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Man oh Manny

What do you think of the decision to put Manny Ramirez on irrevocable waivers? Will another team -- (gulp) Yankees -- take on the $104 million remaining on his eight-year, $160 million contract? If no team claims Ramirez, will the All-Star slugger get traded?

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Page 66


Big mistake. We're giving up consistent production and slugging numbers. If guys like Millar, Ortiz, and Mueller don't have career years again, we'll miss Manny's production and Red Sox nation will wonder why we didn't make the playoffs. Manny's behavioral "problems" have been blown our of proportion since day one. He is one of the best offensive threats in the game. Hopefully we can keep him.

Michael, S.Portland, ME


It is quite evident that the management of the Red Sox does not want to make it back to the playoffs due to their second "big mistake." After the firing of manager Grady Little many began to wonder what is in store for next season. Did Little fall asleep during the biggest game of his life? YES. However, It is my opinion that firing him was not the best option. It is clear that both Epstein and Luccino want a manager that relies more heavily on statistics rather than instincts. It is also clear that Little is more of an instinct manager who is not always going to make the right call. The same can be said for a statistical manager because the game of baseball is obviously a mixture of both. The fact remains that the media calls for some one to take the blame and the ownership rather than supporting their skipper, elected to put the blame on him. No one is justifying Grady Little's mistake but was it not in Theo Epstein's power to call down to the dugout after Pedro began to get smacked around. The reason he did not call down is because Pedro is one of the games best and it is extremely difficult to look one of the games greats in the eye and have him tell you that he can get out of this jam. Epstein, Little, and most of Red Sox nation legitamately believed that Pedro (one of the best big game pitchers of all time) could indeed get out of the inning. I know that the stats show that after 100 pitches Pedro has been known to get knocked around but I believe that in game 7 of the ALCS, 5 outs away from the world series, the majority of managers including Joe Torre would have stuck with their ace or in this case Pedro Martinez. If the Sox had won and Pedro had gotten out of the inning than Little would be considered a genius and the team a dynasty. Their is a very thin line between winning and losing and legend and loser, and that is simply the game of baseball. One thing one would consider in evaluating any person for any job would be whether they were improving or declining. Grady Little won 93, and 95 games and was five outs away from defeating the evil empire, the curse, and all the non believers. It is a fact that Little had this team on the brink of a championship and was making the club better and better every year, so I then ask you why the ownership didn't support their manager and give him another shot to make or break his carreer. All signs pointed to improvement with a great clubhouse feeling and team unity so why not COWBOY UP for one more year and give the Fenway Faithful another thrill ride of a year. It is understandable why the ownership under John Henry would look for a new Skipper, but why rush it and why fire the man who has made you so good. Anyone who knows anything about baseball knows that their is next to nothing in terms of replacements. This is the reason why I feel firing Little was the wrong move and why I fear a decline in the Red Sox future after being so close to the world series. If Epstein and company are so concerned with statistics than they should have considered the fact that firing a manager after 2 straight 90+ winning seasons and reaching the ALCS, there has yet to be a manager to come right into the clubhouse and pick up where the last manager had left off. They spent so much time, effort, and money into having a winning ball club. What do they do when they have one? They Shuffle the pieces and ruin everything good that they had going. I am upset and disgusted with the actions of Theo Epstein, Larry Luccino, and John Henry and would like to formally thank Grady Little and the whole Red Sox team for an excelent and memorable season. I only wish they had one more chance to go above and beyond. In terms of Manny Ramirez; yes he is a bad fielder and a slow base runner, but I think it is safe to say that his hitting more than makes up for it. I would rather have Manny work on the fundementals of baserunning and fielding than get a speedy fielder trying to work on swinging the bat like batting champion Manny Ramirez. He not only hits for average and power, but also in the clutch. I understand the amount of money Manny and all these players make is ridiculous, but if you have a Steinbrenner out there than you must do your best to compete with him. If the Red Sox management lets Manny go and especially if they let him go to the Yankees or Orioles than I would officially become a Tampa Bay Devil Rays fan.

Mike, Nashua


Manny is the man! Big mistake putting him on irrevocable waivers.

Jony, Lawrence


I think this could be theo's best move of all time. The overpaid lazy left fielder, who deserves 20 mill a year for 35 homers anyway, he isnt clutch all he hits is singles. Get rid of him and Nomar, sign Tejada, bring in more dominincans, it is the only way we will be able to keep Pedro is if we bring in family. Sign Vladi and then move Trot to left.

Brian, Beverly


TRULY I WAS WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO WAKE UP AND SHOW SOME BACKBONE.PAY THAT MUCH MONEY AND BROADCAST TO THE PUBLIC A RED SOX IMAGE OF AN UNHAPPY OVERGROWN CHILD WITH AN ATTITUDE. ADULTS CALLED RED SOX FANS WANT A HUSTLER ON THE FIELD. I THINK OF JOHN HAVLICEK WHEN RELATING TO BOSTON SPORTS.... DAN B WESTERLY

DAN, WESTERLY, R.I.


Bu bye!!! That money is a whole lot better spent on players that want to play. Let Pedro go next and sign Nixon and V-tek long term and hit the market. Maybe dangle Nomar in front of Arizona for Curt Schilling.

Dave, North Oxford


During the post-season, my wife, who was watching the game with me and, admittedly, does not know much about baseball, got up to get a drink. When she got back I was ecstatic. I told her the Sox had just hit a home run. Smiling, she ask who. I told her Manny. The smile ran from her face as she said, "About time." Good riddance. I would rather have Pedro, Lowe, Nomar, Nixon, and, especially Varitek with the money saved.

Noah, Boulder, CO


its a mistake, Manny is worth the money and we will not find anyone to replace him. And what the hell is so bad about his off-field performance? He lives his life under a microscope and is badgered for everything he does just like every star we have ever had in Boston. Its not the fans who do this its the press. The better you are - the more you are scrutinized. We finally get a great team and now what .....that's it, its done? Sign Todd Walker and get one good starting pitcher and the puzzle is completed, we saw at the end of the year that we finally had a good bullpen. So sign Timlin, Williamson, and Embree (Kim - who the hell knows). And sign Millar he is good and personality does count (except in Manny's case). See ya later Burkett. See ya later Suppan. For the love of God can we just keep the obvoius winners together for once in this city. And what is this crap about Walkers defense? He makes great plays and he is cluth with the stick, if it wasn't for one slump for about a month imagine what his numbers would have been. I am so glad Graddy little is gone for taking our best hitters out of every close game for some one who can run faster but never really made a differnce anyway. If the Sox lose Trot or Varitek I quit as a fan.

Pat C, quincy


I fell it is some what god to put many on wiavers the only team that could get him is the yankee's because they have money to get him. Other team do not want to pay that much for a player The sox I think will have him next season I thnk.the yankee's will talk about it soon

Michael, Hartford Connecticut


Hello, This past season Manny has really adjusted to the Red Sox and the fans. If no one picks him up, this could be determental to the Red Sox. If the Yankees pick him up, he will be our worst nightmare. There is no doubt that some day he will be in the hall of fame. I think management needs to rethink this move.

Genai, Portsmouth, NH


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