Becoming Manny: Inside the Life of Baseball's Most Enigmatic Slugger

This book explains why Manny is Manny. It really gave me a lot of understanding of the man and his background.

I greatly enjoyed this book, in part because it's about so much more than just baseball. For example, it discusses the importance of having a mentor in life (a special area of expertise for co-author Jean Rhodes) and the history and culture of Washington Heights, where Manny's family settled. There's also a section on the pathology of shyness that effects Manny and influences the way we regard him. And then there's all the baseball, too! I recommend this book highly.

The first thing any potential reader should be made aware of is that Manny Ramirez *AUTHORIZED" this biography. So many "star" based biographies are written without the subjects' approval and assistance. The reclusive Manny participated in the creation of this book... even though he was late... or missed... some of the meetings. There are in depth interviews with Manny's Grandmother, Mother, sisters, teammates, coaches and managers... and so much of the subject matter revolves around Manny's greatest confidant... his friend to this day... and former Little League coach, Carlos Ferreira... known by all who know and love him... as "Macaco"... Spanish for "Little Monkey". As all baseball fans know... Manny is a surefire Hall Of Famer... and perhaps the greatest right handed hitter of all-time. His complete baseball career from Little League to YSL to George Washington High School in New York... to his meteoric rise through the Cleveland Indians farm system... to his Major League All Star career with the Indians... Boston Red Sox... and Los Angeles Dodgers... is all covered within these pages. But what makes this book so much more than simply a baseball book... is the outstanding in- depth look... at this world-renowned player... who is so well described by the phrase: "THAT'S JUST MANNY BEING MANNY!"... when he's off the field. Manny's family's story... before he became a baseball star... could just as easily been about any of the hundreds of thousands of other Dominican families that immigrated to New York. The authors peel back the character traits that now define Manny... and dig deep... historically... culturally... and environmentally... and the reader... perhaps for the very first time... learns how Manny "really" became Manny. Most fans probably don't realize how shy and timid Manny was. Among other things... the language barrier... heaped on top of his natural shyness... made him stand offish. His Mother worked all day in a factory... and his Father was not an instrumental part of his life. And this next statement will probably make most baseball fan's head snap back... Manny didn't have any confidence in himself. Even when he was a teenager with scouts saying he was the greatest player they ever saw. Most of today's fans just see the funny and controversial Manny. Some wonder how he hits so well? After reading this book... no one will have even the slightest doubt... as to why he's so successful. MANNY WORKS HARDER... AND IS MORE DEDICATED... THAN ALMOST ANY PLAYER I'VE HEARD ABOUT IN MY LIFETIME... and he's been that way since childhood. Living amidst the poverty... in Washington Heights New York... he would get up 4:30 in the morning... rain... shine... or snow... and run up Snake Hill... DRAGGING A TIRE FROM HIS WAIST! "Snake Hill rose more than two hundred feet from the western edge of Washington Heights, near sea level, to one of the highest points in Manhattan." If he had a game at 5:00pm... he was there taking hitting practice at

How did Manny become Manny? The authors take a variety of lenses--psychological, cultural, and yes, of course, a sports perspective-- to shed light on what makes this baseball genius--sometimes exasperating but always intriguing--tick. Beautifully written, this is a must read for both sports fans and anyone who appreciates a good biography.

Controversy about Manny is always roiling baseball fandom, and yet he remains the calm eye of the storm. If you are looking for an anti-Manny screed or a pro-Manny apologia, look elsewhere. If you want interesting stories you've never heard, and insightful analyses, buy this book!