Manny Ramirez Released From Jail, Ordered To Avoid Contact With Wife

Manny Ramirez was released from jail on $2,500 bail Tuesday afternoon following a brief court appearance in which he was ordered to avoid contact with his wife. Ramirez was arrested Monday evening and faces misdemeanor battery charges after allegedly striking his wife on the face during an argument at the couple's home in Weston, a suburb of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. 

The Broward Sheriff's Office released a recording of the 911 call placed by Juliana Ramirez, Manny's wife. From the AP:

"My husband just hit me," Juliana Ramirez says calmly on the tape.

When the dispatcher asks where she was struck, Juliana replies, "My face and my head, in the bed. I have a bump on my head."

The dispatcher then asks if Juliana has a safe room to get away from her husband.

"He’s not doing anything anymore because he knows I’m calling the police," she says. Later, Juliana told sheriff’s deputies she called 911 because she was afraid the situation would escalate.

Ramirez denies striking his wife, telling the police he merely grabbed his wife by the shoulders, which accidentally resulted in her head hitting the headboard of their bed. Ramirez briefly spoke to one TV reporter in Spanish but offered to the rest of the media. He was picked up by a family member, who offered her support:

"He’s my brother; we love him no matter what. He’s an amazing guy and we love him no matter what," she said before rolling up the window. She refused to give her name.

If convicted and sentenced to the maximum punishment, Ramirez could receive up to a year in jail. 

Manny Ramirez Arrested, Charged With Battery

Former major league DH Manny Ramirez used to be greeted around baseball with the phrase, “Manny being Manny”, whenever his antics on or off the field used to interest or amuse people.

This morning, Manny may be in serious trouble for an off-the-field incident. NBC Miami reports that Manny was arrested Monday night and charged with domestic battery:

His wife Juliana Ramirez told police she and her husband were both on the couple’s bed when he struck her with an open hand during an escalated domestic dispute, according to a police report by Officer Jose Campos.

She told police the blow caused her to hit her head on the headboard of their bed and, fearing the situation would escalate, she promptly called police.

According to Campos, Ramirez said his wife hit her head after he grabbed her by the shoulders and ‘shrugged’ her.

The police report notes red swelling was visible on the left side of Juliana Ramirez’ face, and that a contusion on the back of her head was consistent with her story. It was determined that Manny Ramirez was the primary aggressor.

An arrest, of course, does not mean a conviction, and Manny will certainly get his day in court. It is another unfortunate incident in the life of a man who was at times in his baseball career considered the best hitter in the game.

Ramirez retired from the Tampa Bay Rays earlier this year after playing in just five games for them, rather than face a 100-game suspension for a failed drug test.

Manny Ramirez Arrested In Florida