May 30, 2025 — Bronx, NY
In one of the most unexpected moves of the 2025 MLB season, the New York Yankees have officially hired Manny Ramirez — former Boston Red Sox slugger and two-time World Series champion — as their new hitting coach, signaling a bold shift in the franchise’s direction as they gear up for a postseason run.
The announcement stunned fans across the league, especially given Ramirez’s deep ties to the Red Sox and his notorious clashes with the Yankees during one of baseball’s fiercest rivalries. Now, the former enemy is donning the pinstripes — not as a player, but as the man tasked with elevating one of MLB’s most powerful lineups to even greater heights.
“Manny brings unmatched hitting knowledge, passion for the game, and a championship mindset,” said Yankees GM Brian Cashman. “We believe he can help take our offense to the next level.”
Ramirez, 52, had publicly stated his desire to return to baseball in a coaching capacity earlier this week. In an interview with reporter Héctor Gómez, he expressed his readiness to guide MLB hitters and even floated the idea of joining the Yankees — a notion many dismissed as unlikely. But in a move few saw coming, the Yankees moved fast to make it a reality.
“I’ve battled against the Yankees my whole life,” Ramirez said during his introductory press conference at Yankee Stadium. “Now, I’m excited to help them win from the inside. This is about baseball, and I’m here to win.”
Ramirez brings both Hall-of-Fame-level credentials and controversy. He hit 555 home runs, drove in 1,831 RBIs, and posted a career .312 batting average over a 19-year career. However, he also left the game under the cloud of two PED suspensions, ultimately retiring in 2011 after a positive test in spring training.
Despite the past, the Yankees’ leadership is confident that Ramirez’s experience — particularly his deep understanding of plate discipline and situational hitting — will be a major asset for a team looking to return to the World Series.
Ramirez is expected to begin working immediately with key hitters like Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Anthony Volpe, and will join the team for their upcoming road series.
The hire marks a new chapter in a long and storied rivalry — one where a Red Sox icon now wears pinstripes, and the Yankees’ postseason push just gained a legendary bat in the dugout.
