Manny Ramirez Planning a Comeback in Taiwan at 48 Years Old is Exactly What We Need Right Now
By Michael Luciano
After an extremely productive career in MLB, Manny Ramirez crossed the pacific at age 41 and immediately became a star in the CPBL for the EDA Rhinos, hitting .352 with eight home runs and 43 RBI in 49 games.
Seven years later, as he is pushing 50, Ramirez appears to be giving Julio Franco a run for his money, as he is plotting a comeback at the age of 48.
Manny Ramirez told the Taiwan Times he seeks to play this year in the Taiwan League. Played there in 2013 after “retiring” in 2011. Misses being in the batters box. Turns 48 next month.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 29, 2020
Ramirez, a 12-time All-Star and nine-time Silver Slugger winner in MLB, hit .312 with 555 home runs and 1,831 RBI in the pros, most of which came with the Cleveland Indians or Boston Red Sox. His numbers scream, "First ballot Hall of Famer," but being caught using performance-enhancing drugs on multiple occasions has made it difficult for Ramirez to enter Cooperstown.
After his stint in Taiwan, Ramirez spent the the 2014 and 2015 seasons as a player-coach for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs and Águilas Cibaeñas in the Dominican Winter League. Ramirez might be 48, but there is still a chance he has some pop left in his bat.
Manny Ramirez: "My goal for 2020 is to find a roster spot in the CPBL. I have been itching to get back in the batter's box and be able to compete again. I also miss being around teammates and team dinners post-games". https://t.co/MsHJzfYlp3
— Héctor Gómez (@hgomez27) April 29, 2020
(via @TheTaiwanTimes)@ZDeportes
In what has been a very bleak time for sports, seeing a 48-year-old Ramirez launching bombs in Taiwan could be just what the baseball world needs right now.