MLB Twitter roasts Jeff Frye after former Red Sox criticizes Manny Ramirez's son for walk-off home run celebration

David Suggs

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MLB Twitter roasts Jeff Frye after former Red Sox criticizes Manny Ramirez's son for walk-off home run celebration image

With the fall of the infield shift, the advent of the "ghost" runner and the much-heralded pitch clock, it's clear that baseball is evolving. Not only is the game played at a quicker pace nowadays, but it also has its own rhythm, one that has swept the majors and little league fields alike with impressive efficiency.

Most have embraced such modernity, but there are still scatterings of those who would prefer the game remain in the Dark Ages.

The schism between the old guard and the new reared its ugly head once more on Monday when former Red Sox slugger Jeff Frye criticized a high schooler for showing excitement after hitting a walk-off home run.

Now, this was no ordinary prep student. Rather, it was Lucas Ramirez, son of former Boston icon Manny Ramirez. Lucas has gained quite the reputation over the course of his young career, with some believing he could reach similar heights to his famous father.

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The rocket he sent into orbit during the 2023 World Wood Bat Association semifinals seemed to indicate as much. Ramirez got hold of a pitch on the inner half and deposited it into the great beyond, treating the rubber and cork globe like cannon fodder in the process.

Like any walk-off dinger, Ramirez was happy. He posed in delight as the ball twirled towards the stars, his left-handed strut sharing a striking number of similarities with Ken Griffey Jr.

But that was just too much for Frye, who decided to get in touch with his inner Ebenezer Scrooge when he saw the highlight pop up on social media.

"I'm sure this young man has a bright future," Frye wrote. "But I played against his dad who was a great hitter and I never saw him do this."

Perhaps Frye should've looked harder. Because many of the elder Ramirez's 555 jacks were pimped out.

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Notably, there was his moonshot vs. the Angels in Game 2 of the 2007 ALDS. Ramirez sent Francisco Rodriguez's fastball ball cratering toward the heavens. He did it in style, too, stretching his arms above his head while his shot soared into the clouds.

If that wasn't enough for doubters, how about this: in Game 3 of the 2005 ALDS, the Red Sox were trailing the White Sox, Ramirez got good wood on a changeup outside and just as the ball rumbled towards the concourses, Manny decided to undo his batting gloves.

Then, he did it again. Check it out:

Frye was not cooking at all. And the internet let him know it, sending a torrent of Ramirez mashes to remind him just who his father was. 

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Manny Ramirez kids

The elder Ramirez has three sons, all of whom are involved in the sport their father grew up dominating. His oldest, Manny Jr., enjoyed a three-year career at the University of San Francisco before turning out for the New Britain Bees of the Independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

Middle child Manuelito, better known as "Manny" was the No. 387 ranked outfielder in high school baseball, per Perfect Game. The Weston, Fla., native committed to Tallahassee Community College last year and just completed his freshman year.

Then, there's the youngest, Lucas. The outfielder/first baseman is committed to play collegiately at Tennessee and already has developed a frame that would excite even the most dour of MLB scouts. His baseball journey is only just getting started.

But if his recent exploits are anything to go by, Lucas could be following closely in his father's footsteps when it's all said and done.

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.