Ramírez apologizes for latest dustup

July 01, 2008|Amalie Benjamin, Globe Staff

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - In the wake of a physical altercation between Manny Ramírez and Red Sox traveling secretary Jack McCormick, which occurred before Saturday's game in Houston, manager Terry Francona met with Ramírez at least twice yesterday to discuss the incident. But general manager Theo Epstein and Francona insisted the situation was an "internal matter," declining to expand upon what disciplinary action might be taken.

Ramírez, who was the designated hitter last night against the Rays, downplayed the situation with laughter when he met with reporters before the game. But, in a private moment with a reporter, Ramírez wondered aloud about possible repercussions, asking if it was possible he might be suspended for a game. That appears unlikely, with a more probable outcome being a fine or a charitable donation. As of late last night the Sox had not come to a decision on a disciplinary action for Ramírez.

It was yet another act in the drama that has played out over Ramírez's eight years in Boston. Other issues have included trade requests, controversial absences from All-Star and regular-season games, sometimes lackluster play in left field, and the occasional lack of hustle on ground balls, all occurring during his run to the Hall of Fame.

But rarely - outside of a June 5 spat with Kevin Youkilis in the dugout - had it turned physical, as it did when Ramírez shoved McCormick, 64, who fell to the ground.

This season has been remarkably placid for Ramírez, who has professed happiness personally and with the team on numerous occasions, including both Saturday and Sunday.

"In the clubhouse, this is a family and whatever happens in the clubhouse, it stays in the clubhouse," Ramírez said. "Me and Jack, our friendship is good and he's going to continue being my friend yesterday, today, and tomorrow."

Neither Epstein nor Francona was interested in speaking at length about the situation. Epstein, in an e-mail yesterday morning, wrote, "We take such matters seriously, but we handle them internally and we do not publicly discuss internal club discipline."

Epstein, who is not in St. Petersburg, also spoke to Ramírez yesterday.

"When things happen with us, we take things really seriously," Francona said. "We deal with things respectfully to all parties, but we also do it internally. This is something that happened between friends. It was handled."

A call to Ramírez's agent, Scott Boras, went unreturned.

On Saturday around 2 p.m., before the clubhouse was open to the media, Ramírez became angry when McCormick said he might not be able to fulfill the slugger's request for 16 tickets to that night's game.