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June 4, 2008
Manny Ramirez's right hamstring still is a little tender, so once again he will serve as the Sox' designated hitter, an option that exists for the left fielder and manager Terry Francona because David Ortiz (left wrist) is on the disabled list.
"It's not getting worse," said Francona. "It's something guys go through, and Manny goes through it three or four times a year. Sometime he has to miss games but with the DH spot opening up we don't have to do that."
Francona said he can tell Ramirez has been careful when he has been running.
"His gait to first is even, which is good, but you can can see Manny's thinking about it, trying not to do something he shouldn't do," said Francona.
Ramirez, meanwhile, was in good spirits this afternoon, talking about his hamstring discomfort and other topics.
"I can feel it a little," said Ramirez of his hamstring. "That's why I have to run through the base (and not stop suddenly). It's weird. It seems like every time I run it bothers me. That's okay. I'm playing through it."
So he has to serve as the DH. It was thought he didn't like that role. That's not what he said this afternoon.
"I love it. It's easy," said Ramirez, who spends time between at-bats hitting in the cage in an effort to stay loose.
When Ortiz returns, will Ramirez want to claim the DH job for his own and send Ortiz to left field?
"No. We don't want to make it a circus," said Ramirez.
He was asked about the relief he feels after having reached his homer milestone, belting number 500 last Saturday in Baltimore. And he compared it to what Ken Griffey Jr., who is sitting on 599, is going through, especially with how special baseballs are put in play for the 499 and 599 at-bats, so as to guarantee authenticity once the magic homer leaves the ballyard.
"In a situation like Griffey, you just want to get it and move on," said Ramirez. "Now that I've ggot 500 out of the way I'll just go out and have fun. What I get from now on is extra.What's left for me to do? Steal bases? Maybe 500?"
-- Steven Krasner
Posted by Steven Krasner 
at 4:23 PM | Permalink
