The best stories from Manny Ramirez, Zdeno Chara, and Matt Light at ‘The Tradition’
The former Patriots lineman once pranked both Brandon Meriweather and Bill Belichick while at the Pro Bowl.
Earlier this week, The Sports Museum hosted the 18th version of its annual gala, “The Tradition.” As usual, it honored several notable athletes, past and present.
Among those honored in 2019 was Bruins captain Zdeno Chara, former Patriots lineman Matt Light, and Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez.
Here’s a look at some of what they had to say:
The origin of Zdeno Chara’s meticulous workout records
At 42 years old, Chara is still an elite defenseman in the NHL. Such remarkable longevity in his career is possible because of his relentless work ethic. The Bruins captain is known for his rigorous workouts.
What’s less known is Chara’s attention to detail regarding his regimen.
“Your work ethic is legendary in this town,” said Tradition co-host Jackie MacMullan. “I understand you actually have a blue folder detailing every workout you ever did? What made you decide to do that?”
“I’ve been very lucky that we have a family history of my dad being a Greco-Roman wrestler,” said Chara. “My mom did amateur sports events. But my dad was obviously a big influence. He taught me a lot about training about keeping track of where I’m at, where I want to be, and how to get to certain goals.
“He told me the best way to do it is to keep track of your workouts, making sure that you know what you’re doing, finding your patterns and what work for you,” Chara continued. “It became a habit, and at the same time I was writing [down] these workouts and trying to do better next time, or next week or so on. It was also motivation. But over the course of 25 plus years, it’s a big stack of papers.”
Of course, Chara isn’t the only quadragenarian athlete in New England with a famous work ethic.
“I have a great idea for you when you do retire. The ‘ZC Method,'” joked MacMullan, referencing Tom Brady’s TB12 Method. “There’s some money in that. Something to consider.”
Matt Light’s greatest prank involved Bill Belichick
During his 11 seasons with the Patriots, Light anchored an offensive line protecting Brady’s blind side. He helped New England win three Super Bowls, and was named to three Pro Bowls.
And it was at the Pro Bowl one season that Light — a famous prankster — played one of his best tricks.
The joke came at the expense of fellow Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather, and to a lesser extent, Bill Belichick.
“B-Meriweather was one of my favorite guys as well, and he had this awesome ability to just have fun in the worst moments,” Light began. “He makes it to the Pro Bowl and we’re all sitting there. I walk past him and he’s hanging out with all these guys that have been there and done that. And I know for a fact that he’s in way over his head. It was an opportunity for me to go in and drop a little knowledge on him to make sure that while he was in Hawaii, he did it right.
“I walk up to him and say, ‘Hey B-man, how you doing? You’re not paying for these drinks, right? You’re not buying this stuff, for these cats or anybody else, right?’ He’s like, ‘No, man. What do you mean?’ I said when your head coach is coaching here, you put it on his room.”
Belichick was also in Hawaii that season to coach the AFC team.
“Now I had taken the time to find out where that room was, right?” Light noted. “And I was trying to do him a solid so I said, ‘Hey, put it on Bill’s room. He’s all good, right?’ Then I walk away. I have no idea how that seed is going to really come and blossom.”
Light then offered the climactic punchline of his story as the crowd nervously anticipated Belichick’s reaction.
“We’re sitting by the pool and coach Belichick was hanging out over there, and he and Linda [Holliday] are doing normal human things, which was really awkward,” Light explained. “I see past him. I see Mr. Meriweather come walking [down] and he’s got the check card in his hand. And even I’m telling myself, ‘No, this isn’t happening. I gave you the number, B. There’s no way this is happening.’ And he walks up to him and he says, ‘Hey man, I appreciate you, coach.'”
“Bill’s looking at it, and he’s confused, obviously,” Light laughed. “But Linda knows what’s happening, and they’re talking and finally he signs it and I can’t tell you the number because it was a big one, but he did pay for it and hats off to coach Belichick.”
Manny Ramirez had to be reminded he once used ‘Manny being Manny’
“I’m back,” Ramirez began as he took his seat, immediately drawing laughter from the crowd.
The former Red Sox slugger has been more introspective since retiring from baseball. He showed that quality when asked to reflect on his career.
“Sometimes bad things have to happen to you, so you can learn and also so you can appreciate life more,” said Ramirez. “I really appreciate that I’m me. I’m not proud that I’ve made mistakes, but those mistakes that I’ve made, made me a better person that I am right now. Because I remember when you’ve got power, when you’ve got money, when you’ve got fame, sometimes you take life for granted and you really don’t understand what the most valuable thing that you have, that is your family.”
Of course Ramirez’s time in Boston was defined not only by prolific hitting statistics and World Series wins (he helped the Red Sox to World Series triumphs in 2004 and 2007), but also an humorously aloof style that was defined by a single phrase: Manny being Manny.
“I want to ask you a question,” MacMullan began. “I wrote a million times in all my stories, and I bet Tom said it too, it’s ‘Manny being Manny.’ What does that mean today?”
“To be honest,” said Ramirez, “I haven’t even understood what that means. What’s that mean?”
This brought an eruption of laughter from the crowd, but triggered fellow Tradition co-host Tom Caron to jump in.
“I don’t know if you remember this, 2005, there were rumors that you might get traded,” Caron said to Ramirez. “And you didn’t get traded. You came in late in the game, it was after 4 o’clock, the trade deadline had come and gone, you came in as a pinch-hitter and got the game-winning hit. Eric Frede was our sideline reporter. He asked you about the hit, and you just looked up and said, ‘It’s Manny being Manny.'”
Both MacMullan and Caron traded their favorite examples of “Manny being Manny,” with one standing out.
“My favorite was when you caught off Johnny Damon’s throw from centerfield,” said Caron.
In his mind, the former Red Sox left fielder had a simple explanation for one of the more bizarre highlights in team history.
“Remember,” Ramirez joked. “Johnny couldn’t throw.”
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