TEMPE, Ariz. - Manny Ramirez confirmed yesterday that he will be in
Fort Myers for the Red Sox official reporting date for position players.

"I'll be there on the 21st (of February)," he said, soaked with sweat
following a two-hour workout with teammate Kevin Youkilis [stats] and
Minnesota infielder Nick Punto.

"Every year is the same," Ramirez added when asked if he was excited
about heading to spring training. "I look forward to '08, '09 and
maybe move on."

Ramirez, who has been working out here at Athletes' Performance since
early December, is clearly focused on making the Red Sox' decision
whether to pick up his $20 million team option for 2009 a difficult
one. He also has no intention of drifting off into the sunset after
the completion of his current contract, which also includes a $20
million team option for 2010.

"I want to be like Julio Franco and play until I'm 48," said Ramirez,
who is planning on leaving Arizona early next week. "And if you want
to do it, this is the right place to come.

"It feels much better when you work with people who know what you're
doing. I love it. I'm going to come here every year."

The usually reserved Ramirez has no problem talking about his love for
his new workout facility, also frequented by Dustin Pedroia [stats],
Kyle Snyder [stats] and Youkilis. When the Red Sox played in Arizona
last June, Ramirez came over to check out Athletes' Performance,
having heard rave reviews from former teammate Nomar Garciaparra.

According to his conditioning supervisor, Darryl Eto, Ramirez has been
exemplary in his participation, showing up five days a week for
sessions that begin at 8 a.m. and run until just after 10 a.m.
Yesterday's workout included medicine ball work against a brick wall,
pulling of a sled full of weights, weight training and mobility drills
on a football field shared with Arizona State University.

The one thing Ramirez hasn't participated in is the institute's
hitting program at Arizona State. After hitting during the offseason
for the first time last year, he has chosen to wait until spring
training to pick up the bat this time around.

"I haven't started hitting yet. I haven't hit at all," said Ramirez,
wearing a bright orange head kerchief. "It's great if you have
somebody who really knows you and knows what you're doing when you're
hitting. I don't have anybody out here who really knows me who can
throw to me."

Manny does stand out in one respect: He is constantly accompanied by a
close relative of his, whom he calls his uncle, named Rico.

"After we work out here," Rico said, "Manny trains me back at our
place. He's tough."

Although he was offered tickets, Ramirez won't attend the Super Bowl,
choosing instead to watch on TV.

Source: Rob Bradford / bostonherald.com