Former Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon has never been one to shy away from taking a jab at the New York Yankees. However, on Wednesday, he showed a softer side, reaching out to offer support to his former teammate Manny Ramirez, who was recently seen wearing a Yankees hat in a photo that quickly made the rounds online.
Although this was a funny scene, the fact that a former Red Sox player wore a Yankees hat created a stir in the Boston community.
What happened
The photo in question appears to be a screenshot from an Instagram video posted on August 8, where Ramirez, now 52, discussed various Bible verses in spanish. In the video, the retired MLB star is seen wearing a navy hat with “Yankees” written in cursive, sparking surprise and disappointment among Red Sox fans.
Papelbon, known for his fiery personality and competitive spirit, took to social media platform X to comment on the unexpected sighting. “#YankeesSuck Manny lose a bet too?” he wrote. “I’m here if you need to talk and going through a tough time buddy.”
The image of Ramirez in a Yankees hat has raised eyebrows, especially considering his storied history with the Red Sox. Ramirez played for Boston for over seven seasons, becoming one of the most iconic figures in the franchise’s history. Born in the Dominican Republic but raised in New York City, Ramirez attended George Washington High School in Manhattan, a background that some have pointed to as a possible explanation for his choice of headwear.
Despite his New York roots, Ramirez’s long and successful tenure with the Red Sox makes the sight of him in Yankees gear particularly jarring for Boston fans. During his career, he was a 12-time All-Star and won two World Series titles with the Red Sox, cementing his legacy as one of the game’s greats. His 555 career home runs are a testament to his talent and power at the plate.
The reaction from fans on social media was swift and emphatic. One user commented, “Sorry Manny, I can’t listen with that Yankee hat on haha,” while another simply wrote, “Boo Yankees.” Others were left wondering if Ramirez had become a Yankees fan in his retirement, asking, “Manny is a Yankees fan now?”
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