ABL 2020: Manny Ramirez set to debut for Blue Sox as baseball season remains in limbo
Sydney Blue Sox players have revealed their excitement at the arrival of MLB champion, as the ABL season remains in limbo.
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Major League Baseball legend Manny Ramirez will touch down in Sydney next week to quarantine ahead of his Australian Baseball League debut on December 18.
Ramirez, 48, must spend 14 days in a specific Sydney quarantine hotel – set aside by the NSW Government for visiting international athletes – before joining the Blue Sox at Blacktown.
The marquee slugger, a 12-time MLB All-Star and two-time World Series champion with Boston Red Sox, is widely regarded as one of the greatest hitters in baseball history.
While the ABL has yet to confirm the makeup of its 2020-21 season, News Australia has confirmed the Blue Sox will host Melbourne Aces on December 18.
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The Perth Heat home-stand against Canberra Cavalry, set for the same day, remains in limbo, so too the viability this season of International conference teams Auckland Tuatara and Geelong-Korea.
Outside of the Blue Sox opening weekend, it is understood the only other ABL fixture set in stone is the January 14-17 Melbourne-Sydney blockbuster.
Blue Sox owner Adam Dobb would not be drawn on the season schedule, but confirmed Ramirez would be available to suit up against the Aces on December 18.
“For months it has been exciting (the signing of Ramirez) but uncertainty (around the season going ahead) has definitely had me waiting to see if I’ll have egg on my face,” Dobbs said.
“The government exemption (last week) and booking a flight (on Friday) and him being excited to get on that plane, it was an emotional relief.”
If not the highest-profile athlete to play in Australia, the career $200m-earner Ramirez, who crushed 555 home runs and 1831 RBIs, with a .312 career batting average, is certainly the best credentialed.
“It’s a massive signing so everyone is in awe but he has broken the mould very quickly,” Dobb said.
“He wants to be treated like one of the boys, he wants to be part of this team, it’s not a ‘Manny Show’.
“(But) who wouldn’t listen when he speaks, he’s going to be influential even when he’s not meaning to be.”
As much as lifelong Red Sox fan Dobb has tried to keep a lid on excitement levels, a group message to Blue Sox players and staff confirming the Ramirez flight booking suggested otherwise.
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“A lot of positive emojis returned,” Dobb laughed.
“From thumbs up to love hearts to beers, everyone is excited.”
While Ramirez last played professionally in Japan in 2017 – and still draws a seven-figure salary from the Red Sox – continues to hit daily in a batting cage.
“He will need to adjust to velocity again,” Dobb said.
“I don’t think there is a pitcher in the ABL that will take him lightly, but I think if you did, I think you’ll suffer the consequence.
“The guys still crushes a baseball … he’s not here for a holiday.”
Originally published as ABL 2020: Manny Ramirez set to debut for Blue Sox as baseball season remains in limbo