Manny Ramirez was born on May 30th, 1972. Today, May 30th, 2008, Manny is sitting at 499 career home runs. You see where I’m going? The only way it could have been better was to do it at Fenway, but hey, Camden Yards is Fenway South, right? It’s not like there will be any Oriole fans there to see history made.
It was just over three years ago when Manny smacked number 400:
Ramirez was his typically goofy self when asked what he was going to do with the ball. “I don’t know, probably put it on eBay,” quipped Ramirez. “See how much I could get. Maybe $200.”
His teammates marveled at the accomplishment.“It’s a great milestone that Manny can look back on at the end of his career,” said Sox right fielder Trot Nixon. “I don’t think he’s going to stop there. I think he has a great chance at getting 500 home runs.”
But before getting to that loftier number, it should be noted that Ramirez became just the 39th player in history to smash 400 homers.
The four quickest players to 400 homers? Mark McGwire (4,726 at-bats), Babe Ruth (4,854), Harmon Killebrew (5,300) and Jim Thome (5,416). Ramirez belted his 400th in career at-bat No. 5,695. Ramirez said No. 500 is nowhere near his radar. “I don’t set no goals, man. I just go have fun, play hard and go home,” Ramirez said. “That’s me. I know I’m a special player. I know I’m going to be fun when I leave this game, so I don’t worry about that.”
Well, that was Manny in his pre-“I’m-a-bad-man” persona. When asked about the feat in Japan at the start of the season, Manny had this to say:
“I’m going to get to 600 [homers],” Ramirez said. “Why not? The sky’s the limit. There’s no limit.”
And who are we to doubt him? My question to SG Nation – what does Manny do when he hits number 500? Drop his bat, put his head down and trot around the bases? Throw his arms up at home plate, admiring the ball until it is out of sight before taking his bases? Tear off his uniform to reveal his Superman costume and break into an MC Hammer-choreographed celebration dance? Hopefully, we’ll find out tonight…
