.342, 24 home runs, 106 RBI, 27 stolen bases.
Those are rock star numbers that Hanley Ramirez (pictured for many South Florida fans who are clueless about how good this guy is) put up in 2009.
So why are the Marlins having issues with their super-star?
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The reason is simple, he's acting like a jerk.
Hanley is in the middle of a 6-year, $70 million dollar contract.
And yet, he has dogged it on several occassions.
That's the unforgivable in sports.
Not trying.
If you don't try during a pickup basketball game, your buddy may want to fight you.
Imagine how Jeffrey Loria felt watching his $70 million dollar man kick the ball around like a 3rd grader.
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Fredi took A step by pulling Hanley out of the game.
But if it were me, it would've been immediate.
I wouldn't have let him finish the inning.
And it would've been by his ear.
Hurt or not, there is an element of professional pride that SHOULD kick in.
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With all that said, Hanley is in a bizarre position.
He puts up MONSTER numbers and is respected around the game.
Yet, on some nights, he plays in front of crowds that rival my Bar Mitzvah.
He's feared around the league, but could probably walk around the Aventura Mall undetected (actually have seen Josh Johnson there a few times, he was NEVER stopped).
How do you stay motivated for that?
I think all that money would help.
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Think about a baseball player's day.
They have to "try" for about 3 hours.
That's it.
You take BP, you hang out at the ballpark...
Who among us wouldn't take a $70-million job where 3 hours of effort are required?
And it's baseball, how much effort is needed?
Oh man, I had a strenuous day of spitting sunflower seeds, checking out the girls in the stands, fielding 3 ground balls, grabbing myself 1895 times...
Man, I need a nap.
Good thing, I get to sit for 25 minute intervals every half inning between at-bats.
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Despite his growing pains, Hanley continues to produce.
Aloof, difficult, productive...
Hanley really is starting to morf into those Manny being Manny comparisons.
In this case, yes, the juice is worth the squeeze.
If the Marlins don't want Hanley, every other team in baseball would be happy to take their problem off their hands.
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I can say this for all this Hanley nonsense, it's the most interesting thing to happen to the Marlins this year.
The Marlins have been moving along, playing around 500.
The real story of the Fish is that they're waiting for the big slugger Mike Stanton to come to town.
He might as well be named Godot.
Back to Hanley, bench him, sit him, doesn't matter, he's still your best player... for now.
