Manny Ramirez Signs With The Kochi Fighting Dogs

One of the best hitters to play the game in the last 15 years isn't done just yet. He may have retired from the MLB, but he's not finished playing baseball. Manny Ramirez found a new home with the Kochi Fighting Dogs who are part of an independent league called the Shikoku Island League located in Japan.

"Manny Being Manny"

One of the best hitters to play the game in the last 15 years isn't done just yet. He may have retired from the MLB, but he's not finished playing baseball. Manny Ramirez found a new home with the Kochi Fighting Dogs who are part of an independent league called the Shikoku Island League located in Japan. The 12 time MLB All-Star who's most famous for his playing days in Boston where he helped the Red Sox win the World Series in 2004 and was one of the prominent members of the "Band of Idiots," will try to continue his baseball career. After ending his MLB career with a .312 batting average, 555 home runs, and 1831 RBIs. He's 15th on the all-time home run list and is 18th all-time for RBIs. His last appearance in the MLB was all the way back in 2011 when he was a part of the Tampa Bay Rays and now at the age of 44 Manny will be venturing back to baseball once again.

He's also in the Hall of Fame Ballot for the first time this year, but there has been speculation about whether or not he is worthy enough to be in the Hall of Fame. After being caught using performance-enhancing drugs and being suspended twice this has become a diffiucult decision for the voters. Maybe he's trying to recreate his image again even though it's not in the MLB he might try to create some optimism around his name before the voting. Maybe Manny Ramirez loves the game of baseball so much that he could care less about the Hall of Fame or he believes this might help improve his vision in the eye of the voters. This is all speculation for now, and maybe Manny will decide to speak more about his Hall of Fame aspirations in the future, but until that day all we can do is speculate.

Speaking of the Hall of Fame do I believe Manny will get enough votes this year? No, but I believe he will be able to get in the Hall of Fame a couple of years from now. The PED's are obviously the reason why he isn't going to be a first ballot hall of fame player. If the greatest statistical player to ever live Barry Bonds, isn't able to reach the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility I don't expect Manny to get enough votes especially after being suspended on two different occasions for using PEDs. Maybe in a couple of years voters will start to have a different view of the steroid era, but until then players such as Manny Ramirez will have a tough time reaching enough votes.

Some of his actions have been complete head scratchers, whether it's Manny hanging out in the Green Monster during a pitching change, or cutting off a Johny Damon throw in the outfield, barrel rolling after making a catch, or even making a catch at the wall while slapping a fan's hand. Even if you were a New York Yankees fan, I'm sure you could admit how enjoyable it was to watch "Manny being Manny." It's good to know that Manny hasn't stopped playing and hopefully, he can continue to surprise us with his crazy antics. Check out the video below to see a compilation of Manny clips!