Manny Ramirez showed up to Round Rock without his signature dreadlocks but didn’t waste any time picking up where he left off, returning to the big league.
A few days after signing to the Texas Rangers on a minor league contract, 12-time American League All-Star slugger hit the first pitch his first time at bat for a single in his debut for Triple-A Round Rock Express.
Going against Yordano Ventura, a top Kansas City pitching prospect, the 41-year-old hit a line drive to right field and headed towards second base but opted to stay on first. The cheers grew louder every time Ramirez went to the plate, he struck out swinging on a 94 mph fastball in the fifth and walked against reliever Michael Mariot in the eighth to finish his night.
Ramirez who has been riddled with controversy surrounding baseball had this to say after the game,
“The future is greater than the past,” Ramirez said. “We all do a lot of things when we are young, but if you can make it through the fire, you are changed, made better and ready for anything else.
