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Big League Stew - MLB

Big League Stew

Fri Mar 27, 2009 1:26 pm EDT

Marlins find themselves in a hairy situation with Hanley Ramirez

By 'Duk

It's funny. Before this morning, I assumed everyone in the Marlins' organization was only operating under two main rules:

1. Make sure everything goes right with the newly-approved stadium in Miami.

2. Do NOT, under any circumstances, anger star shortstop Hanley Ramirez, the team's only real long-term investment.

Turns out I was wrong on that second account, because the franchise's golden calf has been disturbed and the Miami media believes his .091 average this spring may be a reflection of his mood.

What's the beef? Well, Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez recently forced all of his long-haired players, including Ramirez, into an impromptu date with the clubhouse hairdresser. He also banned any jewelry worn onfield by Ramirez or any of his teammates.  

"We want to look professional," Gonzalez told the Sun-Sentinel. "Nice and neat."

Only problem was that Ramirez, ranked first overall in Yahoo!'s fantasy baseball game, didn't take kindly to having his shortish dreads shorn off or his chain yanked off his neck. Once the media entered the Marlins' clubhouse on Thursday, Ramirez made sure he was seen sporting a strong message — "I'm sick of this ****" — written in Sharpie across his chest. 

"I'm angry," he told reporters. "I want to be traded ... It's incredible. We're big leaguers."

Ramirez was said to have later calmed down after meeting with team president David Samson and general manager Larry Beinfest, but you have to wonder why Gonzalez decided to upset Ramirez in the first place. Sure, Gonzalez is known for running a tight ship — he once offered to buy his players iPods so he could quiet the clubhouse stereo —  and Ramirez didn't exactly handle his counterprotest in the best manner.

But what's with Gonzalez's Steinbrenneresque thirst for a close crop? It's not like Ramirez's hair was even that long. The above picture was taken on Feb. 27 and it looks like he still means business. It looks like a normal haircut for someone who is 25 years old. 

But, really, here's the bottom line: Considering the numbers Ramirez put up in '08 — 33 homers and 34 doubles with a .400 OBP — there are 29 other MLB managers who would love to have Ramirez, even if he showed up to camp looking like Larry Fitzgerald or Oscar Gamble. 

Gonzalez should be no different.


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2463 Comments

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  1. Vaffanculo
    1. Posted by Vaffanculo Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:46 pm EDT

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    Best looking team to finish in last place?
  2. DCwhiteowl
    2. Posted by DCwhiteowl Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:59 pm EDT

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    I hate all of this "cleaning up" the sports image stuff. Like basketball players having to dress a certain way before games. Times have changed old timers. Let people wear what they want. But then again pay me afew million and i'll dress in whatever you ask me too.
  3. spewing_venom619
    3. Posted by spewing_venom619 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:12 pm EDT

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    Like the manager said, "We're professionals." Act like one Hanley. You want to look like a thug, get a record deal with DefJam Records.
  4. Reverend Dan-O
    4. Posted by Reverend Dan-O Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:37 pm EDT

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    clean it up, or get the*** out! Oh, I'm so sorry your the 1st ranked fantasy player in MLB. Wear a garbage bag and a tutu, just keep knocking the ball otta the park.
  5. Saro G
    5. Posted by Saro G Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:46 pm EDT

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    The Red Sox do have a lot of young pitchers and Theo always hated the fact ownership traded Hanley away during his absence...
  6. Hambone
    6. Posted by Hambone Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

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    They're professionals, not soldiers. Baseball is a very mental and emotional game. While letting a team be too unruly can damage focus, imposing too many rules will create unnecessary stress, which can have basically the same effect. There are a lot of professionals out there in a lot of fields whose employers don't care about how long their hair is or whether they're wearing jewelry. As long as they meet the basic standards of professional dress (i.e. wear their uniform) and perform their job to expectation, there should be no problem.
    And @ spewing_venom: Quit it with the high-and-mighty "look like a thug" talk. Plenty of guys with braided hair are upstanding citizens, and plenty of guys with crew cuts are going to prison.
  7. Awesome Possum
    7. Posted by Awesome Possum Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:44 pm EDT

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    "Like the manager said, "We're professionals." Act like one Hanley. You want to look like a thug, get a record deal with DefJam Records."
    Baseball is entertainment. Players are not salesmen or insurance provider or god forbid bankers. In fact, the more outlandish the player, the more people will watch, the more money you'll make.
    Yes you are professional, but in baseball, it's not how you dress and have your hair that shows you are professional. It's coming on time for you drills, going the extra mile on every drill, batting practice, video tapes, note taking, etc... as long as you do that, you can come dressed with a skirt for all I care.
    And being the best player IS relevent. He goes about his business professionally enough THAT HE IS THE BEST PLAYER (ARGUABLY) IN THE LEAGUE! You can't be one of the best if you aren't taking your job seriously.
    I say leave his hair alone. I never understood clothes guidelines in major league sports. OK, I understand if you are attending an event but other than that? It's dumb.
  8. Awesome Possum
    8. Posted by Awesome Possum Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:44 pm EDT

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    Well said Hambone. Better than i could've said.
  9. mikey
    9. Posted by mikey Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:41 pm EDT

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    Come back to Boston Hanley!! You would just look normal here and you can just be yourself........
  10. rexdeaz
    10. Posted by rexdeaz Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:37 pm EDT

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    This would make sense if the Marlins had a tradition of doing things this way, but they don't. His team was professional last year, what makes 2009 so much different?
  11. This is Dave, Hello There!
    11. Posted by This is Dave, Hello There! Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:42 pm EDT

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    Hairey Ramirez
  12. Mendoza Line
    12. Posted by Mendoza Line Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:25 pm EDT

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    Wow, nice to see at least ONE team out there is sinking faster than my Rockies. I congratulate you, Marlins. With any luck, your Hanley golden goose will shoot out rotten eggs this year with these types of rules.
  13. Mikey S
    13. Posted by Mikey S Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:20 pm EDT

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    if Fredi had said "everyone get your haircut and no jewelry on the field, except for you Hanley, you can do whatever you want" it'd be worse for team morale, if hanley cared about the team he'd do what his manager asked of him rather be seen as favourite of the manager and ostracized by his team mates for being supposedly superior to them.
  14. Deker
    14. Posted by Deker Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:31 pm EDT

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    I love how people every year think the Marlins will finish in last place. Then every year they "surprise" everyone with their gritty play and end up around 3rd or 4th place. I think they will have more wins than the Braves or Nats.
  15. Jay Mac
    15. Posted by Jay Mac Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:29 pm EDT

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    Its silly when Old men try to force their style on young men.
    Presenting yourself professionally is very important, but I think that they all wear the same professional MLB uniform works fine by itself.
  16. Jeffrey M
    16. Posted by Jeffrey M Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    are you kidding me? i am tired of these "professional" athletes and their temper tantrums. oh i'm sorry you make half a million dollars to play a game and you have to cut your hair. oh bit f***ing deal! you poor poor baby! i would dress/cut my hair any way i was asked if i made that kind of money. so suck it hanley. i don't care how talented you are. stop taking lessons from that big baby Jay Cutler and GROW UP!
  17. Wang Chung
    17. Posted by Wang Chung Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:12 pm EDT

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    Hrm; apparently the manager has control issues. He should talk to Scott Skiles and ask how that worked out for him.
  18. Sascha
    18. Posted by Sascha Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:35 pm EDT

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    29 except for Steinbrenner, that is.
  19. C Money
    19. Posted by C Money Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:26 pm EDT

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    Hanley needs to understand that being "Big Leaguers" means a heck of a lot more than wearing your hair longer than the team wants and sporting the bling-bling. Honestly, if that is his reaction to the enforcement of team rules, then he is nothing but a spoiled punk.
  20. svtowner96
    20. Posted by svtowner96 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:50 pm EDT

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    COME BACK TO THE RED SOX!!!! Lugo SUCKS!!! And we all know lowrie isn't john Valentin or Nomar in there prime. Hanley should be in BOSTON!!!!
    p.s.
    World F**ing CHAMPIONS!!!!
  21. met fan
    21. Posted by met fan Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:27 pm EDT

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    brown nosers - those of you who say for such and such money I would do anything I am asked to do- tools may be more appropriate
  22. Shirley
    22. Posted by Shirley Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:13 pm EDT

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    hey people hair shouldnt matter let people be who they wanna be regardless of how much money they are earning this sounds like the hippies of 60s and 70s where u couldnt get a job unless u conformed to these communists rules thats bull and every one knows it so just let people and the playersbe its not like hes a convicted murderer or a bank robber if u believe in long hair then dont be afraid to stand up 4 what u believe in
  23. met fan
    23. Posted by met fan Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:27 pm EDT

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    brown nosers - those of you who say for such and such money I would do anything I am asked to do- tools may be more appropriate
  24. LPD
    24. Posted by LPD Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:21 pm EDT

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    Manager should have set a limit.......beyond what his players already had. But Ramirez's reaction also makes him look childish and mentality behind his physical talents. Two wrongs don't make it right.

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Big League Stew is an MLB blog edited by Kevin Kaduk. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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