Manny Ramirez squares off against Roger Clemens in the first round of Boston’s Biggest Sports Legend tournament.
When the Red Sox signed Manny Ramirez prior to the 2001 season, it was the first move in a series of franchise changes that eventually brought the Red Sox their first World Series championship in 86 years and a second one only three years later. Ramirez’s time in Boston was filled with roller-coaster emotions for the star slugger and the fans, but no one can deny the Hall of Fame numbers he posted while Fenway Park was his home. In eight-plus seasons with the Red Sox, Manny hit .312 with 274 home runs and 868 RBIs. He was named an All-Star every season he spent in Boston and picked up six Silver Slugger awards. But Manny’s time in Boston will always be defined by his postseason heroics and carefree persona. Just Manny being Manny.
After 13 seasons in Boston, there wasn’t anything left for Roger Clemens to personally accomplish on a major league mound. And even though “The Rocket” went on to play 11 more seasons after his time in Boston, the 192 wins and 3.06 ERA he posted from 1984 to 1996 represent one of the most dominating runs of any pitcher in the history of the game. Clemens racked up three Cy Young awards, an MVP, three 20-win seasons, six All-Star appearances and posted a sub-2.00 ERA (1.93) in 1990. The only thing the three-time strikeout king in Boston never did as a Red Sox was win a ring, though Clemens came an out away from getting one in 1986. Arguably the greatest pitcher in Red Sox history, it will be tough for any power pitcher to top his franchise numbers and records.
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