[sears3820]

Manny Reaches a Milestone

MIAMI -- The hitting machine achieved a milestone in dramatic fashion on Saturday night against the Marlins. Needing just one hit to reach No. 2,000, Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez raked a tasty offering from Brian Moehler in the top of the first and put it over the wall in right field for a three-run homer.

The 2,000 hits are impressive enough, but particularly noteworthy for a man who, at the age of 34, could play several more years if he so chooses.
"It doesn't look like he's slowing down," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "He's just a phenomenal hitter. He's been phenomenal, and he'll probably continue to be phenomenal. As long as he's healthy, I don't see him slowing down."

Ramirez has two years plus a club option for a third year left on his contract. He would obviously have to play beyond that contract to make a run at 3,000.

Whether he makes it to that distinguished club or not, Ramirez's legacy as one of the great hitters of his generation is already secure.

Awe is the best way to describe how other hitters feel about Ramirez.

"His setup and his approach are so simple," said Sox third baseman Mike Lowell. "Not what he's thinking. I have no idea what he's thinking. I don't think anybody has an idea what he's thinking. But it seems like he's so slow, and then the explosion is so violent.

"That combination, usually guys that swing so fast and crisp through the zone usually have something to trigger it. He looks like he can go at almost a standstill to this tremendous and polished swing on any pitcher. He'll hit a 1-0 slider a mile. I don't know if he waits until the last possible moment. I don't know what does. It's awesome to watch."

And impossible to duplicate.

"He gets a little extra," Lowell said. "There are balls in BP that looks like a routine fly ball in medium right center. It's 12 rows back. I don't know how he generates bat speed or backspin, whatever it is. That's why he makes $20 million a year."
The home run for Ramirez was No. 456, meaning he could reach the 500 club by next season.