One of three Dominicans who helped the Boston Red Sox win the 2004 World Series (alongside Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz), Manny Ramirez will be playing ball in the Dominican Republic starting mid-November. In a press conference earlier last week in Santo Domingo he announced he would play for his old team, Aguilas Cibaenas. As of 11 November, the Aguilas were first in the league.
“I will continue training to get ready to play, and we’ll be there,” Ramirez told the press. He said he first wanted to see live pitching before joining the game.
“I feel pretty good physically and I’ve come to play hard and help this team win a championship,” said Ramirez, who has compiled 555 home runs and 1,831 RBIs in 19 major league seasons. “I thank God for the privilege of playing in my hometown.” The last time Ramirez played winter ball for Las Aguilas was in the offseason between 1994 and 1995. For the schedule of baseball games in the DR, see www.ligadom.com/calendario