Manny Ramirez Plays Cricket
GILBERT, Ariz., March 18, 2009 Baseball superstar Manny Ramirez has faced baseballs toughest pitchers, but today he encountered a challenge of a different kind at Nichols Park in Gilbert, Ariz., home to the Arizona Cricket Club. Ramirez was swinging at googlies and grubbers instead of split-finger fast balls in his debut as a cricket batsman to promote DIRECTVs exclusive CricketTicket™ Service. The great slugger hit five of eight pitches from the bowler, including a rocket shot that dispersed a crowd standing behind the bowler.
"I have faced some tough pitchers before, but we dont have to ever swing at a bouncing ball that is rising as it passes us," said Ramirez, who was coached at the event by Australian cricketer Shaun Marsh. "Shaun is a great hitter and he gave me some great pointers. I hadn't watched much cricket in the past, but the game is a lot like baseball. Shaun said I definitely have a future in the game."
Marsh, just 25, is one of the finest young batsmen in Australia and has played for such fabled clubs as Kings XI Punjab and Western Australia. An Australia A representative, Marsh made his first-class debut in 2000-01, and was also part of the Australia Under-19 squad that won the World Cup in 2002. "I am honored to be the one player in the entire world of cricket selected to give Manny some pointers today," said Marsh. "I thoroughly enjoyed coming to the United States and being able to spend some time sharing my passion for the sport with someone who is just as passionate about his sport as Manny is. Maybe he can return the favor next Spring."
