While it certainly seems like MLB has made progress to embrace the personality of its players, there will always be people out there who want baseball players to act like emotionless robots.
And oh man, former MLB player Jeff Frye went to some wild lengths to make that argument this week.
Manny Ramirez’s son, Lucas, had himself a weekend to remember at the plate in the 2023 World Wood Bat Association (WWBA) tournament in Georgia where he hit a walk-off home run to send his travel team to the championship game. For a high school player, it’s a huge moment. And you better believe that Lucas — a Tennessee commit — had every right to celebrate the walk-off shot.
Lucas Ramirez KNEW he got all of this WALK-OFF 💣@Lucas_Ramirez24 x #WWBA pic.twitter.com/KRjwy7OnkG
— Perfect Game USA (@PerfectGameUSA) July 23, 2023
Yet, Frye saw footage of Lucas rounding the bases and thought the home run celebration was worth blasting the young player over. On top of that, Frye — who is also an MLBPA agent — argued that Lucas’ father would never do that.
Thanks @MLB for encouraging kids to act foolishly on a baseball field. I’m sure this young man has a bright future but I played against his dad who was a great hitter and I never saw him do this. #shegone #letthekidsplay @@MLBPAA @MLBNetwork @WillClark22 @TheRealJHair pic.twitter.com/4YKutJGFKO
— Fryedaddy (@shegone03) July 24, 2023
Again, Lucas’ father is Manny Ramirez. The same Manny Ramirez who has an entire montage of admiring home runs.
It’s one thing to have a problem with bat flips. It’s another to completely rewrite history while criticizing a youth baseball player. It was a massive home run for Lucas, and baseball needs more of that enthusiasm.
Fans honestly couldn’t believe that Frye managed to come up with such a terrible take.
This was how Twitter reacted
My brother in Christ he immediately starts undoing his batting gloves lmfaopic.twitter.com/dRf4ef4jDI https://t.co/crxn4lQYn0
— Liam Fennessy ☕️ (@LiamFennessy_) July 24, 2023
"Manny Ramirez would never pimp a home run" is one of the most hilarious notions I've ever read. https://t.co/f0KakGkJb2
— Matthew Searle (@searlebaseball) July 24, 2023
The best part about this is that his dad is Manny Ramirez 😂😂😂 https://t.co/5gE9MVbliX pic.twitter.com/47R4HXdD5f
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) July 24, 2023
this is this kids dad btw LOL pic.twitter.com/dvFMx9ODgH https://t.co/IicW6xBD4K
— Calico Joe (@CalicoJoeMLB) July 24, 2023
HUH?!pic.twitter.com/E8XLq2Xghp https://t.co/RttBp38nhb
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) July 24, 2023
You played against Manny Ramirez and never saw him pimp a homer? You must be the most oblivious person in sports. https://t.co/Syc7ILQ854
— Avry's Sports Show (@Avry) July 24, 2023
over a minute of Manny Ramirez pimping home runs: https://t.co/oRpuqftQX1 pic.twitter.com/tAWCRIW67s
— Random STL Cardinals (@RandomStlCards) July 24, 2023
I don’t see anything wrong with this. Players celebrate touchdowns, three-pointers, and goals all the time but can’t celebrate a home run?!? Come on. https://t.co/VUTtuGQvB1
— Schuyler Callihan (@Callihan_) July 24, 2023
Lmao it took me 30 seconds to find Manny pimping a HR. https://t.co/OdvVKocHm9 pic.twitter.com/tfFzntUdaA
— Jorge… deadline seller. (@BKG_98) July 24, 2023
…you’re saying…Manny Ramirez…MANNY RAMIREZ…never pimped a homer???? 💀 https://t.co/zT86huBtDG
— Edwardian (@DepressedDETN) July 24, 2023
Ah yes, his dad *checks notes* Manny Ramirez, was famously a very reserved baseball player https://t.co/tpit0tzejV
— Spencer Michaelis (@smichaelis234) July 24, 2023
Manny Ramirez: known non-celebrator https://t.co/ie2Wfll3YY pic.twitter.com/CwCClk8e3H
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) July 24, 2023
Yeah, Jeff should sit this one out.
