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Manny for Beltran

Tuesday is the 45th anniversary of the last walk-off home run in an All-Star Game (Johnny Callison).

I would like to see another one.

Therefore, I would call upon the good folks at Major League Baseball to make Manny Ramirez the injury-replacement selection for Carlos Beltran.

In other words, let Manny be Manny.

I realize this would be somewhat unpopular, and from a moral standpoint, I'm opposed, but I think it's a logical decision given the circumstances.

The National League has not won an All-Star Game since 1996. The National League gets pummeled in interleague play every year. They need to do something to change the mojo.

The last time an NL team had home-field advantage in the World Series was in 2001. Think the Diamondbacks win Game 7 (reminder: it was a walk-off) if they're in Yankee Stadium?

I don't.

I root for a National League team. If that team makes the World Series (ha!), I'd like it to have home-field advantage. And I'm willing to be a sellout to make it happen. This time it counts, right?

Let me put it to you this way. Let's say we get to a similar stage that we got to in last year's All-Star Marathon. Let's say we're late in the game, and it's a close game, and that Charlie Manuel has already used top bench bats Prince Fielder and Ryan Howard, or that lefty Brian Fuentes is pitching.

Who do I want batting? Hunter Pence, Brad Hawpe, or Manny Ramirez?

Even though Manny Ramirez is a lousy hitter against Mariano Rivera (.211 BA) and a dreadful batsman against Joe Nathan (0-for-7, 5 K), I'd still take my chances.

If that doesn't work, can we compromise on Manny's teammate, Andre Ethier? Ethier is tied for the MLB lead with 4 walk-off hits this season.

True Mets fans being Mets fans know... Manny Ramirez hasn't hit a regular-season walk-off home run since 1996, but he did it one against Francisco Rodriguez to win Game 2 of the 2007 NLCS.

Comments

Ceetar said…
Put him in. If Fox can cut away from the game to go to his 5th AB back, they must think it'll draw ratings. and to me the game is about the players fans most want to see, and fans want to see Manny.

Of course, he probably wouldn't play. he doesn't seem to like All Star Games.
10:32 AM
Eli From Brooklyn said…
Go for it. I'm game.
1:14 PM
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