Red Sox

Former Red Sox Manny Ramirez now believes that Dave Roberts … was out at second?

“He was telling everyone he was out and that there was a conspiracy."

By Conor Ryan

April 9, 2024

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Manny Ramirez left an impressive legacy over his eight-year tenure with the Red Sox.

And while most of his contributions in Boston were due to the damage he doled out at the plate, the two-time World Series champion also crafted an extensive highlight reel of logic-defying plays and quotes that became synonymous with his career.

And based on his recent comments, it doesn’t seem like Ramirez has lost his fastball when it comes to getting his teammates to scratch their heads in confusion with some of his musings.

Dozens of the 2004 Red Sox reunited this week ahead of Boston’s Opening Day at Fenway Park on Tuesday. As expected, former Sox shortstop Orlando Cabrera was at a loss after his latest catch-up with Ramirez.

“I want to be in that head for five minutes,” Cabrera said of Ramirez on Tuesday, shaking his own. “I would love to be in that head to see what those thoughts are doing in there. He comes out with some stuff.”

Ramirez’s latest hot take? That Dave Roberts was actually out at second base in Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS against the Yankees.

“He was telling everybody that they went back to the replay and he said that Dave Roberts was out,” Cabrera said. “He was telling everyone he was out and that there was a conspiracy. I was like ‘Dude, what are you talking about?’” That’s Manny. He’s awesome. He’s that guy that’s always going to make you laugh.”

Roberts’ steal in the ninth inning against New York might go down as arguably the most pivotal moment in Red Sox history — given the stakes (and, of course, the end result).

With Boston trailing, 4-3, in the ninth inning of Game 4 and already down, 0-3, in the best-of-seven series, Roberts was called upon by Terry Francona to try and give his team a spark.

Once Kevin Millar walked to lead off the ninth, Roberts took his spot on the basepaths — eventually stealing second just a split-second before the tag from Derek Jeter. Just two pitches later, Bill Mueller singled up the middle, scoring Roberts and knotting the game up at 4-4.

The rest, as they say, is history. 

Granted, Roberts came thiiiiiis close to being tagged out after Jorge Posada fired a strike to Jeter at second base. 

But we’ll just chalk this up to a case of “Manny being Manny,” rather than a major MLB conspiracy.