Ortiz Unsure Of Manny's Whereabouts

[ThomasTomasz]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) -- David Ortiz arrived at camp Sunday wearing a black T-shirt that read "Manny being Manny" but unsure of the whereabouts of his peculiar partner in the middle of the Red Sox lineup.

Perhaps the enigmatic Manny Ramirez tuned to the Olympics one night on television and decided to travel to Turin .

"I talked to Manny like a week ago and he was going to Italy tomorrow," Ortiz said.

He must have been joking, Ortiz decided, since Ramirez is due in camp for Boston's first full-squad workout on Thursday. That wouldn't give him much time to watch curling before heading to the clubhouse.

If he shows up.

Ramirez has asked to be traded and said he might hold out of spring training if he isn't dealt. A subsequent report said he wanted to stay, but his agent denied that. It was just another confusing development in the life of a player who asks to be traded almost every season then puts up his usual impressive power numbers.

"He seems happy," Ortiz said. "I read in the news that he wants to stay in Boston. Something like that, right? That's good. Sounds good to me. Having my man around once again. Hopefully, things never change."

Then, asked if he expects Manny to be in Boston's lineup on opening day, Ortiz said, "He might. That's a good question."

Three months ago, Ortiz said in a news conference in the Dominican Republic that Ramirez is not returning to Boston.

The Red Sox have talked with other teams about trading Ramirez, who had 45 homers and 144 RBIs last year when they failed to repeat as World Series champions, but haven't found a satisfactory deal.

On Sunday, general manager Theo Epstein wouldn't comment on whether the left fielder will report Thursday, but several cartons of mail were stacked by Ramirez's locker.

Ortiz definitely will be without two gregarious, fun-loving pals who left as free agents. Center fielder Johnny Damon went to the New York Yankees and first baseman Kevin Millar signed with the Baltimore Orioles.

Millar helped Ramirez relax and feel more comfortable with the media.

"I've talked to Millar a lot," Ortiz said. "Millar is the kind of guy that, as long as he was here, he kept this ballclub going one way or the other.

"Millar was an outstanding teammate and, hopefully, I get the opportunity to play with him again."

Last season, Ortiz hit .300 with 47 homers and 148 RBI. Nineteen of those homers tied games or put Boston ahead. That strengthened his MVP credentials but he may have been hurt by being a designated hitter and was edged by Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees.

The sting didn't linger.

"The most important thing is to know you did what it takes to help your ballclub," Ortiz said. "If ever it comes, it comes. If it doesn't, hang with it."

Ortiz will be with new teammates in two weeks when he plays for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. Many elite players had the option of missing major-league exhibition games to compete for their country and Ortiz jumped at the chance.

"I want to play. I got the opportunity to represent my country and you don't get to see that," he said. "There's players that play forever and they never get the opportunity because that (tournament) was never going on before."

Ortiz didn't criticize Rodriguez for choosing to play for the United States rather than the Dominican Republic, and said Rodriguez was "a professional and a very smart guy."

But Ortiz did express concern about the timing of the global competition.

"I think it would be a better idea if they do that during the (All-Star) break, something like that," he said. "There's a lot of players that take time to get ready, especially pitchers."

As if Ortiz needed extra incentive to stay healthy and keep slugging, he is nearing the end of his contract. The club has an option for 2007.

But he apparently isn't worrying about working out his next deal.

"I'm not involved with it. I don't know what's going on. I'm just thinking about the season coming up right now." he said. "Hopefully, I stay here for the rest of my career. I like it here."

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns

[HafDawg2003]

That's just Manny being Manny!

[RockSports17]

Don't really see this as a big deal......i'm sure manny will come back with a smile on his face and play for the Sox atleast another year before starting up his rant of wanting to be traded again.

[Fishercat]

lol manny bein manny.

Seriously, I won't be concerned until he pulls a Guapo on us and misses a few weeks of the season, supposedly kidnapped but really partying.

[RockSports17]

LOL. So, anybody want to bet that Manny will come into spring training even bigger than last year?

[HafDawg2003]

Well, I DID hear he was using Longitude and Viagra...

[Fishercat]

Height: 7'0"
Weight: Infinity