Quote: Jerry Manuel on Manny, WBC, etc.
Jerry Manuel was a guest on SNY’s Daily News Live yesterday, and had the following to say when asked if he would have a problem managing a player like Manny Ramirez:
“I don’t think so. I don’t have a problem with people that produce in the form and fashion that Manny Ramirez produces. We shouldn’t spend that much time in the locker room anyway, our job is to be on the field – and Manny Ramirez has proven that he is probably one of the best right-handed hitters of our generation. To have a shot at managing him would be exciting for me. I’ve had Albert Belle, Frank Thomas, tremendous right-handed hitters. I would love to have the opportunity to watch Manny hit every day.”
Manuel said it is not his job to lobby management for players, he leaves that up to Omar Minaya – however,“Once that player becomes a Met, I get involved from there.”
He also talked about Luis Castillo, back-to-back collapses, and the World Baseball Classic, on which he said:
“I wish there wasn’t the World Baseball Classic at this time because the core players are the players I need to manage in spring training. Those are the guys you want to make sure understand what you’re looking for and what you want… From the 23rd of March on, we’re going to have to do some things to get everybody in line.”
To watch Manuel’s five-minute interview on Daily News Live, courtesy of SNY.tv, click play below:
