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December 8, 2011

Our Opinion: Who would have guessed?

Much has been revealed during the baseball winter meeting in Dallas this past week. The Miami Marlins seem to be in hot pursuit of all the big name players to fill their new stadium, Manny Ramirez announced he would like to return to Major League Basbeall, Pedro Martínez announced he plans to officially retire, elections have been held and it appears former Red Sox manager Terry Francona is swapping places with the franchise’s new manager Bobby Valentine.

The Marlins made a deal with shortstop Jose Reyes on the eve of the Winter Meetings and are rapidly after Albert Pujols. Team officials contacted the All-Star shortstop as soon as the window to negotiate opened. It is clear this team means business.

We could not make this up. When next season rolls around, Francona will be working as an analyst on ESPN’s weekly game broadcast as well as in the network’s “Baseball Tonight” studios. Both roles were occupied last season by Valentine, who was officially hired to fill Francona’s old gig at Fenway Park last week. Francona’s move to the Worldwide Leader was announced at the winter meetings in Dallas on Monday night, completing what is perhaps the first broadcaster- for-manager swap in sports history.

Many baseball fans thought they were done hearing the expression “Manny being Manny,” but that may not be the case. The left fielder/designated hitter hopes to swing the bat once more after being drug tested into retirement last April. If a club signs him, Ramirez will be eligible to play after a 50-game suspension -- down from his original 100-game ban, under baseball’s drug testing program.

Three-time Cy Young Award winner Martinez has more or less been retired, not haven played in a few years. Martinez last played in the majors in 2009 with the Phillies. Yup, it is about time the 40-year-old throws in the towel.

Former third baseman Ron Santo was elected into the Hall of Fame through the Golden Era Committee one year after his death. Many believe it should have happened earlier. His widow, Vicki, said it was his wish to have it happen during his lifetime, but unfortunately it was not meant to be.

“It was always his dream and to have it happen even after his passing shows you can’t give up, and that is what Ron was all about,” she said.

Santo had the numbers, according to teammate and one of the committee members, Billy Williams. He said the committee saw Santo in a new light this time around by really looking at his character qualities.

This year’s Taylor Spink Award goes to writer, columnist and ambassador for baseball and Canada Bob Elliott. The 2012 Ford C. Frick Award winner is Tim McCarver. We look forward to seeing all the electees, their fans and families in Cooperstown.

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