Low & Outside: AL Notes

By Phil Anastasia

Inquirer Staff Writer

A simple man

Manny Ramirez doesn't ask for much. A few fastballs a night out over the plate. Some peace and quiet in the outfield. An answer or two from Red Sox management.

"I want no more [nonsense] where they tell you one thing and behind your back they do another thing," Ramirez told the Boston Herald.

Ramirez said he wanted to sit down with Boston management and discuss his future. The Red Sox hold one-year options on Ramirez for 2009 and 2010, at $20 million each. If they don't pick up the option for 2009, Ramirez becomes a free agent.

Red Sox principal owner John Henry was shocked - shocked! - to hear that Ramirez thinks the organization says one thing and does another.

"I find remarks that we have been anything other than completely straightforward to be personally offensive," Henry wrote in an e-mail to the Herald.

A simple game

Pitching.

That's really what this here game is all about.

Exhibit A: the Angels.

Los Angeles is 11th in the American League in batting average (.257) and runs (409), 12th in on-base percentage (.318), and 13th in walks (270). The Angels don't hit for power, either, ranking ninth in home runs (83).

But they have the best record in the league and are tied with the Cubs for the best record in baseball (57-38) for one reason: pitching.

The rotation of John Lackey, Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders, Jon Garland and Jered Weaver might be the best in baseball, and the bullpen might be even better.

Set-up men Scot Shields (4-2, 3.11 ERA) and Jose Arrendondo (3-0, 1.12 ERA) have been terrific, and closer Francisco Rodriguez set a major-league record with 38 saves in the first half.

Trade winds

Seattle Post-Intelligencer columnist Jim Moore says the Mariners should trade Ichiro Suzuki as part of a rebuilding project.

But who wants a 34-year-old singles hitter who makes $17 million a year?

A good problem

The Twins have to find a spot in their rotation for lefthander Francisco Liriano, who appears fully recovered from Tommy John surgery.

Liriano has allowed no runs in his last 20 innings at triple-A Rochester, with 24 strikeouts and three walks.

Notable

ESPN.com reported that the Yankees have reached a deal with first baseman Richie Sexson, released last week by Seattle. . . . Pioneering black sportscaster Sherman "Jocko" Maxwell, 100, who chronicled the triumphs of Negro league baseball players before the color barrier fell, has died. Maxwell died Wednesday at Chester County Hospital in West Chester after battling pneumonia, according to his son, Bruce Maxwell. . . . David Ortiz homered in a rehab start for the Pawtucket Red Sox against the Toledo Mud Hens.

Contact staff writer Phil Anastasia at 856-779-3223

or panastasia@phillynews.com.