Manny Ramirez is on the comeback trail once again.
The 19-year major-league veteran wants to play professional baseball and said his goal for 2020 is to return to the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan.
"I have been itching to get back in the batter’s box and be able to compete again," the 47-year-old Ramirez told The Taiwan Times. "I also miss being around teammates and team dinners postgame."
Ramirez played 49 games for the EDA Rhinos in 2013. He batted .352/.422/.555 with eight home runs and 43 RBIs during his brief tenure. Seven years later, Ramirez doesn't want to just be another player on the roster.
"My message to the CPBL clubs would be that I am still confident in my ability to serve as a player-coach and provide positive contributions to any ball club that is willing to have me on their staff/roster," he said.
The former slugger said he's received interest stateside but would rather return to the CPBL.
"I have had a few offers for teams in the Atlantic League but am more in favor of experiencing Taiwan and their delicious food."
Ramirez last played in MLB in 2011, when he appeared in five games for the Tampa Bay Rays. A 12-time All-Star, Ramirez hit .312/.411/.585 with 555 home runs in 2,302 career games split primarily between the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers plus brief stops with the Rays and Chicago White Sox.
