Wednesday’s Morning Mashup: Manny Ramirez reportedly has deal to play in Taiwan

Welcome to Wednesday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

WEDNESDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
NBA: Warriors at Knicks, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
NBA: Nuggets at Trail Blazers, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN)
College basketball: Boston College at NC State, 8 p.m. (MyTV; WEEI-AM)
College basketball: Michigan at Penn State, 6:30 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
College basketball: Georgetown at UConn, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
College basketball: Oklahoma at TCU, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
College basketball: Saint Joseph’s at Saint Louis, 8 p.m. (CBSSN)
College basketball: Purdue at Iowa, 8:30 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
College basketball: Oklahoma State at Texas, 9 p.m. (ESPN2)
College basketball: Louisville at DePaul, 9 p.m. (ESPNU)
College basketball: San Diego State at New Mexico, 10:15 p.m. (CBSSN)
College basketball: Colorado at Stanford, 11 p.m. (ESPN2)
College basketball: Saint Mary’s at Pepperdine, 11 p.m. (ESPNU)
NHL: Capitals at Flyers, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN)
NHL: Red Wings at Kings, 10 p.m. (NBCSN)
MLB preseason: Red Sox at Orioles, 7:05 p.m. (NESN)
MLB preseason: Cardinals at Mets, 1 p.m. (MLB Network)
MLB preseason: Giants at Angels, 4 p.m. (MLB Network)

AROUND THE WEB:

Manny Ramirez has not been able to find a major league team willing to give him an opportunity. (AP)

♦ Former Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez reportedly has an agreement to play with the EDA Rhinos of Taiwan in the China Professional League if he can’t find a major league team willing to give him a look by March 7. Ramirez told ESPN Deportes that his agents have called almost every American League team in an attempt to land a spot as a designated hitter, but he’s found no takers.

The Chinese league, in existence since 1989, consists of four teams that play in front of crowds averaging 3,000. Foreign-born players reportedly earn up to $12,000 per month.

Ramirez, who turns 41 in May, last played in the majors with the Rays in 2011, going 1-for-17 before quitting and then receiving his second PED-related suspension. He signed with the Athletics last spring but was released after a brief stint in the minors.

A 12-time All-Star, Ramirez has a career batting line of .312/.411/.585 with 555 home runs. He was the World Series MVP for the Red Sox in 2004.

♦ In other news involving former Red Sox stars, new Yankees third baseman Kevin Youkilis was scratched from the lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Phillies in Clearwater, Fla., after feeling discomfort on the left side. The Yankees announced that Youkilis had a sore left oblique muscle, although Youkilis said it was a hydration issue.

“Just one of those things where after I swung [Monday]. It was hot, I was dehydrated. I got water, and I was fine. Being a month away from games, they want to take it precautionary. I wanted to play [Tuesday], and I was perfectly fine to play. I didn’t feel like there was any risk,” Youkilis said. “The doctor said very, very mild. Just a little thing that happens. I think I learned my lesson, too. Don’t say you’re tight.”

Added Youkilis: “I’ve had an oblique before. It didn’t feel anything like that. It’s basically like you get a cramp in your side.”

Manager Joe Girardi said he will talk to Youkilis about being honest with the training staff, and he said he’ll need to be convinced Youkilis is healthy before putting him in the lineup for Wednesday’s game.

“We will make him go through hoops,” Girardi said.

♦ The soccer team Inter Milan was fined 50,000 Euros ($66,500) by the Serie A league for its fans’ racist behavior toward AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli during Sunday night’s game, in the latest embarrassing display of racism involving an Italian club.

A section of fans hurled “racially discriminatory chants” toward Balotelli — the son of Ghanian parents who was born and raised in Italy — and some Inter supporters were waving inflatable bananas, insulting another AC Milan black player, displaying offensive banners and shining lasers toward the eyes of players.

The 22-year-old Balotelli, who played for Inter from 2006-10, was fined 10,000 Euros ($13,300) for making an insulting gesture toward the Inter fans on his way off the field at the end of the 1-1 tie — although it’s not clear what he did other than hold a finger to his lips in an apparent sign of quieting the fans.

Inter was fined earlier this month after fans sang racist chants about Balotelli during a victory over Chievo. Balotelli was acquired by AC Milan from Manchester City in January.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA (answer below): On Feb. 27, 1983, which Bruin recorded two goals and an assist in a 4-3 victory over the Whalers in Hartford and in the process became the sixth player to score 250 goals in a Bruins uniform?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I could play for the worst team if they paid the most. … If the last-place team offers $200 million and the first-place team offers $10, I’m going to go for the $200-million no matter what team it was.” – New Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke, on how he approached free agency this offseason

STAT OF THE DAY: 7 – Times this season the No. 1-ranked college basketball team has been defeated, including Tuesday night, when Indiana dropped a 77-73 decision at Minnesota

‘NET RESULTS (mobile users, check the website to see the videos): The Warriors and Pacers mix it up during their game Tuesday night in Indianapolis. Pacers center Roy Hibbert was ejected for his role in the melee.

From the same game, Steph Curry puts an ankle-breaking move on George Hill.

TRIVIA ANSWER: Rick Middleton

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Josh Groban was born on this day in 1981.

4 Comments for “Wednesday’s Morning Mashup: Manny Ramirez reportedly has deal to play in Taiwan”

1. Chris Says:
   February 27th, 2013 at 8:06 am

   Umm…actually Mike Lowell was the MVP in 2007 WS not Manny.

2. Robert Says:
   February 27th, 2013 at 9:15 am

   They saud 2004

3. psycho1039 Says:
   February 27th, 2013 at 10:24 am

   ummm…actually…read the article Chris

4. Chris Says:
   February 27th, 2013 at 10:44 am

   The beauty of editing…
   it originally said “He was the World Series MVP for the Red Sox in both 2004 and 2007″

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