48-year-old Manny Ramirez is back in baseball Down Under

Manny Ramirez — yes, that Manny Ramirez — is back in baseball Down Under. w 48-year-old former Boston Red Sox legend and 12-time Major League Baseball all-star is scheduled to begin season on Thursday for Sydney Blue Sox in Australian Baseball League. Sydney manr Shane Barclay said two-time World Series winner’s preparation for season — his team opens season against defending champion Melbourne Aces — could t be faulted.

“We knew re’d be a Manny show but it’s been a pleasure,” Barclay said Wednesday. “ buy-in from him (Ramirez) has been magnificent and just watching him swing a bat, you’re going ‘re’s way this guy is 48’.“He’s an incredible athlete. He’s legit and here to play and bought in in every way. He’s going to hit some long balls this season.” Ramirez, who was World Series MVP when Red Sox broke ir 86-year title drought in 2004, has played in American mir leagues, as well as in China and Japan, since his MLB career ended.

In 2009, Ramirez was suspended for 50 games for violating baseball’s drug policy. In 2011, Ramirez was informed by MLB of ar violation of its drug policy and a 100-game suspension but he later appealed and ban was reduced to 50 games.Ramirez has been joined in Sydney by New York Yankees hitting coach Rachel Balkovec on an off-season assignment. Balkovec is first woman to perform that role in MLB.

Injuries hit Sydney hard at end of last season as y missed playoffs, winning just five of ir last 22 games.“ culture that has been created this year is five steps up (on last season),” Barclay said. “It doesn’t win you an ABL trophy but it gives us foundation we need to be kcking on door most years. We’re a new club.”

(Im Credit: AP)