BY ADAM RONIS
Manny Ramirez will make the owners that took a risk on him very happy this year. I'm not going to get too crazy because it is just one game. You know it's way too early when Jack Hannahan is tied for the major-league lead in home runs.
Ramirez had a decline in numbers last season because of injuries. He had a much better second half after a .284 average, 11 HRs and 45 RBIs in 303 at-bats. He went .317, 9 HRs and 43 RBIs in the second half in just 180 at-bats. Man-Ram was also scorching in the postseason with a .348 average, 4 HRs and 16 RBIs in 46 at-bats.
Man-Ram is one of the best hitters of this generation. He is playing for a new contract or for the Red Sox to pick up his option. He might not hit 40 HRs again, but he is being selected in rounds 3-5 and he could prove to be a huge steal. He went 2-for-5 with four RBIs this morning against the A's. This is also bad news for Mike Lowell, who capitalized on Man-Ram's poor season with 120 RBIs.