The 12-time All-Star and 2004 World Series MVP tormented the Yankees on numerous occasions, showcasing his offensive power. Over 203 games against them, Ramirez batted .322 with 55 home runs and 165 RBIs, consistently proving to be a threat at the plate.

Despite his history against New York, Manny Ramirez recently made a surprising admission—he has always felt a special affinity for the Yankees. “I’m always a Yankee fan,” Ramirez said on The Bronx Zoo podcast this week.

A surprising confession from Manny Ramirez

Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Ramirez moved to the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City as a teenager, where he emerged as one of baseball’s top prospects while playing for George Washington High School in Upper Manhattan. “I went to school in New York. That was one of my dreams, to play with the Yankees,” Ramirez said. “Didn’t happen, but I got two World Series.”

Despite his battles with the Yankees, Ramirez acknowledged that he always enjoyed playing in New York. “The Yankees fans are the best,” he said. “They demand a lot, like Boston fans, because they want to win, and we [wanted] to win also.”

A legacy in Boston

While Ramirez has a deep connection to New York, his greatest achievements came with the Red Sox. Between 2001 and 2008, he amassed a .312/.411/.588 slash line with 274 home runs and 868 RBIs, securing his place in Red Sox history as a Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer. His contributions earned him a spot in the team’s Hall of Fame in 2022. “It was awesome,” Ramirez told The Boston Globe after being honored at Fenway Park.

Soto’s deal, reportedly worth over $765 million, makes him the highest-paid player in MLB history. With this historic signing, the Mets have sent a strong message about their intent to win it all in 2025. Alongside Soto, the Mets have strengthened their roster with other All-Star talents and were serious contenders in the pursuit of Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki.

With such high-profile moves, fans are expecting big things from Soto in the upcoming season. The eight-year deal positions him to potentially become one of the greatest players in Mets history. Soto has often spoken about the players who inspired him, and during the lead-up to the 2023 World Baseball Classic, he shared his admiration for two MLB icons.

“My favorite players of all time? Actually, there are two, and one is here (laughs). Robinson Cano and Manny Ramirez,” Soto revealed in an interview with MLB’s social media team. His comments highlight the connection he feels to past Dominican stars, drawing comparisons to other legends like Sammy Sosa.

Sosa vs. Ramirez: A tale of Dominican legends

When comparing two of the greatest Dominican players in MLB history, Sammy Sosa and Manny Ramirez, the conversation goes beyond favoritism. A closer look at their stats reveals notable differences, but one thing is clear: both players have cemented their legacies as baseball icons.

Ramirez, a 12-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, stands out as one of the best to ever represent the Dominican Republic in the MLB. Despite never winning an MVP award, he was a nine-time consecutive MVP finalist, showcasing his consistent dominance. Statistically, Ramirez hit an impressive 555 home runs, recorded 2,574 hits, and scored 1,544 runs throughout his illustrious career.

On the other hand, Sosa’s accolades speak volumes. A six-time All-Star, Sosa captured the National League MVP award, was named MLB Player of the Year, won a Home Run Derby title, and secured six Silver Slugger awards. His career numbers are equally remarkable, with 609 home runs, 2,408 hits, and 1,475 runs scored.

Could Soto become the greatest Dominican player of all time?

As we consider the next generation of Dominican stars, Soto emerges as a strong contender for the title of the greatest Dominican player in MLB history. At just 26 years old, Soto has already achieved milestones that rival those of the legends before him.

To date, Soto has been named to four All-Star teams, won a World Series title, claimed a Home Run Derby championship, and secured a batting title. Additionally, he has been in the MVP conversation six times, coming closest in 2021 when he finished as a runner-up. His current career stats include 201 home runs, 934 hits, and 655 runs scored.

While Soto’s on-field performance is already elite, his impact goes beyond statistics. As he continues to build on his career, he has the potential to redefine what it means to be the best Dominican player in MLB history.