Yankees surprise on cards as Red Sox icon open to hitting coach job

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NEW YORK — The Yankees could pull off one of the most surprising hires in baseball.

Red Sox legend Manny Ramirez announced this week that he wants to join a Major League team in a coaching role. His agent has contacted all 30 clubs, including the Yankees, who are scouting their next hitting coach.

What makes the story even more striking is Ramirez’s recent revelation about his baseball roots. The 2004 World Series MVP told The Bronx Zoo YouTube channel that he grew up as a Yankees fan. The statement shocked Red Sox supporters since Ramirez helped Boston end its 86-year championship drought by defeating the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS, one of baseball’s most historic turnarounds.

“I’m always a Yankee fan,” Ramirez said during a signing event in February 2025. “I went to school in New York. That was one of my dreams, to play with the Yankees. It didn’t happen, but I got two World Series.”

Timing could be perfect for Yankees

The Yankees just wrapped up a frustrating 2025 campaign that ended in the ALDS. After another early postseason exit, the front office made swift staff changes, dismissing bullpen coach Mike Harkey and first base coach Travis Chapman. More changes could follow as the offseason unfolds.

Current Yankees hitting coach James Rowson has permission to interview for the Minnesota Twins’ managerial opening. If Rowson accepts the job, the Yankees will need a new hitting coach. That vacancy could create an opportunity for Ramirez.

The timing of Ramirez’s announcement added intrigue. His agent, Hector Zepeda, made the news public on October 16, only days after the Yankees’ playoff elimination. “He wants to bring his greatness to teach the young guys,” Zepeda told New York Post columnist Jon Heyman.

New York roots run deep

Ramirez was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and moved to Manhattan at age 13. He attended George Washington High School in New York City, where his hitting ability made him a local sensation. Those early years cemented his connection to the Yankees and the city.

When asked whether he would have joined the Yankees before the 2004 season, Ramirez didn’t hesitate. “Of course,” he said.

The Yankees had pursued Ramirez in free agency before he signed with Boston in 2001. That choice shifted the balance of power in the American League East. Ramirez became the centerpiece of Boston’s offense, helping them win two championships. The Yankees saw their dominance challenged for the first time in years.

The baseball resume speaks volumes

Ramirez played 19 seasons in the majors and built a career worthy of Hall of Fame discussion. He finished with a .312 batting average, 555 home runs, and 1,831 RBI. His home run total ranks 15th all time, and his RBI mark ranks 20th.

He earned 12 All-Star selections and won nine Silver Slugger Awards. Ramirez collected two World Series rings with the Red Sox and captured MVP honors in the 2004 Fall Classic. In 111 postseason games, he hit .285 with a .937 OPS and 29 home runs. His ability to produce under pressure defined his career.

Before joining Boston, Ramirez spent eight seasons with the Cleveland Indians. His time in Boston featured some of the most iconic moments in team history, including the 2004 comeback from a 3-0 series deficit against the Yankees. After leaving the Red Sox, Ramirez played for the Dodgers, White Sox, and Rays, helping Los Angeles reach consecutive National League Championship Series in 2008 and 2009.

Yankees fans embrace past rivalries

Ramirez’s latest comments deepened the intrigue between the Yankees and Red Sox. He offered praise for Yankees fans, comparing them to those in Boston.

“The Yankees fans are the best,” Ramirez said. “They demand a lot, like Boston fans, because they want to win and we want to win also.”

Those words reveal his understanding of the Yankees’ culture. The Bronx crowd expects success every year and accepts nothing less than a championship standard. Ramirez’s appreciation for that mindset shows he knows what it takes to perform under such scrutiny.

The PED cloud remains

Any conversation about Ramirez includes his performance-enhancing drug history. He tested positive three times during his career. The first violation came in 2009 with the Dodgers, resulting in a 50-game suspension. Another test in 2011 led him to retire rather than serve a 100-game ban.

Those incidents have kept Ramirez out of the Hall of Fame and may make some teams hesitate before offering a coaching role. Still, baseball has granted second chances to players who show accountability. Ramirez has expressed regret about his decisions and spoken openly about how they affected his life and family.

In 2022, Ramirez said those experiences changed his outlook, helping him focus on mentoring young players and promoting discipline on and off the field. That shift in attitude could appeal to a Yankees organization that values structure and professionalism.

Previous coaching experience exists

Ramirez already has some coaching experience. In 2014, he served as a player-coach for the Iowa Cubs, Chicago’s Triple-A affiliate, and returned in 2015 as a hitting consultant. He also spoke with the Red Sox about joining their staff, but those discussions never materialized. Boston instead hired Pete Fatse from Driveline Baseball, who remains the team’s hitting coach through 2026.

“I can teach hitting, I just need the opportunity,” Ramirez said on Foul Territory in September 2025. “To be honest, I spoke to Boston last year. We were talking a little bit, and I know they hired a guy from Driveline. We were talking, but then we never got back to getting serious about it.”

Yankees offense needs fresh approach

The Yankees finished the 2025 season with strong offensive numbers overall but struggled with fundamentals. Poor base running and missed chances in clutch situations hurt them throughout October. The front office wants a new voice who can refine the team’s approach and improve situational hitting.

Ramirez built his career on timely hitting and strike zone discipline. His ability to work counts and deliver in big moments defined his offensive philosophy. Those qualities could make him an appealing candidate for a Yankees lineup that often relies too heavily on power.

It remains unclear if the Yankees will seriously consider Ramirez for the job. A Red Sox legend coaching in the Bronx would send shockwaves through the baseball world. It would also create one of the most memorable twists in the sport’s greatest rivalry.

The Yankees have not commented on their coaching search. They could promote someone from within or target a candidate with recent major league coaching experience. Yet, baseball loves stories of redemption, and Ramirez returning to MLB as a Yankees coach would be one of the most compelling of all.

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