirez for a trade],'' he said. ''There has been an open dialogue. That's been going for years. Manny has kept an open mind. It has been a two-way street. The Red Sox have conducted offers and Manny has been willing to listen to what they say.''

Ramirez is now a ''10-5'' man -- 10 years in the major leagues, the last five with the same team -- and thus has the right to veto any trade. Genske said that issue has yet to arise.

''There has never been a trade on the table where Manny has been asked for his consent,'' he said. ''Manny's happy, and what I expect is that he'll be professional and get prepared for the season. He'll have another great year."

Red Sox position players were scheduled to report last week, although the official reporting date is March 1, and the Sox announced last week that Ramirez would remain at his Miami home until today. They said he was involved in intense personal workouts that he wanted to complete, and Ramirez confirmed that today.

''I didn't want to come in halfway through my workout,'' he said. When asked what he was working on, he said ''agility, balance, my hamstring.''

He also confirmed that he would not play for the Dominican Republic team in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, instead staying in camp with the Red Sox.

''Not really,'' he replied when asked if he regretted missing the Classic. ''My main focus is getting prepared for the season. I'm not ready [to play]. I'm not going to go out there and make a fool of myself. I get paid to play baseball. I'm going to go out and perform, whether I like it or not.''

He refused to comment further when reporters pressed him to clarify his ''whether I like it or not'' statement. But he added:

''Another thing I want to get straight: I've got a baseball career going on. I'm not going to let little things like [trade rumors, etc.] mess up all the things I accomplish. When I finish my career, I'll be a special player. I won't let anybody stop that.''

-- Steven Krasner in Fort Myers (updated at 11:09 a.m.)

Posted by Art  at 10:09 AM | Permalink

Manny makes it to spring training -- on time

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez has shown up at the team's spring training site here.

Ramirez was given permission by Sox officials to begin his training with the team several days later than the other players, but some questioned whether he would meet today's extended deadline.

Ramirez arrived in camp at 9:01 a.m. wearing a Tim Brown Oakland Raiders jersey and sporting a new look -- scruffy beard and orange dreadlocks.

-- With reports from Journal sportswriter Steve Krasner

Posted by Andrea Panciera  at 9:28 AM | Permalink