In a shocking development for major league baseball today, 19-year veteran Manny Ramirez has announced his retirement from the game. The outfielder was in his first season with the Tampa Bay Rays, and it will be a big loss for Joe Maddon’s club in a tough AL East division.

Ramirez decided to retire instead of going through with a process under MLB‘s Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. He was one of the games most feared hitters, as he compiled 555 home runs, 1,831 RBI and 12 All-Star selections. He was most known for his time with the Red Sox, and it’s ironic that the announcement came at a time when the Red Sox and Yankees were adding to their storied rivalry.

The way in which Ramirez goes out will remind us all of the saying that epitomizes his career. While Ramirez was one of the most talented hitters, his spotty play in the outfield and other blunders he was prone to gave birth to the phrase “Manny being Manny.”

Leaving the already winless Rays out in the cold like this with the shocking development of his retirement certainly fits into that category.

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