Ramirez returns to roots

0 Comments | USA TODAY, October, 2007 | by Bob Nightengale

CLEVELAND -- Manny Ramirez yelled across the Boston Red Sox clubhouse before the American League Championship Series started and asked reserve infielder Royce Clayton for his Social Security number.

Clayton remembers looking at him as if he were crazy. "My Social Security number?" Clayton said in disbelief. "What? What do you want that for Manny?"

"I'm going to use you as a write-off," Ramirez said according to Clayton. "You come over to my house and eat my mom's cooking so often, I'm going to put you down on my taxes."

Yep, Manny being Manny.

Ten years ago, Ramirez, wouldn't have known a write-off from a walk-off. Now the left fielder is trying to help lead the Boston Red Sox to a World Series title for the second time in four years. ...