


The Cleveland Guardians’ ownership did not get the welcome they were expecting on Saturday.
Prior to the team’s game against the Tigers, the franchise honored Manny Ramirez in somewhat of a strange ceremony that was partially overshadowed by loud jeering for Guardians owners Paul and Karen Dolan.
As Dolan’s name was called by the stadium announcer to hand Ramirez an honorary trophy, boos flooded the stadium, heckling the notoriously cheap owner.
Ramirez, who spent his first eight years in MLB with Cleveland when the team was known as the Indians, is also known for his early 2000s prime with the Red Sox.
The nine-time Silver Slugger outfielder, who hit 236 home runs with a .998 OPS with the Guardians and compiled four All-Star berths, said he was grateful for the team’s recognition.
“This is a special day for me and my family and for my other family here in Cleveland,” Ramirez said.
“I was just a little kid when I got out of New York, just excited to show what I could do. And I came, and you guys took this little kid from New York and introduced him to your family, and he became one of the best players in the game.
“Thank you for allowing me to be in the Hall of Fame in Cleveland. it’s an honor for me to be in this beautiful family.”
Sandy Alomar Jr. and Carlos Baerga presented Ramirez with a Guardians Hall of Fame jacket after his brief speech.
Fans were clearly frustrated with the Guardians, who are 59-65 and have the 26th most expensive roster in MLB with a $89 million payroll.
Cleveland has never been a high-spending team, but perhaps fan frustration has reached a high after the team went 92-70 with a division title last year and now looks destined to miss the playoffs.