Hi Angelica,

Thanks for sharing this great story. I love hearing that he's a nice
guy, but we knew that already, didn't we? :)

(I'm going to post the article on my redsoxnewsletter and credit both
you and the writer.)

Take care,

Lynne


--- In mannyacs@yahoogroups.com, Angelica Fisichella
<angelica1222@...> wrote:
>
> I thought you all would enjoy this great article about Manny that
was in yesterday's Boston Herald. All I can say is, I wish I was on
that flight!!
>
>
> He's a charmer: Away from game, Manny connects
> By Karen Guregian
>
> Wednesday, June 14, 2006
>
> MINNEAPOLIS -- These days, not many people get
up-close-and-personal time with Manny Ramirez, outside of his family,
friends and teammates. That�s simply how the Red Sox slugger prefers it.
>
>
> A small glimpse inside his life yesterday morning, however,
revealed a playful, kind, humorous, and charming Manny who was more
than willing to engage in conversation and sign a few autographs for
fans at Logan Airport, as well as those who happened to be on his 8
a.m. Northwest flight to Minneapolis.
>
>
> Imagine the shock and delight of those milling around Terminal E
at the airport, along with those seated in the plane, when Ramirez
ambled in, dressed in jeans and a tangerine-colored T-shirt, his
famous do-rag covering his black and copper dread locks, a moss-green
leather bag strapped over his shoulder.
>
>
> Many Sox fans seated throughout the plane couldn�t get on their
cell phones fast enough, calling friends to exhort: "You�ll never
guess who�s on this flight!"
>
> While he has sworn off talking to the media this year, a solo
Ramirez was willing to chat it up with fans, including the man sitting
next to him in first class on the three-hour flight.
>
>
> In between taking a nap, reading the car magazine he bought for
the trip and signing autographs -- the stewardess nabbed one for her
son -- Ramirez took the time to swap stories with the passenger next
door.
>
>
> "He was a normal guy, just hanging out," said Bill Barton of
Harvard, a Sox fan traveling to the Twin Cities on business. "No, I
wasn�t expecting to see him on this flight, especially sitting next to
me. But he told me he wanted to spend time with his family last night
instead of coming with the team."
>
>
> Barton didn�t have any problem with that, and neither do the Sox,
who allow their players, especially the stars, to travel when they
want particularly if there�s an off day involved.
>
>
> Come at him with a notebook and tape recorder and Ramirez takes a
hike or politely declines, as he did yesterday when asked for an
interview.
>
>
> He went the talking route one year, opening up to the media after
being spurred on by Kevin Millar and David Ortiz, but he says he is
much more comfortable without having to deal with the daily onslaught
of scribes.
>
>
> And, yes, he�s having a better time without the hassle. On the
field, he may have started slowly at the plate, but his power numbers
are certainly coming around.
>
> As Barton found out, if you sit down for a casual chat with
Ramirez, he�s warm and friendly, and contrary to speculation, seems
happy and content to still be in Boston. He�ll proudly talk about his
kids, especially how much his eldest son Manny enjoys baseball.
>
>
> While he shuns the media, he certainly wasn�t shirking his duty as
a public figure and one of the Red Sox� most popular players yesterday.
>
>
> "He�s a real nice guy," Barton said. "We talked about travel,
different places, food. Every time someone asked for an autograph, he
gave it to them."
>
> Barton has two young daughters who both play baseball. The Barton
family was at the Sox game Friday night against Texas.
>
>
> Did he talk shop with Manny?
>
>
> "No, I figure he gets that all the time," Barton answered. "I
tried to be respectful of his time."
>
>
> Other fans casually asked questions at the airport while getting
signatures on anything they could scrounge up. One fan hoped Manny
would get a home run against Twins lefty Johan Santana last night.
>
>
> "One? Why not two?" Ramirez playfully shot back at the fan.
>
>
> He offered the same response for another fan who hoped he would
hit a homer against former teammate Pedro Martinez later this month
when the Mets visit Fenway.
>
>
> Ramirez was smiling as he walked off the plane, saying goodbye to
people as he left. He then promptly stopped at a fast-food Chinese
takeout, still in the airport.
>
> When asked by one passerby why he would go there, Ramirez, who was
signed to a whopping $160 million contract by Dan Duquette in 2001,
cracked: "It�s all I can afford on my budget."
>
> Guess you can file that one under, Manny being Manny.
>
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