Manny Ramirez Tries Cricket as Part of DirecTV Promo

Manny Ramirez has faced some tough pitchers in MLB, but today he encountered a challenge of a different kind at Nichols Park in Gilbert, Ariz., home to the Arizona Cricket Club. Ramirez was swinging at googlies and grubbers instead of split-finger fast balls in his debut as a cricket batsman to promote DIRECTV’s exclusive CricketTicket Service. Ramirez hit five of eight pitches from the bowler, including a rocket shot that dispersed a crowd standing behind the bowler. “I have faced some tough pitchers before, but we don’t have to ever swing at a bouncing ball that is rising as it passes us,” said Ramirez, who was coached at the event by Australian cricketer Shaun Marsh. “Shaun is a great hitter and he gave me some great pointers. I hadn’t watched much cricket in the past, but the game is a lot like baseball. Shaun said I definitely have a future in the game.” Marsh, just 25, ...