Manny happy returns

No thank you!

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN SMOKING ???????????

I THINK YOU NEED TO TURN IN YOUR WRITING LICENSE.... YOU FLAKED ON US......

MANNY BELONGS IN PRISON FOR ATTACHING A 65 YR OLD MAN,,,,, NOT TO MENTION SUSPENDED BY MBL FOR HIS ANTICS ON THE FIELD AND HIS CONTRACT VIOLATIONS AND GENERAL DISRESPECT TO THE GAME....
HOW DOES ONE DEAL WITH AN ADULT WHEN HE IS ABOUT 12 YEARS OLD AND HAS NO CONCEPT OF ADULTHOOD AND RESPONSIBILITY???? HIS TIME IS OVER !! HIS DEVIL HAS GONE AND WILL INFEST SOME OTHER TEAM..

Finally some sanity in the Boston Globe sports page. Bring back Manny!!

Let it go. He's gone. He didn't want to be here. We don't WANT him here. He's a good player with a crappy attitude. The team doesn't need that. Manny can fade away into obscurity as far as I'm concerned. Let him eat his sushi, and be happy nobody recognizes him (or, more accurately, CARES it's him) over in Cali. We were better after he left (team chemistry, and esprit de corps), and we'll be better if he stays gone. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Other teams aren't falling all over themselves to sign him, why should Boston? Maybe if he took a pay cut, had a character clause in his contract and performed some public service (like give something back for a change) then it would be a consideration. BTW where does he play? LF? Moving JBay is a non-starter. DH? After what Big Papai has meant to the team? RF? OK, in a clown suit.

First of all Mr. Pierce I think you are a fine writer, but you have this nasty habit of using 100 words to say what could easily and articulately said in 50.
Secondly the fact that you want Manny back and think it would be a good idea is why is why you should leave the sportswriting to those who cover it daily and for the most part have a clue.
Manny, immature, injury faking, lowlife that he is QUIT on his teammates. Not to mention the owner who was paying him more than $140,000 per game to bat 4 times and make a fool of himself in the outfield. Would I love his bat in the Red Sox lineup? Of course. Would I want to see him on the team again? Not under any circumstances. And neither would most of his former teammates. And exactly what would you do with Jason Bay who is strictly a LFer? Leave sports to the sports guys.

I hate to say it, but I agree, if we can let bygones be bygones, and Manny is happy! (which I think he would be thrilled if the Sox wanted to re-sign him). He would put up some great numbers and once again the Yankees will have to explain why they didn't win another World Series after breaking the bank once again.

Christopher Columbus on a broomstick Charles. Remember the winning streak the team had after MR's departure? 16 games, or was it 17? What does it take to turn you off to this dude. He isn't getting signed for a reason and I think it because the guy is kind of low.

BRING BACK MANNY!

He quit on the team. If he hit like he did in LA the Sox might have won it all instead of struggling to a game 7 with Tampa Bay in the ALCS. Let him go and let's win or lose with team players who play hard ALL the time.

Dumbest article I have ever read ... EVER. This guy makes excuses for and places blame on everyone except Manny. "The Sox leaked the stories" ... GOOD! They should have! As silly as it sounds there are more important things than winning. Like teacing young children that the worst thing you can ever do in sports is QUIT on your team.

If Carl Everett returned to his prime, homerun hitting form, would you sign him also? Manny did many things here, but, in the end, he was a distraction and caused more problems than he was worth. The Sox might have had a better chance at beating the Rays in the division and in the ALCS, if he was in the roster, but they also lost several games when he was in the line-up and forgot how to swing the bat.

Sure, let's bring Manny back. Great idea. Here's the catch. He gets a $400,000 base contract plus incentives. Kick backs for HR's over 30, RBI's over 100, AVG of .300 and games played at 130. The only way to guarantee he tries is if he is compensated, as he proved after the move to LA. Those numbers are easy to reach if you look at the second half of last year, so no worries, right?

Are you so desperate about whether or not the Red Sox win a few extra games that you're willing to pay that schmuck $20 plus million a year? Really? Wow!

Charlie, I generally enjoy your commentary, but you've been wrong about the Ramirez isse from the start. At the time of the BIG TRADE, you said, and I quote, "I wouldn't be Jason Bay for all the money Manny ever made." The implication being that he would do poorly in a Red Sox uniform and feel the wrath of frustrated fans. You were wrong about that. Bay played very well. The team played better without Manny and they came very close to getting back to the World Series.

I would much rather watch a man of Bay's character and integrity play left field for the Red Sox than Manny Ramirez any day!

In this economy I don't think we should gamble millions of $$ on a guy that only plays hard when he feels like it. Character and chemistry are more important than stats.

This is a poorly written article. The author didn't even state valid arguments for bringing Ramirez back. Where would he play? Why would even Manny sign here? Why would ownership sign him?
This is almost like one of those knuckleheads that calls WEEI and gets made fun of.
To put it simply, the author knew exactly what he was doing. He just wants to get his name known and get people talking. The Boston Globe should be embarrassed.

It is not Manny who "really" wanted to go, it was Boras. You see Boras would make nothing if Manny had his two year options picked up by the Sox. Just as he did with A-Rod, Boras did this.

John Henry is a huge Manny fan and resisted letting him go! Yes, I think Manny never wanted to leave and perhaps an Varitek like meeting to clear the air, is in order!

LOL...how ironic that these 2need eack other..

Theo and front office need to apologize to Manny. They helped it end badly. Bring him back so he can retire as a RS

Did you seriously BUMP your head!!!!! Hell no!!

Manny tried to blow up the club hose. No olive branch for him.

We'd look like the biggest idiots under the sun if we took Manny back. Huge mistake. Numbers aren't everything. Character counts, and that's the huge hole that is missing in Manny. Manny doesn't understand the 'we' part of team.

Pretty telling that with his big numbers, no one seems to want him.

I don't see a hole on our team either, we have Lowell coming back, Ortiz, Bay, Drew, Youk, Pedroia. We're pretty solid.

This guy is simply the worst writer on the staff. When he's not pushing his political agenda, he's making up stupid stuff to "make people talk." Do you really want to put Manny back into a dugout that voted him off the island, Chuck? Those flashy, awesome stats you quoted... doesn't it seem odd to you that NO ONE ELSE has signed Manny, either? Maybe there's a reason for it. Save your snarky anti-Schilling, anti-management BS for the remaining handful of Manny fanboys and leave the rest of us with a pulse alone.

The fact that Manny has received practiaclly no interest from other teams is sweet justice!

How can you even suggest we bring back a player who quit on us like that and this isn't the 1st season he's done so. Manny dogs it here cuz he doesn't get what he wants contract-wise, fakes a knee injury (Who could forget that Manny couldn't even remember what knee he hurt so he had to have them both MRI'd) forces the trade then goes lights out in LA! The Numbers in LA proved one thing.. Manny was faking it here to get out of his contract and he will only perform if he's happy. I paid no attention to the LA #'s as I knew that there was no way Manny would have even come close to those numbers if he was with the Sox through the rest of last year.

What is interesting now is that Manny will likely have to "settle" on the 2 yr $45 million that the Dodgers are offering (Why haven't they pulled that yet?) So since he's not getting what he wants lets see how he performs out there this year! I think Dodger fans will be in for a rude awakening!

.

Manny being Manny means one RBI per game. Bring him back. One year deal with an option.

You don't go after a player you let go for deserting his team and teammates. Period.

You seem to have a short memory Charles. Manny's teammates were ticked off. They spoke up about it.

Besides, 2 words will assure he never comes back again:

Scott Boras.

Together, these 2 personify everything that is bad. Greed. Deceit. No integrity. No loyalty.

Together

The comments here don't seem to be very well thought out. Lets not become Philadelphia fans. Are we going to whine when Manny bothers us, or when our offense struggles through the ALCS? He is immature and he does act like a 12-year old. But if can win us the East and a World Series, lets go get him. We will not be able to compete with Teixeira, Jeter, Sabathia, and Rodriguez with our lineup the way it is. Lets be mature, suck it up, and forgive Manny. We need him now more than ever

there is a reason manny is still on the market.

this is a ridiculous article mr p. no doubt about it.

"Can we let those bygones be bygones?"
Pierce neglects to consider one major factor in his foolhardy pipe-dream, even IF "we" were willing to forgive and forget, who says Manny would ever set foot in Boston again accept as an opponent? How can the Sox possibly trust that they would get a 100% effort and team first attitude from a guy who has proven to be out for himself, not to mention every last dollar?
The people who continue to support him absolutely amaze me and sometimes I think it reflects on their character. I guess they're so hopelessly disillusioned that short of Manny breaking all Ten Commandments, he'd still be God's gift to mankind.
He laid down on his teammates for the world to see and you think the Sox would want him back?
I can only imagine the locker room reaction to that news.

I don't know what's worse.... Mazz consistantly finding ways to add "Tex" to any and all articles he writes, or THIS article about bringing back Manny?!

We didn't let Manny go because he was simply a dread-headed problem child. We let him go because HE QUIT PLAYING for us!

Don't bring up his 17 HR's and 53 RBI's in 53 games with the Dodgers in an attempt to sway us into wanting him back. You know WHY he hit like Babe Ruth after being traded??? BECAUSE HE WANTED TO! When he was in Boston, HE DIDN'T WANT TO!

Get over it. Sign Adam Dunn to play 1B. Deal Lowell to SF (they need a 3B). Move Youk back to 3B.

Dunn doesn't wow you with his BA. But look at his OBP (pushing .400). And his power numbers--numbers that could/should soar in Fenway.

Forget Manny

Dumb!

1) Manny never liked it here.

2) Manny is looking for a huge payday, the reason why he hired Borass.

3) He burnt the bridge, and Framinghame Lou said the locker room was saying that Manny was "Carl Everett bad".

4) Bay is no chump, his numbers are not as good but somewhat equal to Manny's....and Bay is younger and a better all around ball player.

5) the players didn't want him here anymore.....

Do a survey and you'll see how much he is loved in Boston, NOT!

Please let the Yanks have him, I would love that.

Absolutely Manny should be considered. This is a business. We have a need. Manny can fill the need. Given the past however, the Red Sox should structure incentives to reduce problems. A "clubhouse" bonus; etc.

No Way! As every day passes Manny stews a little longer. Any team that signs him now will be getting him at a price HE feels is too low and then it is only a matter of time before he quits on his team.

I would rather see Barry Bonds come to town !!

I'd rather have a case of the clap!

Name three things Manny and this writer have in common. Respect for the game, respect for your teammates, and respect for the yourself. As much as it hurt to see the Rays beat my Red Sox last year, I enjoyed the tremendous and obvious abundance of this three qualities exibited by their players and manager. Get a clue guy, you can't win with a disruptive and disrespecful presence like Manny either in the clubhouse or the news room.

Tough to find a better hitter.... I loved Manny, he's the best hitter the team has ever had, and very exciting to watch good or bad. He soured a lot of people in Boston on his way out, Management, Teammates and Fans. I wish he was more professional and not so Manny being Manny... Because He¡¦d make this line up a force to be reckoned with. When I first read this I thought who would you sit, it would have to be J. Ellsbury. Drew could handle 110 games at center field and Bay could move to RF. You¡¦d have 4 30 homer guys in the middle of your line up and two 20 something homer guys at either end, that would be great¡K. BUT its never going to happen ƒ¼

Sweet Justice? Yeah, you are a Boston moron! Though your name doesn't leave much to wonder there... Look, the guy is a child, yes, but he plays a friggin' game for a living, what do you expect? I mean, Pedro hired a midget (RIP) as a good luck charm to help win the 2004 world series, isn't that childish? The fact is, in professional sports, you have these kind of personalities (see Owens, Terrell; Moss, Randy; Burress, Plaxico) and sometimes you just have to GET OVER IT if you want your team to... you know... win!
What's more disgusting? That Manny wanted out of a city that kindof treated him schizophrenically sometimes? Or that Tom Brady was NEVER seen on the sidelines supporting his team that was ailing without him? I say the latter. (sidenote, the utter lack of attention to this is sinful, and biased sports journalism... not that I wouldn't be alone with Gisele for as much time as I could either, but I digress....)
Look, I don't want the drama back. It felt like someone removed an anchor from my shoulders when they traded him. But I love the Sox, and I want them to win. When we lost in the Teixeira sweepstakes, we created a spot that HAS to be filled. If you can't see that, then you might need to read up on professional baseball. Because without another failsafe powerful bat in our lineup, we can't count on a championship. I'm not saying we should throw ourselves at him again... I'm saying that IF we find ourselves completely out of options, Ramirez and his baggage could be the difference between a 2009 banner and a "wait till next year" t-shirt.

If you guys want to be taken seriously.......please check for typing errors !!! Manny is unusual to say the least ...but I doubt he ever tried to blow up the club "hose" When Manny came to bat while he was actually trying to hit , it made one feel a bit sorry for the opposing pitcher. When he wasn't trying his best you felt sorry for the Red Sox. His batting skills will put him into the HOF ,but his lack of responsibility to his team will keep him anywhere else.

Waiting for Spring in Canada

How many times did he quit on us, and more importantly, his own teammates? You think they want him back? Take a vote in the clubhouse. If Pap, and Youk, and Pedey, and Lowell, and Poppy and the veterans want him back. I'll sign up. But check with the team first. Chemistry is a building block to championships. The 04 and 07 sox proved that.

Intercourse Manny. Done, Finished. Period. No need to talk about it again.
Stop writing stories about him, I will stop reading stories about him, I will stop blogging about him.

ENOUGH, already. Jeez! Remember, he is a selfish baby and Boras is his agent. Let him flounder in mediocrity in San Francisco or better yet, Japan.

Journalism should be about something more than snappy phrases and ho-ho-ho's. The Manny issue became, rightfully, a CHARACTER issue. Why not write about that? If you want to be cute tie a pink ribbon in your hair and write for Cosmo.

I read Pierce's article last week advocating for the celtics to try to sign Stephon Marbury and this weeks's article about the Red Sox trying to sign Manny. I can't wait for next weeks article about how the Patriots should try to sign Terrel Owens or how the Bruins should go after Steve Avery

You wrote:

"People even yapped incoherently about keeping Ramirez out of the Hall of Fame because certain people believe he occasionally jaked his way out of the lineup. At least, at the eventual induction, he and Yaz will have something to talk about."

Are you kidding me? Obviously you are too young to remember Yaz. While he might not have run out a groundball here and there-- usually one-hoppers to the pitcher or first baseman, he never asked out of the lineup, ever. When he was in his 40's, Ralph Houk gave him his pick regarding which game of the next days double header that he wanted to sit. Yaz insisted on playing both games. Check his record. He played every day and he played injured.

Please resign Manny, and we all know as long as he hits all will be forgiven in Boston

Charle, if it were your decision, would you pay someone $20 million to only work when they felt like, who you couldn't rely on as a teammate/co-worker, and who physically assaulted a 65 year-old man over something incredibly trivial in a "Don't you know who I am?" kind of way? Really? I don't think I would...

Yes, I realize that the article was written partially "for effect" and it's worked. Nice job, Charles. That being said, there is a parallel between Manny and Tek, at least financially. One took bad advice and passed on an absurdly generous arbitration offer, and one took matters into his own hands and behaved just poorly enough to give him the chance to try and make more money this year. They both miscalculated badly. In Tek's case, hopefully the club has assessed the true value, tacked on a little for loyalty and is preparing a n offer in the $5 million neighborhood for a year. In Manny's case, he is a player that is certainly needed based on statistics by the team. How about a similar $10 million offer, which does not offer the same loyalty type bump as Tek. Would he accept it? Of course not. But...if he did, we can all agree the team would be better.

listen you loser, Manny did get traded, and he did give us a great 7.5 seasons, but he quit, and perhaps you need to be reminded he was paid for his services..so cut the stir the pot crap, he is not a true professional....he quit, quit on his team, his owner, his fans and to the baseball fans across the country, why dont you pay him, you should be ashamed, are you that devoid of creative talent that you have to scribe this garbarge in Jan.........

More bear baiting. Better to ignore articles like this.

Bring back Nomar. Bring back Roger.Bring back Pedro. Let bygones be bygones. Bring back Manny?? I'd sooner finish last.

Bring him back??? How MLB investigates him for throwing games.He`s in the same catagory as P.Rose.

Can we bring back Clemens too?

Brainiac. Where does manny fit into your new lineup. dumb idea and dumb story.

I think the Sox should contact Boras with a ridiculous offer, have him and his client fly in and then when they get here, tell them they changed their minds.

I'll take Jason Bay any day over Manny-the-Idiot. Bay is a complete player and a team player. Manny isnt. Period.

no doubt, MR broke all our hearts and yes, it's almost unforgiveable how he left our beloved team/town ... but a one year deal w/option, hmmm, post #25 has a point ... imagine MR playing sooo hard, donating time to numerous charitable events and being sooo respectful of his team, teammates AND the game ... wow, what a fantasy !

having to prove his worth through the 09season, through 162+++ would be a delight : )

GO Sox !!!

Bring back Manny!!!

Find him a place to live (outside of Boston), and welcome him back so he and Papi can hang together again and he can entertain the fans!!!

Hey Charles, weren't you, at one time an ACTUAL sports writer? There are blogs being written by middle school children that I would take more serious than this. You have really embarrassed yourself with this one!

I say - here, here!

Who is out there to hit behind Papi from the right side? Sammy Sosa? I mean is Youk, or Lowell or Bay intimidating enough to have pitchers PITCH to Papi and not around him? Methinks, not! And besides, perhaps Big Papi would Papi-up once again if Manny were back slinging shots into the Monsta seats and beyond!
I concur! Bring back Manny for 2 years at $50M with an option and be done with it! Pedroia, Youk Ortiz, Ramirez, Bay Lowell Drew Varitek Lowrie

Where does he play?
DH? Papi, Rocco already there.
LF? Bay, Rocco already there.
RF? Drew, Rocco already there.
Mars? maybe

Manny was absolutely raking in July, carrying the Sox, before he was traded. Quit my ass.

I'd gladly welcome him back with open arms. He is a tremendous hitting talent and it was a joy to watch him do this thing every day.

If they took Manny back, I'D QUIT RED SOX NATION AND MOVE TO CANADA!!

You are an idiot. Why bring him back? He will just quit on them again...he does not want to be there. Go do some research and write a worthwhile article.

That's just crazy talk!

Amen to comments 36 & 37, they sum it up perfectly.

Who do you get rid of to make room for him genious? Your selective memory seems to have left out the fact that this team gelled once this man child left the building. His monstrous production with LA just showed how much more he had to give. What did we get? A story about bad knees. Would you seriously want to be his teammate? It's a lot easier to deal with him from the press box eh?

CHARLIE... GET THE INPRESSION THAT RS FANS ARE INTERESTED IN MORE THEN ONE THING....HITTING...
IE. BEING PROFESSIONAL. ACTUALLY CARING FOR YOUR TEAM AND TEAM-MATES. OH YA ,AND THE FANS THAT PAY YOUR SALARY. HIS TEAMATES WOULD REVOLT IF THEY BROUGHT THIS CANCER BACK INTO THE CLUB HOUSE.....

Same category as Pete Rose?
that's ridiculous!!
He's a great player who was a key part of 2 championship teams.
He's a first year Hall of Fame player. Sox fans will realize how important having a huge bat behind Ortiz is to the team when they go the next decade without another championship.
Jason Bay is a nice guy...so was Mike Greenwell..those type of players can not lead a team to winning it all. Asses who are great players do.

I'd rather lose

I would have to believe this article was meant to be funny.

Won't happen...stupid article.

Manny had his great 53 games with the Dodgers and cut back the locks on his head because we was seeking a new contract. If we can sign him to a one year deal, fine (but he proabaly wouldn't take it). But otherwise, he's just going to quit on his teammates again. Also remember that this year he turns 37 years old, so this year or next his production is just going to drop like a rock off a cliff.

theres a reason manny is still un- signed, hes a cancer in the clubhouse id rather see the sox trade for fielder or sign adam dunn , bring manny back? no thank you
as they say " been there, done that, moved on "

Please don't bring him back.

I can't believe people feel so badly against him. He was the most followed Sox player and everyone, all of the media, were after him. They are what turned the Sox against Manny and vice-versa.

IMO, Manny is one of the greatest players in baseball history, deservedly so. I don't know where he would fit in the lineup, but I'd be willing to keep the door open. I've been saying since the end of the season. Bring him back to BOSTON!!!!

Now , I live in upstate NY but watch every Red Sox game and read the Globe on-line every day...so why am I the only one out there who doesn't know what Jason Veritek did last summer that was morally terrible ? Someone please spell it out.

The Globe used to have higher standards. This piece is nothing more than a lowly globe writer's attempt to achieve notoriety by writing something that would be controversial if it wasn't so absurd. Journalists are losing their jobs left and right so I suppose it's may be a sad cry for attention. Stop wasting our time and give us real sports reporting and opinion.

dumbest article I have read in some time...and I read Callahan everyday

This reminds me of a Rush Limbaugh statement: Say something truly inflammatory and impossible, and see what happens. Good only for its entertainment value. His exit and agent are all you need to know. Isn't. Going. to. HAPPEN.

I'd say Bobby Abeau would be a nice lefty DH replacement if Ortiz's hand is not OK.

Was just a matter of time before a writer did something like this for the sake of controversy.

what a waste of a writing peice/space - write about the rookies or the kids in the minors, or about what we can look forward to seeing in 09? manny, no thanks.

D-U-M-B!!!!! And so are the idiots (like this author) that want to bring him back! enough said.... NEXT!

Who cares? A bunch of steroid-jacked crybabies playing a game everyone takes way too seriously. They're overpaid too, and will dump their loyalties in a second for a bit more coin.

Folks, this is meant to be sarcastic. Please calm down.

I think Manny was the greatest Red Sox player to ever strut the field at Fenway, I would trade any player to get him back, never mind just signing him!! GET HIM BACK NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm waiting for the day he steps up to the plate against Beckett and gets drilled.Nothing would please me more.

No thanks to Manny. He's childish, petty, and was glad to hear the Sox were knocked out of the playoffs last year. Before missing his bat, remember how often he was "Manny being Manny" constantly, playing only if he wanted to do so. How many times was he "sick" or "hurt" or watched hittable pitches. No, we don't need that.

Here is an idea.
Let's offer Manny a one year Contract at the Major League minimum of $350,000

He then gets a 5 million dollar bonus for 400, 500, 550, and 600 plate appearances as well as million dollar bonuses for winning a Silver Slugger, LCS and WS MVP's, Gold Glove(hah!) and bonuses depending on where he finishes in the MVP voting. If he meets 600 plate appearances his contract automatically kicks in for the next year at base salary of 10 million with the same bonuses in place. If he plays hard Manny should have no problem making much more then he is currently being offered. Of course, it is Manny.

If

HE IS A CANCER TO THE TEAM AND RED SOX NATION!!!! I am glad he is eating some humble pie! He is not as good as he thinks he is! BAN MANNY!!! BAN MANNY!!! He is NOT welcome here!!!!!

In a heartbeat take him back.. Going no where without him.

I would trade ten JIM Rices to get Manny back,

Here is an idea.
Let's offer Manny a one year Contract at the Major League minimum of $350,000

He then gets a 5 million dollar bonus for 400, 500, 550, and 600 plate appearances as well as million dollar bonuses for winning a Silver Slugger, LCS and WS MVP's, Gold Glove(hah!) and bonuses depending on where he finishes in the MVP voting. If he meets 600 plate appearances his contract automatically kicks in for the next year at base salary of 10 million with the same bonuses in place. If he plays hard Manny should have no problem making much more then he is currently being offered. Of course, it is Manny.

If

I LOVE TO SEE MANNY BACK!!! But I really really really doubt it would happen. After all the things he has done to his team mates and what he's done to the front office. AND where would you put him? Bay in Left, J.D. in Right and deff not in center. also Big Poppa as a DH.

Sure, bring cancer back after you have been cured.

The bridge has been burned.. there is no return possible

Let's bring back Roger too! Manny is an idiot cancer that his teammates didn't want anymore and they knew what his offensive impact was.

Oh yeah, bring back Manny - but only after The Globe brings back Mike Barnicle and Patricia Smith. Get it?

Bring Back Manny- it would worth it to see Shaughnessy and the other oldfarts choke on their words. It would also let them know they no longer have the power to chase talent out of town

Sad really, you have reverted back to the pre 80 years without a World Series why can't we beat the Yankees knee jerk reaction. Now the panic because Hank Steindbrenner opened the wallet and spent huge amounts of dough to buy one more ring before daddy kicks the bucket.

Pathetic.

I cannot get over how much credit some people give Manny for the two World Series titles. It seems to me that the Sox did not win any titles, despite having Manny in left, until a certain loud mouth pitcher moved up from Arizona to break a curse. I don't get how Manny got the WS MVP over this same bloody socked loud mouth, especially since all the key hits in that series (and the one before) where by the guy hitting ahead of him in the lineup. I would also note that the Sox did not win their second World Series for a couple more years, until that loud mouth pitcher was again healthy.

In short, Manny is not the cog that led the Sox to win the world series, it was Schilling, with an honorable mention to Papi.

Sad really, you have reverted back to the pre 80 years without a World Series why can't we beat the Yankees knee jerk reaction. Now the panic because Hank Steindbrenner opened the wallet and spent huge amounts of dough to buy one more ring before daddy kicks the bucket.

Pathetic.

Bring Him Back Now!!!!!!!!!!!!

No ...... no ....... and, oh ya ........ no!

Don't know what you have been smoking but you had better exhale. The clubhouse is just as it should be.

Don't you recall Jason Bay's first at bat at the Fens ..... damn guy had tears in his eyes ... and he hadn't even swung a bat. Manny got what he deserved - let him deal with it!

are you crazy? you would reward this bum with a contract? you should be giving advice to the Yankees!!

Charles,
You must be having a great time savoring all these comments! You sure stirred up the pot, and look what you got! A steaming bouillabaisse of bad blood, broken hearts, Manny longings, life lessons, spicy factoids, and more! Enjoy!

Easily one of the dumbest columns ever written by a very bright fellow. Pierce, you disappoint me . . . but I'll give you a pass one this one.

Hilarious!! What an entertaining piece...thanks for this -- it made me laugh out loud. Equally hilarious is the indignation some are showing in these comments, also making me laugh. Get a grip folks!! Glad to have a laugh about a game played by grown men, rather than reading more really awful, catastrophic economic news. Thanks again Mr. Pierce. I happened to agree with a wonderful Slate piece you did last year about how dumb the RS were for getting rid of Manny in the first place. Without Manny, and as they were unable to seal the deal with Texeira, the Sox are likely looking at being in second or third place next year. But we'll see! Whatever happens, let's hope it distracts us from the awful state of the world.

It's amazing how many people bought the propaganda the Boston media threw at us about Manny's leaving. It's nice to hear a reasonable voice, and the comments saying that the author needs to hand in his license because of this article are nuts.

ABSOLUTELY! And While we're at it lets bring back George Bush and Dick Cheney!

i'd rather lose every game every season with a team full of guys that try hard rather than win every game every season with a team full of Manny's. isn't that why Red Sox Nation despises the Yankees so much...all money, no heart? I'll pass.

Wow, that flowery prose seems familiar, Kevin Paul, is that you????

APPARENTLY THE GLOBE DOES NOT MANDATE DRUG TESTING FOR THEIR WRITERS!!!

It's tough to say who's dumber ... Republicans, or Sox fans who think that the team is better off without Manny. Any Sox fan who does not like Manny was blacked out from 2001-2007, and obviously never watched him play, but rather followed his career through the twisted words of Gordon Edes and his Curly-Haired Boyfriend. Wake up.

Are you out of you freaking mind?!?!

You Sir are an absolute FOOL! Manny's presence would tear that club house apart if Kevin Youkilis didn't tear him apart first. I hope this article was a joke, if not you are a fool and should be looking for a new job

Are you crazy? No way do not bring that knucklehead back,maybe Obama has a job for him the his cabinet..

Don't need Manny's lack of work ethic. You people have short memories as to how he acted toward the end of his time in uniform. He belongs on the unemployment line.

People forget he was a cancer in clubhouse. His teammates don't want him back, why would the fans. See ya Manny....it's been nice!

If you move Manny to DH, then Papi is out. If you move Manny to Left, than Ellsbury is out and your outfield stinks, when it was the best in baseball just a year ago. I'm more afraid that if we don't sign Manny it will turn into the "curse of ManRam" and it may be a while before we win anything again. Otherwise, who needs him? He's a quitter!

Are you kidding! 1. You need to get another job, because you suck at this one. 2. He quit on his teammmates. A cardinal sin. 3. He went out and got Boras right before the season. A sign he wanted out as we all know how Boras works. Boras wasn't going to get a dime if Manny stayed. 4. SCREW HIM!! Manny being Manny can take it somewhere else. I'd rather watch a competitive team with character than watch his crap all year. If he comes back I'll send back my seasons tix. I would hope that management has a bit more self respect than that.

I loved the years with Manny and always will.

That said, it's best that he and the team move in different directions. Planet Manny took a dark, disturbing turn last year. Fans that are clamoring to have him back must have some form of battered wife syndrome. This guy took a big crap all over you, and you want him back. How can you look yourselves in the mirror?

How does this guy paid to have a sports column?

Yeah, and Carl Everett too! ! ! After all Carl is such a team motivator....he really gets them worked up in the clubhouse. NOT

No need for this piece of garbage. Let's move on.
Anyway we have a better all aorund player who is a much better team player and person in Jason Bay.

This is the stupidest idea that I've heard in a while....

NO WAY! KEEP HIM OUT OF BOSTON! Listen, I used to love Manny and look past his antics......until from mid-season on this past season. He showed his hand to all of us....he is a greedy, self-centered, shameless team-mate. We may suffer without his bat in the lineup, but there is a damn good reason no one has signed him yet. No one wants to take the risk and he has a bad track record.

MAN its hard to change your mind once its made up! But I gotta say that Charles has himself a point. F#*k it! He's an absolute MONSTER! 17 homers down the stretch! 53 rbi in 53 games! BRING BACK MANNY RAMIREZ!!! (I cant believe I just said that) Jeremy in VT

Manny's one of my favorite all-time Sox players. They might have won the W.S. with him last year. I'd love to see him back.

I don't understand why people cannot see past the Yankees at this point. We by no means NEED that clubhouse cancer Manny. Yes, NY spent an insane amount of $$$ on Tex, CC and Burnett BUT they lost Mussina (replaced with CC...maybe) Giambi and Abreau (replaced by Tex) and Pettite (replaced by Burnett) The only difference is that none of those 3 have dealt with a pressure packed environment and ego filled clubhouse like NY that can crush some of the best. Sox pitching is MUCH better and offense is solid. The Rays are still just as big a threat as the yanks.

Bring Back Manny!!!! One of the best hitter in the history of baseball. If he was such a problem in the clubhouse how did they win 2 championships with him?

Great idea... Lerts bring Manny back to a place he hates and back to a team that probably hates him. This is the same guy that sits out of key games, assualts senior citizens, basically says he hates living in Boston, and clearly QUIT on the team last year. I would rather see Manny go without getting signed because he is an alien

You are not serious. Good ploy to get a response from readers though.

No

There is a reason Manny is having trouble getting signed, other teams watched the baloney he pulled off here. We do not need to bring him back we are not the yankees who only care about money, we want a team that plays well because they have heart. In this economy especially I do not want to watch a player whining about how he's not making enough money when the rest of us are struggling just to stay on our feet.

Hey, Charlie, did you run this one by Francona?

I'd pay to see that. Hell, I'd sell popcorn.

Bloody Sock? you still honestly believe that?

Why stop with Manny? Bring back Nomar too for that SS hole that's not been the same since he left??
This is a joke, right? Or is it just a zinger of a fluff piece to provoke fans and (I am shocked...shocked to say it), attract readers to this new paper?

Oy-vey!

Absolutely NOT !!!!!!! Good riddance to him and his attitude !!!!!! Noone wants him !!!

BRING HIM BACK NOW!!!!!!!!

Manny is a great hitter, a poor outfielder, a poor baserunner, but a hall of famer, because of his bat....He had 8 great years as a Red Sox, but he is a 36 year old man with a 12 year old brain....How much better could he have been if he gave 100% everyday (like Pedroia)...Even during his great years, they could have been greater with a little more caring about the team than himself...I'd love to see him back, because last year, the Sox might have won it all with him...Right now the Sox can still win it all, if Lowell and Ortiz come back healthy and Bay will be more used to American League pitching..Good bye Manny.....

F Manny and the air and ground he breathes and walks upon. He has no class, no sense of responsibility except for himself and would bring the team down, down, down. NO THANKS, Manny can rot in hell!

Absolutely not. A thousand times no. Clubhouse and Dugout Cancer.....

THE DEAL CAN GET DONE! DO IT OR ELSE HE'S A YANKEE.
EGO NEVER GOT AN RBI

No way do I want Manny back in Fenway!!! I have seen enough of him not hustling down the line, screwing up routine plays in the outfield and shrugging his shoulders as if 'oh well, guess I better try harder.' He can hit, when he feels the urge to apply himself....don't get me started. The mere thought of Manny back with my beloved Red Sox makes me sick, I wish him on the Yankees so I can watch him perform his magical misery of 'all about Manny routine'...

Folks, we won two WS with this guy.....Does anybody really believe that there would have been duck boats in the streets of Boston without Manny???? Bring back Manny!!!! We all had something to talk about and look forward to....isn't that what we Bostonians want in our sports lives????????

Manny Ramirez is one of the best hitters of all-time and we should think fondly of our 2 World Championships of which we definitely had no chance at winning without him! That being said, he's also a quitter, who is so unpredictable, what's from stopping him from acting worse in Boston this time? Take a few weeks off mid-season with "fatigue". Jog around some bases... and maybe he can get the clubhouse to hate him even more than they clearly already did! Truth is NOBODY in the ENTIRE organization likes him or wants him back!!!

Manny is a child. We are done with him.

Yes... they would have won another title last year if they didn't trade him

I hate the argument that people use to say the red sox fans cheered for manny. Real Red Sox fans cheered for the power-hitting Red Sox left fielder... they did not cheer for Manny Ramirez the person.

It's like cheering for the Jets to beat Miami in week 17. You don't like the Jets but you want them to win so it would help the Pats.

those saying no are suffering from pink hat syndrome. go away, thanks.

the answer is a simple yes. manny is one of the top ten offensive players of all time... and a solid defensive player. He is a big part of the success in 2004 and 2007. any questions?

I would bring back Mo Vaughn first, Manny is an idiot and he needs to be jobless and see how it feels like the rest of America

What bet did you lose to have to write this article? Maybe someone is blackmailing you to write this or they will tell everyone about the blumpkin you gave them Charles.

Charles Pierce. Who is this guy?

This team is boring without Manny!! 5 Japanese pitchers, Tek can't hit, Lugo still in the dugout, Shill & Crisp are gone, and Big Papi ready to hang it up!!

I say bring him back. MANNY=CHAMPIONSHIP. The Yankees would have signed him over Tex if they thought the Sox might take him. Manny is like the hot girlfriend that cheats on you over and over again that you can't stop seeing. It's time for one more round on the magical merry-go-round. Besides, can you say DISCOUNT?

Things have to be slow in the news business in order to even consider this idea!
What's next, bring back Roger Clemons to bolster the pitching staff??

you must be kidding, Manny is probably the most talented hitter in the major leagues but he is a total wing-nut.
Manny is all about Manny, the Red Sox are a team.

HELL YEAH! Then can we please trade Dan Shaunessey to the Enquirer where he belongs for starting the Manny witch hunt that ran him out of town. Face it people, losing Manny was the WORST move management has made. It was an emotional trade, not a business trade.

I have to laugh at Pam's comment, "numbers aren't everything".

**** manny, let him rot in the national league. boras FKD him and Tek.

That has got to be the stupidest question I've ever heard. He already subverted your team once...WTF?

Even if the Red Sox brass wanted Manny back, would Manny want to come back? Doubtful.

I don't think anyone can criticize how well Mr. Pierce writes. He clearly knows something you don't whereas he writes for Boston Globe Magazine and you my friend do not. In my opinion, Theo is creating this cute little pitching based team filled with names who while they are extremely exciting in terms of their names and what they have accomplished in their careers, are honestly pulled off the scrap heap. I think he is creating his own dream team (playing favorites) just as it would appear Omar Minaya has done with the Mets. I personally believe the team is over-(general)-managed. Way to trade Manny Theo, you showed him. However, in doing so you have shown “Red Sox Nation” a lineup that did not, and will not, see the World Series. GO SOX.

NOOOOOOO!!! CAN-CER. Time to move on.

Offer him half of what he would have made if his options were picked up. He wont accept that, but at least it would be pouring a little salt in to the wound of his joblessness.

bosoxfannj has the best post - I saw we do it!!

Charles, did you ever play baseball on a real team? Did you ever coach little league? Outside of "writing" about baseball, have you ever been intricately involved in the outcome of a game?

If yes, then you should be ashamed for writing this column.

If no, then you should be ashamed for writing this column.

Have a nice day.

Go back to bed and sleep this one off. You have GOT TO BE KIDDING!

Methinks this was written with tongue firmly planted in cheek and to see if folks would rise to the bait. I should say you all did.

Even if the Sox approached him, does anybody really think Manny would agree to come back here? Give me one good reason why he would. Don't say he'll follow the money - he's an idiot, yes, but not that big of one. He'd be miserable being here again, and he's not in desperation mode. He'll be signed somewhere. He's not going to go the way of Barry Bonds...

Posted by Dean Tong January 22, 09 10:46 AMWhere does he play?
DH? Papi, Rocco already there.
LF? Bay, Rocco already there.
RF? Drew, Rocco already there.
Mars? maybe! ( you should have said .. already there!! )

Pierce is a bad actor and worse comedian. His act is obnoxious whether on TV, radio, or print.

Mr. Pierce-- you certainly have gotten people all riled up.
Is there any chance that you wrote this article with tongue in cheek?

Anyone that truly believes that Manny should be brought back to the Red Sox doesn't know a thing about being part of a team. His teammates have put up with his BS for his entire career. Nobody respects a guy who decides to play hard only whenever he feels like it. What kind of message does it send to a team when one player has his own special set of rules? Take a look at the team that plays in Foxboro... there is not a single guy on that team that is above the rules, and everyone has bought into the system... and look how that's worked out for them. I also happen to think that Manny is the greatest right-handed hitter in the history of the game. He is a first ballot HOF'er. He is a great INDIVIDUAL player. However, I guarantee if you asked every player on the Red Sox their preference between Bay and Ramirez, 100% would say Bay. Put yourself in their shoes... who would you want?

The only cancer in the clubhouse in the assistant traveling secretary who has the ear of too many sportwriters

Your out of your f***ing tree! There is absolutely NO WAY Manny would be welcomed back in Boston. Your better off trying to get A-Rod, which wont happen either, but Manny back in Boston, is an absolute JOKE. They can win with out him. He did his time, we lovED him, and now its time everyone moves on. Stop beating a dead horse and let this disgrace to the game move on to humiliate another organization. His time is done, and every team has slowly started to realize his lack of respect for the game....

Maybe he should just retire, just like he has threatened to do if he doesnt get that ludicrous contract he wanted for a 36 year old.

I like the idea of bringing Manny back for a three year contract under these conditions: We build him a small cubby hole large enough for him and his dreads to fit in at the end of the clubhouse bench, keep him isolated from ever speaking to anyone in the media, never let him talk to his teammates, and pay him a grand total of $37,000 a year. Welcome back Big Bat!

The argument could be made that his antics cost the Sox the pennant this past season. Are any of you really ready to welcome him back?

Wouldn't it be great if the clock could be turned back and Manny hadn't given Red Sox Nation the finger. By withholding his efforts he poisoned the well. I cheered and stuck up for Manny for years and years, but he doesn't deserve another chance with Red Sox Nation. Personally I think he and Scott Boras should fly to Japan and see if someone there will give him a 4 year contract.

You should be repremanded for such an article. I would rather go 0-162 than see that idiot in a Red Sox uniform again.

lmao why i even bothered to read idk......MR can stay where he is...as I can see
nobody breaking their #*!@ to sighn him. Boras is a joker!!!

Never!!! But let's have a vote on it...

With the economy in a death spiral.......to pay someone to play a game and have him not appreciate the $$$$$ or how lucky he is to be playing sports for a living is just wrong!

You should be repremanded for such an article. I would rather go 0-162 than see that idiot in a Red Sox uniform again.

Well ... the Manny option is something that the Sox would not even consider without deep contractual changes to eliminate the problems that occurred prior, as well as forcing Manny to live up to his contract. His agent (Boras) would never go for such language, because he knows that "he" can not control Manny, so how would this effect him if Manny decided to be "Manny being Manny" again. With the current feeling of the Red Sox concerning Boras (they are not accepting ANY of his calls), EVEN if this was a possibility (it is based on zero potential suitors for Manny), I do not believe that the Sox would deal with Boras again this season. In the end, would Manny grow-up and honor an actual contract? Only time will tell. CUrrent actions do not show this is possible.

Type your comment here...Absolutely bring Manny back with a very short lease.It would be with the understanding that Tito is the boss.If Manny forgets that then Mr Henry should release him to The Royals and pickup his salary.Folks we don't have to like the guy{and I don't} we just need him to drive in runs.He would be a great asset to DH against lefy handed pitchers.The only thing I hold against him is taking those three stikes from Mariano...They looked like BP fastballs...He wasn't going to swing if they had been thrown underhanded....Over a full season every pitfielder will get plenty of pt but only Manny has potential to drive in 1100.100....Iwanother WS win..I want it now..Pride

Look, no one argues that he's a great hitter.
But there is zero evidence that he would actually choose to BE a great hitter, especially for the Sox, now that last season's dazzling "I'm so great don't you want to throw huge money at me" performance is over.
Many people would learn from this mistake.
I honestly don't believe Manny is one of them.

With the a contract that is structured the right way and isn't over the top. I say bring him back just keep him in line and you do that with the contract.

The problem I have with article is that it is missing one important element. This is the same element that the "BRING BACK MANNY!!!" people seem to be leaving out of the equation. That is:

What on gods green earth makes you think he wants to sign here? He has admitted himself he hated it here, that’s not Red Sox management spin. So why do you think he would want to come back?

YAZ NEVER JAKED IT!!!!! 23 YEARS IN THIS TOWN AND YOU CANNOT DISS HIM LIKE THAT WITHOUT A RETORT FROM ME. TALK ABOUT NO RESPECT!!

Regardless of the position, finally someone in the sports department that can write other than Bob Ryan.
Manny back? Unlikely. But it could work. Maybe market reality has made Manny grow up. Maybe the market reality of the T-man going to the Y-team has knocked the Sox braintrust down a peg or two.
Winning makes strange bedfellows.

Manny hates Boston and I don't believe would want to come back. I have missed Manny but haven't misses his antics!

BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! please!!!!!!!!!!!

yes yes yes yes
Unless you don't think the Red Sox are good enough to have Manny
I say bring Manny back and you get me back as a fan

Good God people. Chill out!!! It's a &^%$#@ blog! LOL

First, HE QUIT ON HIS TEAMMATES.
Second, HE QUIT ON HIS TEAMMATES.
Lastly, HE QUIT ON HIS TEAMMATES.

And I'm the one unemployed?! Great article.

Never!!! But let all the People speak by doing a vote on this...

[If you guys want to be taken seriously.......please check for typing errors !!! ]

The only people who care about typing online that doesn't involving an online class or their job are those who care too much about trivial things. Only losers care about typing online unless their paid to do so. Get a clue and get a life outside the online world.

Mr. Pierce, I compliment you on a very well written and entertaining column, but seriously??....You can't be serious....

OMG YES!!! MAN...NEE, MAN...NEE, MAN...NEE...

Are you crazy? He's an ignorant moran that quit on his team!

This article was written just to get all of these comments and drive traffic to the site. And it worked. The Globe placed this on the top left corner of the site so you couldn't miss it. This is not a sports story, just a way to generate revenue.
You have been used,.
Next time you see one of these stories, resist the urge to comment and hopefully they will stop.

I already thought he was back! I saw him play goal the other night?

Yes...bring him back!...he should have never left...when he decided at the last minute to ask to stay they should have swallowed their pride and hurt feelings and done so. BRING HIM BACK!!!

For the right price Manny should be invited back. They should talk to the team and Francona first but he is still one of the most feared hitters in MLB. Why not take a chance, give him incentives.

If they signed Manny Id paint my house blue and change my last name to Steinbrenner

WoW...How great would that be! Manny back with the Sox! In a perfect world, this would be a perfect fit for many reasons. I just dont see both sides getting together and hammering out a deal. I think Manny would have some issues with a few of his teammates. But if somehow this could all work out, I think its a no brainer. Bring back Manny!!! Come home Manny!!! Please?

Theo : No No No
Manny: for 20 million .... Yes Yes Yes

This could have been a good article if the humor were a little more apparent. As it is, I have to assume the writer was being serious. In which case I have to surmise he knows next to nothing about baseball.

Hats off to the Anti-Schilling, Mr. Pierce. There hasn't been an article or column in the modern age in any news site that has received more comments with the word "dumb" included. The comments are in tragic fact funnier than the blog entry, despite being posted in the post-Bush era. Maybe W is sending these in, what with all the free time. "MANNY BELONGS IN PRISON FOR ATTACHING A 65 YR OLD MAN"? What kind of email client does the dreaded one have? I'd hate to see his flash drive. Look, this dude rolled over laughing on a live ball and nearly squashed Boras (who was going for his wallet, not a water bottle). Not real funny.

This article was wriiten and conceived by Scott Borass.

Only an idiot would think this was otherwise OK

How about Clemens and Pedro and Damon, too

Alan Lupo would have recognized the humor in this article.

BRING BACK MANNY.

I think Mr Pierce wrote this just to elicit a response from people.

I loved Manny. He was a great player when he wanted to be, and that's the whole problem.

For those out there who are unclear as to why nobody has signed Manny yet, and why nobody is even courting him, let's straighten that out: its because of the price tag. Manny is not really a virus, some evil human being with whom nobody can get along. He's a really good hitter, a poor outfielder, and thus, a (theoretical) pure DH. Pure DH's should not be making the kind of money he is asking for, especially given the length of a contract for which he is looking when he is approaching 40. His best bet is a two year deal, about $20 milion a year, with options for a third and fourth. He'll probably stay in the National League, facing overall weaker pitching (meaning the overall quality is not as good as in the AL, despite the presence of great pitchers like Webb and Hamels), and he'll continue his Hall of Fame career (yes, he is a first ballot HOF'er). However, his value would not go down in the NL just because of the no-DH rule. His offensive prowess would balance out his defesive woes because of said weaker pitching. The problem is he's just like Pedro, looking for the guaranteed money right now, and the Sox will not, and should not, acquiesce. Let him play for other teams, not win championships, and be welcomed back to Fenway as a visiting player in five or six years. People will of course forget they ever hated him, see him put up large numbers, and say "man I wish we had a bat like that."

Incredible talent. Not a team player. It's a team sport. Forget him.

This article is a transparent effort raise the ire of Sox fans, and in doing so, generate a buzz (and web traffic) for OT. Would I like to have Manny's production in the clean-up spot - you bet, but given the manner in which he shot his way out of town, there is ZERO chance of him being brought back by brain trust on Yawkay Way.

Terrible Idea.
Run out of things to write about it?

How about our fearless Greek leader YOUKILIS filling in right behind Big Papi?
A 1st basemen batting in the clean up spot? NEVER!?
haha.

Jason Bay hitting fifth.
We have an offensive juggernaut of a team.
F the naysayers.
F your article.

NO WAY!

Its like taking back a girlfriend that slept with all your friends, talked sh*t about you to everyone behind your back and dumped you for a guy with a better car.
I hope the Red Sox have more self respect than that.

I'm all for bringing Manny back. Package up Lugo and Drew in a trade, move Bay to right. I blame Boras for Manny's behavior.

NO

Oh HELL no!

what is a more stupid, bringing back Manny or having a Democrat as President, though call, I think it is even!

UGH.

Looks like you've reached the bottom of the barrel of things to write about. What a waste of column space. Don't quit your day job, whatever that is.
Stay away from sports and stick to NPR.

I think I know what's going on here. You and Massarotti have a bet to see who can get the most negative responses to an article, right?

Go write for the Herald if that's your deal. I can't stand this antagonistic style of writing. I mean, when you have Callahan calling Big Papi FAT, you have to be truly desperate for readers.

To Jay:
In a baseball forum you brought up a rant about the best QB in football. You think it's disgusting that Tom wasn't on the sidelines this past year.
I saw Bill Belichick asked this very question and he said he told Tom to stay away. He didn't want TB to get injured on the sidelines. And secondly he did NOT want Tom to be a figure on the sidelines while he was trying to get MC comfortable playing the position. He said MC sould be better served without adding the pressure of having TB watch over his shoulder.
So if you want to bad mouth TB, you are also bad mouthing the BEST coach in football. I will take Bill's thoughts on this rather than your rants.

This article is offensive. If I want to laugh at it, I guess I can recall Hoover in "Animal House." after the Deltas have caused a riot in the town, attacked the stands and wrecked the parade, asking Dean Wormer for "one more chance."

But it isn't funny. Manny Ramirez should have been suspended by MLB and fired by the Sox for disloyalty and unprofessional conduct. No team can hire back a player who literally throws a game (as Manny did by intentionally striking out against Rivera in July), faking injuries and giving half-effort in the field without destroying its integrity and the morale of its players. (MGG above is the typical Manny-enabler, who really can't fathom that NO team is better off with a player who will quit on it, as Manny did at least twice (in 2006 and 2008. For those who don't know: The "curly-haired Boyfriend' nickname for Dan S. is the calling-card of a Manny-obsessed Sox website that hypnotizes its posters into believing that a complete lack of professionalism and reliability is acceptible as long as the team does well. It is pathetically deluded, like MGG.) We SAW Manny tanking (he was playing like a different player in LA---read TRYING----and it was sickening to watch after seeing him jog to first for the Sox.) Pierce's article isn't provocative, clever, enlightening or convincing. It is just more Koolaid for the few sad values-free Sox fans who would cheer Satan if he hit 40 homers. That makes it irresponsible. I have enjoyed Pierce's writing in the past, but this proves to me that his opinion isn't worthy of respect.

It appears there is a carbon monoxide leak in your office. The first signs are mental confusion and irrational thoughts. Coma and death will soon follow. You need to call 911 right away.

I am a Manny fan, but I don't think they should bring him back ,and I doubt he would come back. I will say that the smear campaign by the club and media (that's what it appeared to me-and it sounds like the writer of the article would agree with that) against him last summer sickened me, and I haven't been able to support the Red Sox since then (and I grew up here and have supported the Red Sox since the 70's).

It is obvoius to me that there isn't any exciting Sox news to report so the author is trying to create some light discussion. Entertaining discussion but a flat out crazy idea.

I think Charlie is right. Manny was an asset to this team. He always hussled, was the best left fielder the Sox ever had and was a credit to the team and the city in every way. Let's sign him to a five year deal for around twenty five million per year. That would be fair.

You're an idiot.
I ought to have known that though, your 'magazine' is a rag.

BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! BRING BACK MANNY!!! please!!!!!!!!!!!

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
1,000 TIMES NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think there is a perverse part of me (and I assume many others unwilling to admit it) that would love to see this happen, just for the sheer unlikelyhood of it. We forgive Manny, he forgives us, We do business with Boras again. Holy cow, how great would this be? Manny is stewing at every other team right now for not loving him (especially the Dodgers - they'd better steer clear at this point - they will never see 2008 Manny again). If the Red Sox took him back, he'd be on a mission to show everyone else how stupid they were for shunning him, especially the Yankees! And, honestly, who among us would not want the motivated Manny the Dodgers had last year? Here's to dreaming!!

Are you insane? No one wants cancer.

dumb and dumber. It's one thing to make a legit argument, it's another to write a snarky column just trolling for comments. So make your argument and answer all those above questions-- where does he play? how much do you give him? how do you do deal with his late-season antics? it just doesn't work. Try this for your next ridiculous lead so you can watch your comment pile: Manny comes back as catcher.

You are the reason I turned off the Globe 10.0 every time you shared the stage with Bob Ryan and the only time it happened. You are probably the reason why it was cancelled. Now this. Please take the buy-out next time its offered and go watch Manny in Brazil. He was a horrible example of a highly paid, notice I didn't say overpaid, spoiled idiot. He was the reason I bought season tickets in the first place and the reason why I almost gave them up. Thankfully, the Reds Sox did the right thing. I will happily watch this team next season until the next nut cracks, I'm thinking Big Papi, and we have to do cancer surgery.

Very politely, I ask: what in the hell's the matter with you?

Puh-leeze. I would MUCH rather Barry Bonds. I'm not sure you're remember correctly Charlie - Manny wanted out of here.

Dumbest thing I ever read we had him for 20 mil a year how much is it going to cost us now. And what make you think he's going to play any harder than before

Hasn't anyone ever heard of a tongue in cheek article?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

This is the dumbest article I've ever seen. Manny is not coming back. He doesn't want to come back. The Sox office doesn't want him back. The Sox players don't want him back. The fans don't want him back. Everyone is sick of his 5 year old attitude issues.

Put the crack pipe down on the table.........and slowly step away. Are you insane? That dickhead did not want to be here and i am glad he is gone.

You must be insane???

Just wondering, how much did Scott Boras pay you to start this crusade? Heck, other teams are tripping all over themselves to sign this egotistical little turd, it tells you what a 'valuable player' he is seen to be.

Can't wait to see him in the booth with Joe Buck next season.

Scott Boras shafted Varitek and Manny. Under Man-rams old contract Boras got zero-nada-zilch if Sox took up Manny's last 2 option years. Manny would do well in Boras's opinion to get out of that contract and anything new Scott gets a piece of. Manny could have played 2 more years here and retired a god.

Varitek don't go to arbitration your worth 14-15 million a year.. not 10...
wrong again Scott - Varitek can't get 1/3 of that thanks to your sound advice.

Are you kidding me? And where are they gonna put him? WITHIN the Green Monster is the only position/place to put him (he likes it there). I'd say the bench, but he wouldn't sit there and if he did, I'd expect the rest of the team to kick his a__. Yeah, let's cough up $25 mill a year for that creep, give me a break. The Sox will be fine, better then fine, without that dreadlocked headache. He'llreturn to LA, who have no choice but to sign him. But, he'll sign on their terms, b/c no one else wants him, and for good reason...

We do not need players who do not want to play everyday. 20 Million a year to be babysat year after year,good ridance.I'll take Bay for now,at least he plays hard and may not be as good a hitter as Manny,but isnt a slouch either.Manny had it made here and when he's on a losing team he will regret leaving Boston.So long Sucker.

Am I the only guy who thinks his bat was slowing and that .300-35-120 will not be an average season for him?
Something tells me the end of his career will look like the end of Frank Thomas's career: useful, but not worth top dollar.

NO WAY. He's a Cancer without a cure.

Why not? The team's a winner with him. Who cares about how fast he legs out hits. The man is the best hitter in baseball.

Manny is PLAYING BALL EXCELLENT NOW that he's OUT OF BOSTON.
WHY DAMAGE HIS "GOOD PART OF HIMSELF" THAT SEEMS TO BE GOOD FOR THE TEAM HE IS NOW PLAYING FOR..Poor MANNYboy doesn't LIKE IT THERE &WANTS TO COME BACK WHY!! SO HE CAN DO HIS THING - LIKE SELFISH ATTITUDE, DISRESPECTING WHOLE RED SOX TEAMMATES, MANAGEMENT & ONLY PLAY GREAT BALL WHEN HE FEELS LIKE IT????I SAY NO NO TO MANNY! NO COME BACK NO MORE 2 BSN NO-MORE; LET MANNY B MISERABL& AND PLAY GOOD BALL ANYWHERE OTHER THAN HERE. THAN BSN.

Manny deserves to keep his "show" in Hollywood.

GREAT IDEA!!!! That tumor we just had removed in a touchy and controversial procedure, WE SHOULD HAVE IT PUT BACK IN!!! That is brilliant, you should run for the General Manager job if Theo ever leaves, I think you've got some great ideas that could ruin the popularity of this team. That way, the bandwagon will wither away and die, and I can actually get a seat in Fenway again like the old days.

All the Manny fans who want him back here should be asked to make a donation towards his salary. Then we'll see how much the REALLY think he's worth. If Manny IS the savior so many think he is, how about a contract for $50 million if the Sox win the series and $0 if they don't?

NO! NO! NO!!!!!

It says in your bio Charlie that you got "most humorous" in high school, so I know that this was meant to be humorous????...no?....don't cry......I thought....oh wait that was new American Idol judge:Kara last night!

Sorry

And the Eagles should bring back Terrall Owens !

Please, let it go...... Just like most baseball fans, Boston fans take a lot of pride in their team and i just can't stand the thought of slogging through any more of those pathetic MANNY MOMENTS.

Probably more important is the effect of that "Manny Mentality" on the team itself.

What kind of a place would you be in if you were actually on the team and had to put up with that "professional" Prima Donna day in and day out?

OK!

Manny to the Red Sox. George W as Obama's personal advisor and decision maker for the economy and world affairs, plus Bin-laden for UN protocol.

The rest of us for the final shuttle to the moon or other universe destination.

I completely agree, it does not matter what attitude a player projects, or how bad an example of team player he is. The Sox should bring back Manny.
Signed,
Jose Offerman

Just plug him back in the lineup between Papi and Youk. Then trade Bay back to the NL. We can all pretend he was not disruptive and kiss and makeup!
I can't beleive I just wrote that bullcrap!

Manny helped bring us two World Championships! Manny was the World Series MVP in 2004! Manny quit on the Red Sox. If John, Larry, Theo and Tito have any backbone they cannot bring him back. He acted foolish and he quit on us as well, the fans, the nation.

Under no circumstances is it going to happen, (nor should it) so don't discuss it.

When did Manny have the surgery to remove the baseball from his a**?

Bring back Carl Everett!

Yo Chuck-
I know where this comes from. You were in your early 20s when the most beautiful girl at the bar had a little too much wine and brought you home for 10 minutes of bliss. You dated for a few months, but she bolted for a ballplayer…I think it was a catcher…or a third baseman with a sex addiction. Oh, how you mourned her departure. You called, you wrote, you dedicated a book to her…she never responded. Alas, that tale of unrequited love has left its mark upon your soul. Manny (or Mannisita if you prefer) had an affair. Maybe in the beginning it was an affair of the heart (she’d been cheating for years), but as summer turned to autumn she was doing things with another group of boys that would break your heart. Is it the 10 minutes you want back, or are you worried that no one that beautiful will come along again? If you were the type to play casual ball I’d say, “Fine”. But you’re a romantic, Chuck. Now go on and finish that love letter to Stephon Marbury.

It would seem to me that moron manny is getting exactly what he deserves!!You don't get to act like a jackass towards a team like the Red Sox, earn a ticket out of town and sign a long term deal with another club the following year!!What moron manny and beelzabub boras did not consider was that MLB owners are like a fraternity,after all they are respected business men who are spending money to put a product on the field that people like to come and watch.Moron manny and beelzabub boras are like fecal salad and everyone is sick from it or more so because of it and it is damaging to the product name brand.For this reason the Red Sox have washed the poop from their hand s and there are not many other owners willing to risk having poop on their salad andmammmmmaaaooooownerswillintaint h

The Red Sox would be a much better team with Manny. I would LOVE for Manny to come back to Boston.

The Red Sox would be a much better team with Manny. I would LOVE for Manny to come back to Boston.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The guy is a first class LOSER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mr. Pierce
I suspect you have tickled your own sense of humor by writing this article. For your next article, perhpas you can address the "missed opportunity" to return Eric Mangini to the fold in Foxboro?

This is why no one reads the Globe anymore.

Jason Bay is a better baseball player than Scammy......

ONE WORD ....................NO

The Sox are a team and Manny has no idea of what it takes to be part of a team. He is a spoiled brat and deserves to be left out of the game.

Hate to say it .....but I have to agree. The nucleus of the Red Sox Championship teams were Manny and Ortiz, possibly the MOST DEVASTATING one two punch in history. In 2007 the two of them carried the team over Cleveland to get to the World Series. How many one run games did we lose to Tampa last year? Manny would have made a difference. Do we all forget the first time we all thought Manny was gone....only to give him a standing ovation when we found he was staying? Anyone who says the team is BETTER without Manny is just not facing reality. Better in the clubhouse? That can be debated but the Red Sox with Manny Ramirez batting behind David Ortiz is a championship team. Whithout him they are not. Period.

Hell No ! The Red Sox would look like fools

This is one of the stupidest things I've ever read. The Sox paid a huge price to get him to leave (they had to throw in Hansen in order to get rid of him), they're not going to take him back.

Why not? Because he is not a team player, and because no matter how good you are, unless you are committed to the success of the team, you are a detriment, not an asset.

NO-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O

So, yes it is a good idea to Bring back Mannys Numbers! But heck no it isn't a good idea if Manny actually comes back with those numbers! I just want the numbers back! Manny is a very smart hitter, and is controlled by strings through Boras. Dangerous combination. Lets not forget he- the million dollar man- refused to play in games last year just so he could try to earn more millions upon millions he will never spend in his lifetime. With all that said, we can get his numbers back in the middle of the lineup and we can also add Ramirez right smack in the middle! HANLEY RAMIREZ! Sell the farm to get this kid back!

Reminded me of a creative writing project. Couldn't really follow or understand the piece. I give the writer a D+. I don't think it was thought out very well. And for the record, I really liked Manny. But we sure don't need him back.

No Way!!!

Manny Ramirez is the best player to put on a Redsox uniform. How could you say he sits on the bench every year. he plays 154 games a year. I hate it when the redsox fans say he quit on them, Theo Epstien quit on him. on July 28 Tim Mccaver asked theo Epstein if he'd consider tradeing MannyRamirez.. Quote from Theo Epstien
" Well he has a no trade clause but if he was to waive the no trade clause then we would be very intrested in looking at are opions. lying larry lucion, john henry ,and tom werner also were also to blam for what happend. In conclusion the only way i could forgive the organazatin is if they sign manny ramirez!!!!!!!!!!

I guess there are just a few of us who realize that Charlie was joking when he wrote this column. The comments were almost as funny as the article. Keep up the hilarious writing, Charlie. Some of us got it.

Charlie, is this one of those made up stories from Wait, wait, don't tell me? Fool me 7 Augusts, shame of you. Fool me once more, shame, shame, shame on anyone associated with the front office. I don't think there's a drug strong enough to get me to fantasize that Manny could eat one bite of humble pie and then make an honest effort here in Beantown. His only hope is to get signed somewhere else and then play pissed off for the rest of his career. He might even be mad enough to play in August!

Man oh man, whatever you're smoking, stay away from it!!!
who hired these people to write about baseball for the boston globe?
RIP Will McDonough, these days anyone can be a sport writer.
this article is as stupid as they come.

I think all you fanboys that want Varitek back are insane (HE ISNT FREAKING PRODUCING NUMBERS!!) - BRING BACK MANNY!!! SAY NO TO VARITEK!!! All you fanboys that cry about varitek coming back are absolute fools. he is no longer any good. MANNY CAN STILL ROCK THE CASBAH!!!!

The Boston Red Sox have not won a World Series since 1918 WITHOUT Manny Ramirez batting cleanup.

Meanwhile, sportswriters pine away the hours awaiting the return of their hero, "THE CALCIFIED CAPTAIN" (Copyright, OZZY BSMW).

The Boston Red Sox have not won a World Series since 1918 WITHOUT Manny Ramirez batting cleanup.

Meanwhile, sportswriters pine away the hours awaiting the return of their hero, "THE CALCIFIED CAPTAIN" (Copyright, OZZY BSMW).

ridiculous

I would like to have his bat but unfortunatly it`s attached to his brain. Anyway I doubt Manny would ever come back to Boston. It is true that the sox need more hitting or they may not even contend this year unless they win all their games 3-2.

Couldn't come up with a story idea, eh? Obviously there's less than zero chance of this happening. So why write about it?

Manny is an excellent baseball player...when he is in the mood. BUT we do not need him back to carry on his childish actions. Let someone else suffer with him.

I don't understand the "Bring Manny back" posts nor do I understand this article.

Just bring him back? It's that easy? I mean clearly Manny would want to come back to the place he tried to get out of for the last 4 years, right? Clearly Manny wouldn't want to stay where he is right? He's never said how much he loves LA. It must just be that pesky front office and their broken egos, right?
STUPIDITY. Manny will not retire as a Red Sox. Manny is not coming back to Boston. Thank God.

As for a hole in a lineup, has Kevin Youkilis not adequately proven he is a perfect clean-up hitter in this league? .312/29/115. Where's the hole?! Oh sorry Chuckles, he's just a 29 HR hitter, not 30.

Move on Chuck.

Absolutely .............................................NOT !!!!!

Let's see...We dumped him...paid his salary to get rid of him...and had to give up two prospects to get his replacement. Yep. I'd say that is a stupid idea. Oh, and I think that the Red Sox offices have a call block on ageny calls from Boras' zip code for the next 2 years or so.

They tried to get a comparable bat in the failed Texiera debacle, one that would produce similar numbers, protect Ortiz and behave like a civilized adult. That didn't work out due to the fact that Boras played the Sox to drive up his contract, knowing that he would sign with the Yanks. Ironic that the same scumbag probably encouraged Manny to act like a 8-year old spoiled rich kid and whine his way out of town by making his presence so unbearable that the Sox had no choice but to let him go. Bring him back? Never. How about grown men live up to their end of the contract they signed and shut their mouth and play the game. Manny is jobless because of his antics, not because of the market.

Sign Manny to a fat 4yr contract!

Great idea. Who better to replace Manny than Manny?????????????

OK GUYS, this will be a long year getting our asses handed to us by the Yankees. Remember how poorly we hit towards the end of last year and in the playoffs??? remember when we were dying for a clutch hit against the Rays??? Everyone choked. Manny was a pain in the ass, sure, but he could hit the god damn ball and his fielding was not as bad as everyone perceives. Plus he was entertaining for better or worse. As for him fighting with Youkilis and 65 year old men, that shit happens when you spend 9 months together. I want to win and Manny will help us do that.

Back when the team was the loose and winning idiots, Manny was fine and very productive. Now that they are the uptight white boys Manny doesn't fit. This is not Manny's fault. Unless the team can regain that loose, freewheeling demeanor Manny won't work. Oh, and BTW - they won't win anything. Uptight teams never do e.g. The Yankees since 2000.

No.....just no

Must have been a slow news day with this writer completely desperate for material. Still, not an excuse for a totally delusional take from someone whom is not only completely out of touch with management's opinion of the right handed HR nightmare, but has grossly underestimated Red Sox nation's intelligence level.

Are you nuts??!! I lived through many lean years of the Home Town Team, but I would rather see them fight for a playoff bearth and be competitive only to eventually lose than to see that putz back in a Sox uniform. I can put up with a lot of nonsense, but quitting on your team is not acceptable, and should not be rewarded. Let the Yankees have him.

Why?
Because he stood at home plate in Yankee stadium and took three stikes. We all got it.
He was voted off the island by HIS TEAMMATES.
The best hitter in baseball has not been signed because everyone else got it too.
Well, not everyone.
If I bitch-slapped you once, I'll bitch-slap you twice fer sure.

He gave up on the RedSox which I believe we would have won it all last year. I`d take 100 Jason Bays before I even thought of signing this over paid baby. Wonder why he hasn`t signed that big contract yet??? Not even in the same class as Williams, Yaz or Rice. People are losing their job etc and this guy thinks he should be paid 25mil+ for the next 4 years. Looks like he`s back in LA. Nobody cares anymore.

JUST NO! NO, NO, NO We are SOOOOOO much better without him. Jason Bay has been nothing short of SPECTACULAR and was incredible. We don't need Manny should stay in L.A. or wherever he ends up.

"Chemistry is a building block to championships. The 04 and 07 sox proved that."
>You mean the '04 and '07 Sox teams with Manny on the roster?
"Bay is younger and a better all around ball player."
>Lay off the pipe.
"Character and chemistry are more important than stats."
>See first reply.
"...I will stop blogging about him."
>Say it ain't so! The great dbmedia will no longer blog about Manny. Tragedy!
"MANNY BELONGS IN PRISON FOR ATTACHING A 65 YR OLD MAN"
>Stop yelling at me. And what the hell are you talking about?

Oh, sure....Manny played hard right to the end. And a real team player. Bringing him back would be just what Sox need. LOL

NNNNope. Not a chance.

Why don't you get another job!!! You're certainly not qualified for this one!

Apparently "change" applies to journalism too! Write something completely stupid knowing damn right well EVERYONE will disagree with you & of course read the article. Over 200 comments, nice job.

Great use of kerfuffle! in the sports pages, no less !!
But I've been reading you for years, Pierce, & I don't quite get the lava reference.
Tek, Heidi, Pierce, someone-- enlighten me?

Secondarily, You people do not seem to realize this is a piece of SATIRE.

Manny Bring Back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bring back rickey henderson. he slides into home plate after hitting a homer.

I was at Fenway for Manny's last game before he was traded. He was doggin' it left and right...trotting to balls he would have dove for "if his knee/back/whatever he was crying about that week" wasn't hurting him. THE NEXT DAY he's in California RUNNING the bases, DIVING for balls, etc. like he was 25 again. The ENTIRE team voted him off the team. That speaks volumes. Lets get someone from the farm that WANTS to be in Boston. This same farm brought us Youk, Pap, and Pedroia among others. There's got to be someone, ANYONE, better than Manny. Perhaps someone who puts the good of the team and Boston first and thinks before he opens his mouth and shoves his foot in.

No thanks.....would rather the Sox take their chances....

For the same reasons that he HAD to go, he has to stay gone.

The Sox have a huge hole in their offense?!? Really?!? Last time I checked, with a banged up Lowell, Drew and Ortiz, the Sox offense averaged about a run and a half more a game and lead the league in runs scored per game from the day Manny left. I love how there aren't any Red Sox fans out there anymore with any common sense.

Red Sox fans have endured the antics of Manny enough. He was an instrumental part of the success of the Sox in years past and was paid well for his contributions but he committed the ultimate sin by 'boycotting' and quitting on his team, his loyal fans and abandoning his fellow players when they needed him to step up and do his job. Why should the Red Sox reward him when nobody else is willing to take a chance with his immature, juvenile attitude? What makes you think that the Sox players want him back? How much did Boreass pay you Mr. Pierce to float this idea out to the Nation? Screw Manny and Scott Boreass too. Let them squirm like the snakes that they are.

two words: Clubhouse Cancer

Purely for his bat, I'd love to see it happen. There is no hitter like him. The numbers, the post season performances. He is one of a kind. (And Theo and Co. know this better than anyone.) But you can't ignore the way he left town. If you welcome him back, you condone his actions. The team needs to make a stand and send the message to players that they are accountable for their actions.

YES!

Manny! Manny!

Electric.

Manny! Manny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would burn my Red Sox cap if that ever happened. The only team I would wish him on is the Yanks!

I say fuggggitabout it! Manny is gone and good riddance! However There IS another bat available. Bobby Abreau was top of the board in Home runs, Hits and stolen bases. He is available why don't the Red Sox consider him. Definitely forget Manny and any clown that uses Boreass as an agent.

Bring back Manny or Tek. Let's think about it. One quit on his team and the other quit on his family for a hot NESN reporter. Hmmm....did someone say something about integrity and commitment???

I bet the Yanks don't even want this jerk.

This has got to be the most ridiculous column ever. He is a quitter and his teammates wanted him out. Do you think they would want him back? The team will be fine with Jason Bay in left. A guy who wants to be here, a guy who is not too conceited, a guy who knows what it is to be a good teammate. No more of this fake injury I hurt my knee crap. Anyone who commented they want him back is NUTS!

Interesting article Mr. Pierce. What do you do in your day job?

Not without a lobotomy and/or personality reprogramming first (for Manny, but maybe even for Charlie, considering he brought up the idea!)

It pisses me off that everyone who isn't a die hard sox fan is saying that we have a hole in the lineup. what do we consider kevin youkilis and jason bay? honestly, manny carried the dodgers because he chose to sincerely play for the first time in recent years. ramirez has this mentality that because he has the best natural swing in the game he can do whatever he pleases at any time. he carried the dodgers not because he got some "second wind" it was because he finally decided to use that oh so precious swing to make himself the hero of a town again. youk batted .312 with 29 homeruns and 115 rbis in 08 while jason bay will bat around .300 with roughly 35 homeruns next season when he plays the full year at fenway. if those numbers aren't enough to take away david ortiz's insecurities of lack of lineup support then perhaps even the great big papi shouldn't be playing with the sox anymore. when you're protected by jason bay, kevin youkilis, jd drew, and a healthy mike lowell, you have no reason to cry.

I would do it. Look the Red Sox have a need and Manny fills it. He quit on the team, he's selfish, blah blah blah. The bottom line is as soon as he got to LA LA land Manny started swinging the bat like Babe Ruth again. There's not deterioration of his skills. He's still the best right handed hitter in the game and probably the best right handed hitter of the past 30 years. John Henry needs to pay Manny a little visit, have a sit down with him, and explain to him look Manny we want you back and we want you to finish your career in a Red Sox uniform. That said, we are prepared to offer you a 3 year 63 million dollar deal with a club option for a 4th. However, built into that contract are several clauses regarding number of games played, character, as well as multiple other caveats to ensure that Manny behaves. Whine and gripe all you want about his attitude but the simple fact is you can't replace the production. Sure Jason Bay can hit no question about it. But does J Bay strike fear into the heart of an opposing pitcher the way Manny does? There is NOBODY that an opponent wants to see coming to the plate less with the game on the line then Manny Ramirez. Why? For the simple reason that Manny has delivered time and time and time again. Most importantly he's at his best when it matters the most (October) J Bay becomes great trade bait, deal him back to the NL for prospects. Get Manny's signature on a deal. Manny back in this lineup with a healthy Mike Lowell, Ortiz, Glass Jaw JD, Youk, and Pedroia along with the rotation of Beckett, Lester, Dice K, Penny, Smoltz (with Bucholz and Bowden waiting in the wings) makes this team a handsdown World Series favorite regardless of what those morons in the Bronx decide to do with their checkbooks. This might not be the most popular thing to do but it is the RIGHT thing to give this team the best chance to win THIS YEAR. I'm not afraid to say it at this point I view anything other than a World Series appearance as a failure for this organization. The bar has been set at that level and as fans paying the highest ticket price in baseball we are entitled to a winning, championship caliber product on the field every year. Work out the logistics after the deal is done but Manny in a Red Sox Uniform again would be music to this fans ear.

Anywhere but here, pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. I hope the Sox's management feels the same way. I would rather become a Yanks fan than let this happen.

I don't think Manyy would come back no matter how hard we tried. That's just his way. Making this article a complete waste of time.

If you were trying to go with satire you missed the mark - a la Scott Norwood...

Assault and Battery are not the traits we look for in our players! We need a "CHANGE" in professional baseball. Respect for the fans, respect for the game and a little humility especially with the million dollar contracts flying around. I don't expect them to pay for peanuts, but there are families out there in the MLB tee shirts scrapping by and losing jobs. Manny and I did love the man prior to last years physicality, needs to lose his job for good and eat a little humble pie a la mode.

Chuck how about putting up one of those survey links?

We didn't get rid of him, he got rid of the team by acting like an unprofessional pouty teen rock star. Too bad, he's one of the greatest hitters combined with one of the world's biggest divas. Fuggedaboudit!

You need your head examined! Let Manny stay where he is, or better yet, let him disappear into oblivion.

Bringing Manny back would return a Hall of Fame hitter with stats to match his presence in the line up. Regardless of the distractions invented by local media, Manny's production remains constant. He hits, has hit, and will continue to hit.

On top of that, his return would keep Dan Shaughnessy employed. Shaughnessy (in order to capture another 15 minutes of fame) could return to the business of running Manny out of town.

This article was obviously written to generate a rise out of the readers...Guess what? It worked! 205 responses so far and counting. Must be a contest going on among the Globe writers to see who can generate the most responses. For the record.....Manny is a discredit to the game of baseball. He happens to be a very talented player who simply does not know how to deal with his talent. His misuse of talent will ultimately result in his losing that talent.

Mr. Pierce, it is obvious to me that you should immediately consider the purchase of a Plexiglas navel insert. Your chronic case of cranial rectumitis has affected your ability to see reality. The Red Sox starting lineup does not have the gaping hole in the middle you have seen. Perhaps you were confused by the overdose of double-chocolate donuts you had. When one takes the time to read an opinion piece such as this, one has the right to expect a well-thought-out essay, not merely some words intended to fan the flames of controversy. Let's face it, you are behaving just like Mr. Ramirez by authoring a very poor performance. I certainly hope, for your sake, that management is a bit more forgiving than that of the Red Sox.

a who cares...yeah let all that happen go.. Ortiz will be so happy ;) BRING MANNY back we need it ;)

Don't people understand that the article is a tongue-in-check piece using the spirit of Obama's inaugural address? Reaching an open hand to Manny is in a similar vein to doing so to the Muslin extremists of the world.....?

I for one would rather end up in LAST PLACE on the AL East then waste the teams money on Manny... Ticket Prices are high enough as it is. unless they can get him a a substantial discount... say 5.5 Mill for a one year contract... then maybe... But the disruption in the clubhouse would not merit taking him back...

bring back izzy alacantra and carl everett while were at it too...
we could use cy young and tris speaker...

You couldnt find anything type about today huh? I wish I could be payed to wright about garbage! The globe is slipping, halve of the writers are terrible.

There's a reason that no other teams are jumping to sign him. Sure he might be a lifetime .314 hitter but who cares what his batting average is if he refuses to swing... or worse refuses to play. He's a cancer to the clubhouse and the one really good thing we have going for us right now is team chemistry. Let's not screw that up!

if Manny is willing to sign with the redsox again and forget about all the hoop pla
in the past then go for it. He's the best right handed hitter in Baseball right now as we speak so. Give him 15-20 mil sign him for 1 year and then go from there

2009 world series champs

WHAT PLANET DID YOU SAY YOU WERE FROM YOU IDIOT! YOU BELONG ON WEEI WITH THE OTHER NITWITS. WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD WE WANT HIM? EVEN THE PLAYERS WERE HAPPY TO SEE HIM GO. DON'T START BRINGING UP THIS CRAP NOW. THERES A SUPERBOWL ABOUT TO BE PLAYED TRY WRITTING SOMETHING RESPONSIBLE. MOVE TO LA YOU JERK!!!

Yes bring him back! Why not a base of @ 7-8 mil with a ton of incentives it makes complete sense!!! why wouldnt you want him on your team! He will be a monster again I have been saying this ever since free agency started. I bet Manny would entertain the idea as well... so we can get 145-150 games/yr 300 35 120 for 12-15 million a year i would take it in a heartbeat

Bring That Man Back Now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONO

They need to sign someone like Teixiera

Enjoy your many witticisms and turns of phrase. Still, there is more than one way to skin a cat, and the Sox don't need the Big Headache in order to win. Not sure Jason Bay is the answer, as it remains to be seen if he'll be as successful against AL pitching. Superior ptching and defense means fewer runs required. Remember the old Baltimore O's.

Hey Charlie, stick to "Wait, Wait Don't tell Me".

This was the stupidest sports article I've read in a long time.

Yeah, bring back the scrotum slap too.

Yes bring him back! Why not a base of @ 7-8 mil with a ton of incentives it makes complete sense!!! why wouldnt you want him on your team! He will be a monster again I have been saying this ever since free agency started. I bet Manny would entertain the idea as well... so we can get 145-150 games/yr 300 35 120 for 15-18 million a year i would take it in a heartbeat

Boston fans are full of it ! I hope they never make it back to the playoffs, Manny was the one that got you 2 WS ring , go back before he got there , how many rings ? Manny made ORTIS a baseball player , ( you will miss him for sure)

I used to love Manny, but once he displayed childish antics, I realized how selfish he is. That will not change, and I don't believe in going backwards. Move forward.

NO WAY MAN!!! ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!

Listen, Manny just wanted an extended contract. He didn't want the Sox to pick up his options because by the time the two are up, he's 38 not 36. Big difference in bball. Manny made these concerns known way before he was acting out and forcing Theo's hand. THeo should have given him a four year extension 2 years ago. Then he could've been our DH when Papi loses his poppy. I actually think it is great idea. Sign him for 3 years plus one option for around $54M and call it a day.

The best hitter in baseball is available.

To all you Manny Bashers out there and those saying Bay over Manny...answer this for me...with Manny do the RedSox beat the Rays in Game 7? I believe so. With that win, we most likely take another ring home as well. He has no other suitor and we could create an incentive full contract to convince him that this is his home. His wife loved Boston and I suspect he did too. Admittedly, he was a baby about his "pay day" and terms, but how much of that should we blame on Boris? Think of it...it was Boris who most likely advised Tek not to take arbitration...and look how that is working for him. All in all, Manny played a hell of a left field...remember in the ALCS of 2004 when he made the amazing catch in the corner. There were other great play at important moments...how about when he threw a runner out at the plat in the 04 WS! We all seem to remember his off days...but think of the possibilities....and don't forget how critical he was in helping our team win it all...his bat was awsome...how about the Game 2 ALDS game in 2007...that was awsome...I for one wish Manny the best and would love to have him back.

It seems to me that most folks have their head on straight in thinking this is the worst idea to come down the pike in a long time.

With that said some folks think it make sense. If signing Manny made sense why has no other team, with the exception of the Dodgers, made and attempt to do so? I can tell you why, it is because Manny is a talented athelete whose selfishness and child like behaviour greatly out weigh his atheletic ability.

When Manny is happy he is great, when he is not he is a cancer to your team and club house. Why would you want to put yourself at that risk when no other team in baseball is willing too? He has turned on you once, he will do it again.

All outfield positions are solidified. There is no room for Manny on this roster. Not to mention the fact that the team thinks he quit on them, which he did.

I am no longer going to read anything you write.

I find it ironic to be reading this story on the Boston Globe, a prime player in the "get rid of Manny" hatchet job that went down last summer. Manny can be an idiot, but even he wouldn't be stupid enough to come back to this town after the way he was treated.

Mr Pierce...you provocateur you.....This is a joke piece....right? If not....DID YOU FORGET THAT THE "MAN-CHILD" DID EVERTHING HE COULD TO GET HIMSELF OUT OF TOWN?!?!?! THAT HE WANTED TO BE HERE ACCORDING TO HIS OWN WORDS??? He commiserated with Nomah and Petey abouot how badly the Sox treated them all in their tenures here. Please God....I should have been treated so "horribly" by any of the employers I have had. There is no way Theo is going to bring back the whining, sloppy...stupid show that is Manny Ramirez. I wonder why there are no offers for this future HOF players talents? Hmmmmm

Yes bring back manny, he is never going to have it as good as he did in boston and is not going to get the money he wants because no one is pushing for him, Boras should realize that he royally screwed up, and come back to boston where all manny has to do is produce, what he does best, and as long he does that no one will care, once he starts cracking homers again and driving in base runners everyone will get over it

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD LET THE MANCHILD BE!!!!

Bring back Manny? Why don't we bring back the Plague? Why don't we sign the guy who threw the slice o' pizza at the other guy? Why don't we just have the team wear uniforms that say "Sad Sacks o' Monkeys"? Why don't we give the chick who sweeps the bases between innings a glove and say, "left field is over there"?

I couldn't stand one more July with that 8th-grade dropout stinking up the airwaves. Besides, Tacoby Ellsbury (sp?) ran home from 2nd base on a pass ball or something like that. Character, man, character...

YES
offer him the major league minimum and provide incentives for everything positive
let the man earn his money
he makes millions, the sox get production, he tanks he loses

Bring back Manny? Is that some kind of Joke? That would be the worst thing this ball club could do. Anyone who things they should bring him back has obviously never played Baseball or any sport for that matter. All Manny does is cause problems in the locker room, which in the long run isn't worth it even if he does hit 30 hrs a year. Give be a break, Bring Back Manny. I would much rather see them bring back Mo Vaughn haha.

Oh please, those people bashing poor MANNY... WHILE HE WAS WINING HE WAS THE GREATEST BASEBALL PLAYER EVER RIGHT????? LET HIM BE MANNY AND BRING HIM BACK SO I CAN START WATCHING THE GAME AGAIN...
BRING MANNY BACK, BRING MANNY BACK

Let me think about this one for a sec. NOOOOOOOO!!!!! We need real baseball teamplayers, no ego maniacs!!!

Sure - bring him back for one game so that we can boo the crap out of him - then ship his butt off to KC or Pittsburg to rot away.....

There would be a revolt on the team if he ever came back. Our great manager would be demoralized. I hope we do nothing for Boras or any of his prospective clients after the Texiera debacle and the Varitek situation. It would be very embarassing for the Sox I am sure after they let the other GMs know what Manny did to the team. Don't be surprised if and Youkilis and Bay both hit over 30 home runs and drive in a ton of runs. Youk gets better and stronger each year and Jason will have a couple months of AL pitching under his belt.

All of the positive comments to this article must have been made by the same guy as they all sound similar. No matter! In my opinion before bringing back Varitek and Manny (UGH) would be for both of them to FIRE Borass first and foremost. He is definately a Scumbag and always have been. I believe he's the reason that both remained unsigned so far.

Why don't you get another job!!! You're certainly not qualified for this one!

There's no need to waste our time with this talk. No chance ownership will consider this!

ADAM DUNN! ADAM DUNN! ADAM DUNN! ADAM DUNN! ADAM DUNN! ADAM DUNN! ADAM DUNN!

Ohh..Absolutely bring him back! Think of the myriad betting pools that will abound:
1. First day he begins to tank over some imagined slight
2. Whose outfield throw will he cut off from medium left field
3. How many bathroom breaks inside the monster by May 1?
The list is endless

At what price and terms would he be available?

This is utterly rediculous, and a gross attempt for the writer to try to make himself visible by trying to be controversial. It's disgusting journalism, and he has just made himself out to be a total joke. Is this the only way you can get people to read your articles these days, just to try to make yourself relevant? Just pathetic journalism. Writers really need to be accounatble for the trash that they write. Is this really the kind of journalism The Globe wants to publish? You're an idiot Mr. Pierce.....a true idiot.

LOSER NATION!!! We LOVE Manny....oh what they traded him? We Hate Manny now. Manny was a jerk from day 1 and it took you dopes 8 years to realize it. Boston used to have the smartest fans in baseball, but since the creation of "Redsox Nation" they are now the most stupid fans in the game led by their leader EL Presidente Remy. LOSERS

LOSER NATION!!! We LOVE Manny....oh what they traded him? We Hate Manny now. Manny was a jerk from day 1 and it took you dopes 8 years to realize it. Boston used to have the smartest fans in baseball, but since the creation of "Redsox Nation" they are now the most stupid fans in the game led by their leader EL Presidente Remy. LOSERS

NO, NEVER BRING HIM BACK!!!! NEVER!!! Are you insane??!!

The Red Sox won 2 titles with him. By my last count, they've won ZERO without him. He is the greatest right handed hitter this town has ever seen. Stop pretending you don't want him. As soon as he hits his first home run, you'll fawn over him again. Be honest: nobody wants to root for robots like Varitek, Bay and Youkilis.

"Yes...bring him back!...he should have never left...when he decided at the last minute to ask to stay they should have swallowed their pride and hurt feelings and done so"

Actually Sharon, that last move by Manny should have absolutely cemented him being kicked out of down. There is constant speculation about that infamous at bat against Mo and if he purposefully struck out or not, thereby fueling the debate of whether or not he was trying as a Sox. But that is a clear admission that he was purposefully tanking it - "take me back and I'll behave". Should never have been misbehaving to start with. Manny and Scott made this bed, now let them lie in it. I laugh everytime I think about him still not having a job.

For the question on what Tek did over the summer, the only thing I can think of was some rumors of an affair with a sports writter. Don't see how that is worse then physically assulting the elderly.

Agree though that this column is not serious and was used only to attract readers

I'd rather lose.

Charles,
Sorry, but at this point, your sarcastic writing is boring. ...really! You must be the other guy that was seen drinking with Enrique Wilson and Manny at the hotel bar, the night after he declared himself "too ill to play" against the Yanks in 04.....

Nothing else came to mind to try to stimulate talk on a slow sports day, huh?

Why don't you follow up with a column on why the Pats should fire Belichick because he didn't get them to the playoffs this year?

That guy is a clown. he acted like a donkey in boston and now no one wants him. karma is a bitch manny. you reap what you sew.
P.S. you look like an idiot with your hair like that.

You have a problem employee. He makes a ton of money but is very immature, causes problems in the office occassionally makes a fool of himself, but you put up with it because he produces. He decides that he wants to leave but doesn't want to "officially" quit because of no compete contracts, etc. So he acts out passed the point of acceptability, calls your boss a liar, and basically forces you to fire him. He does this every year or so, but this year, he's gone to a whole nother level so you give him his walking papers. A few months pass and the former employee is in need of a job. You don't really need him, but with his production, you're a lock to meet your annual goals. But, you have a bunch of young people on your staff and this guy is not exactly the role model you want the kids to follow. Do you hire him?

I think too many people dont want he came back, but, i think if We WANT MORE CHANPIONSHIP for the BOSTON RED SOX. WE NEED MANY

I hope Manny wins a world series with Yankees to make you idiots feel stupid. You idiots act like every single player on the roster wouldnt leave if they were offered more money or chance to play for the greatest Baseball Franchise of all time whether you idiots like it or not. And for the record Red sox fans are absolutely horrid.

I never cared about all the goofy stuff with Manny, but anyone who collects $20 million and dogs it so he can get out of town or get a bigger contract earns an automatic nomination for d-bag of the year. I don't know what Ramirez would be doing if our society didn't place such an OBSCENELY high value on the ability to hit a baseball, but my sense is the job would have him uttering the words "You want fries with that?"

That aside, if he could grow up a little, I wouldn't mind seeing him in Boston again. But that would involve dealing with Scott Boras, a man whose morality is one notch above child molester. I'll pass.

Anyone who thinks it is a good idea to bring Ramirez back to the Sox clearly does NOT understand the intrinsic dynamics of TEAM and teamwork. The true value of a player is not always measured by Stats.

Boy - you are dumb. You don't get it. There is more to winning than stats. Manny is a cancer. I am loving every day he goes wihtout an offer. Here's to hoping he signs for less than 20M!

Well, people like Classless are true idiots when they say they don't want to root for robots like Bay, Youk and Varitek. Manny will play for Manny, not you. As long as you are stupid enough to put money in his pocket by supporting him, he will continue to walk to first on ground balls and destroy a clubhouse. Honestly, if any of you think Manny would be a hero in this town if he returns, you are truly ignorant.. The past is gone and thankfully so is Manny.

If Sox brass would even consider doing that, they would be castrated for letting him leave last year when he probably was the difference in another WS for us. Bring him back NOW...your NUTS junior.......NUTS!!

Bring Manuel Ramirez back!!!!!!

Ya hear me!

Thanxs.

By Far the most idiotic column I have ever read. Charles peirce, you are an INCOMPETENT TOOL !!!!! You don't even state any valid arguments to bring back that quit on his teamates, coaches, and most of all us fans peice of @$#%!!!!!..What's the deal charlie, nobody is reading your columns, You have to write this garbage to get people to pay attention to you. Truley MORONIC YOU LITTLE TROLL!!!!!!!

I think we should sign the Tooth Fairy.

Article is right on. Makes way too much sense, they'll never go for it.

My friend Manny era is a past tense, go...went....gone :)

I see no problem with opening the doors of communication. Let Boras know we're not going to bend over backwards to sign Manny; yet if Manny has any mutual interest in finishing where he began his HOF career...that MAYBE the sides could test a one-year contract. Contracts these days have clauses that cover just about anything. So yes, create one saturated with incentives and force Manny to play the game like it should be played. And if he flakes out, don't pay him. There is value for Manny to return if he could remove the chip from his shoulder and stop thinking that he is the second coming of Jesus Christ. Nobody has to admit fault, Platoon him all over the place, but have his bat in every game. He should not be a staring outfielder...but let him rotate in and out and share DH time with Ortiz. Also do not remove Ortiz from the lineup, yet platoon him at first when Lowelll needs a rest .

Typical Boston Red Sox fans. They know nothing and think that they know everything. Listen, you front runners: the Red Sox will suffer greatly this year from a lack of power production, and Manny is a lock to be voted to the Hall on his first ballot. No one has come close to putting up his numbers year after year. Jim Rice pales in comparison, and you are the same crew who has been supporting his phony nomination to the Hall for all these years. How many World Series did we win then?

Check out Manny's numbers the month before he left Boston. He was absolutely raking the ball. I know we all want to believe the front office, but maybe Manny was, in fact, injured.
He says he was injured, and his numbers were down. He got healthier, and the numbers went up.
Players who have DUI's and hit women have "character issues". Manny is by all accounts one of the hardest workers in all of baseball. And he proved how important he was in our lineup. It's not the same without him.

Oh, come on, forgive and forget. Offer the Mannster four years at $30M a year and call it all even. Jeesh !

If it would close the deal with Borass then put in clause that Manny can knock down or punch out (his choice) any ball club personnel at his discretion.
Put in another clause that gives him the week off before and after the All Star game for any planned deaths in the family.
Oh, and he can come to spring training just for the last week, home games only.
The team will make an announcement before every game that the fans should not have any performance expectations of Manny and should just sit back and enjoy his shenanigans for entertainment value only...kind of like the announcement warning fans not to go on the field.
He is not required to tip clubhouse boys any more than he did over the last few years. That is....zero.
He should be allowed to go into the left field wall to rest or visit the rest room at anytime, not just between innings.
And by contract he should be allowed to stand in the batters box for a full 7 seconds after every ball hit, fair or foul.
Manny should be allowed to make up the lineup card for each game so he decide when he wants to play and where he'll hit in the order.
By contract he should only be required to run out home runs because he can do so at his leisure.
If required to pinch hit on one of his many days off, then he is not required to swing the bat. If, by chance, he were to get a base on balls in that situation, then the team would be required to assign a pinch runner for him.
The team will have their lawyers get a restraining order that will ban all sportswriters from the clubhouse.
They will also get a restraining order prohibiting Kevin Youklis from being so damn competitive. Chill out, man.
Manny will be allowed to go into the stands to high five fans for every ball that's hit to him, even if it's a "live" base hit.

Seems like reasonable accommodations.

There is a better chance of everyone getting hit by lightning than Manny coming back to Boston, he made his bed now be a big loser Boras client and go play in Japan. Ramirez is without a doubt one of the best all time hitters in baseball but is a total moron, whiny little B**** who sulks when he doesnt get his way. People are losing their jobs left and right, baseball players make millions for playing a game kids love to play. I hope he doesnt get a job until the season starts and he has to take a hugh pay cut.

What am I missing? Manny wanted to leave and why would we want him back. He is also an aging player who has a few good years but he is at the tail end of his career and in a few years the Sox would just need to start shopping for a replacement anyway. Let's move on to new business.

I would rather have a respectable ball club that goes out and plays the game hard every day, and loses in the ALDS than have that mop-headed, rainbow colored mouthpiece chewing, lazy, self-loathing jackass anywhere in the Fenway including the surrounding neighborhoods. Manny doesn't know what the word team means, it's not in his vocabulary and the one time he used it in a sentence, it was not sincere and he mispronounced the actual word. He is ANTHRAX right in the face of every single member of the Red Sox organization. Manny can be Manny in retirement in the confines of his Florida home and see how glorious that is. It's not just as easy as getting him back and inserting him into the hole in the lineup. He's a distraction for anyone involved or who follows Red Sox Baseball.

I'm a die-hard Sox fan living in upstate NY and I have been since the days of Frank Malzone and Dalton Jones. If they ever take this bum back I'll definitely find another team to root for.

How funny.....Relax all....I think the article was meant to be elicit some emotion....I think it succeeded.....more important question is...how is DiceK going to be in Sep after throwing 1 billion pitches because of the WBC...I hate that stupid thing...Bud Selig is bag man....

Mr. Pierce-
Are you available to broker Peace in the Middle East? BTW, can Manny catch?

for better or worse, dude's gone...for better or worse, he'll never be back in a Red Sox uniform.

So what is the point in talking about it?

NEVER! I'd become a Yankees fan before I would root for Manny.

Stupidest suggestion I've EVER read. Anyone who doesn't know why is either a moron or has been in communicado for the past thee years. Looks like I can skip over the Globe Magazine articles.

Come on dummy,
What's next, a debate on whether or not we can trap and train a sasquatch to hit a slider?
How about a serious consideration about ignoring goof-ball journalists who have nothing significant to print.
Your mon asked me to add, "your a moron and you always were." Her words dude not mine. Well, back to bed.

TCB

This piece was written by the same moron who wanted to put Youkilis in the outfield in the World Series in 2007. When I heard him say that gem on the Globe 10.0 I lost all respect for his opinion. Charlie, stop writing about and talking about sports. It is time for you to find a new profession dude.

You must be kidding! Manny is a stereotypical example of an athlete with a million-dollar body and a ten-cent brain. He has the emotional maturity of a 12-year-old and only plays his best baseball when he has a positive attitude. If he's feeling happy and cares about the success of the team, he plays like a champion. Otherwise, he's just a good hitter, a clumsy fielder, and a big behavioral problem on and off the field. His sudden burst of productivity with the Dodgers proves that beyond any doubt. He wanted a change and it improved his attitude, at least for a while. Given his history with the Red Sox, the probability of him feeling happy to be back in Boston is about zero.

"The Red Sox won 2 titles with him. By my last count, they've won ZERO without him. He is the greatest right handed hitter this town has ever seen. Stop pretending you don't want him. As soon as he hits his first home run, you'll fawn over him again. Be honest: nobody wants to root for robots like Varitek, Bay and Youkilis."

Amen. Manny is the best Right Handed Hitter ever, and most likely better than any other active one (A-Rod included). The Red Sox without Manny provides for the most boring team I've ever seen. Snooze Fest 2009 with Don Orsillo at the helm. Bring back Manny, and while they're at it, bring back Sean McDonough too.

bring back manny? why dont we bring back that fella named buckner too u clown

Charlie, are you referring to the recently departed inveterate ingrate LFer ("the best pure hitter anyone has ever seen!")? The debutante Dodger? You mean the "Manny-being-Manny" jejunum who attacked the club's elderly traveling secretary and whose only job was to be of assistance to His Cretin-ness? You mean the raucous rictus, the anti-Red Soxer? NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! Charlie, didn't they toilet train you at St. John's? After I read your piece, I can assure you that my father (a Red Sox fanatic for 65 years) is turning over in his grave!

must be a slow news day

Manny WHO??????

Majority rules, we don't want him.

BRING BACK MANNY! IT WAS A HORRIBLE DEAL TO GET RID OF HIM IN THE FIRST PLACE . WE CAN FIX THIS COUNTRY, AND WE CAN FIX THIS RELATIONSHIP , YES WE CAN ! MANNY, MANNY , MANNY, MANNY , MANNY , MANNY, MANNY, MANNY, MANNY!

Charlie, at last count, there were 394 responses to your piece! Mission accom-plished, huh?

Charlie, at last count, there were 394 responses to your piece! Mission accom-plished, huh?

YES! Bring back Manny! He will always be a Red Sox no matter where he goes, so let's bring him back. Also, if Manny wants to return this can be a great prodigal son experience for all involved. I predict that the Red Sox will win the 2009 World Series if Manny is on the team. GO SOX!

Someone on here said they would rather lose in the playoffs than take Manny back and win.. WTF??? We used to have die hard, hardcore fans who only cared about winning. Now, we can only win with conditions??? WTF, I'm ashamed to even share the same ballpark with you LOSERS! Say what you want about The Yankees, they want to win at any cost. You guys have become soft since we won in 04'.

Classless, you are classless which is why you would want classless Manny back! He gave up on his team to force a trade, the team is far better off without Manny Distraction!! "Robots like Yoook, Tek and Bay"; you are not only classless but stupid, too>

simply put, only a true idiot would want manny back.
If you truly want him back, then give up your red sox fandom, you know nothing about baseball at all. just forget it, there is no and i say again NO argument that can be rationally made to get him back. He destroys clubhouses, he wants way tomuch money, and where would you play him?
please go back to watching the revs or something.

Manny Ramirez is a criminal and a cheat. No way must he return to the Fens. And seven productive years? This guy doesn't know his fractions! Lying down and fakin' it in August does not make a full year!

I'm simply fed up with the spoiled attitude around here that our offense has some huge hole now. Why don't we start using data since few writing for the globe can actually use their head to compile an intelligible article about what the Sox look like going into 2009. The data say that the Red Sox averaged almost a run HIGHER per game after trading Manny. Sure it's not the biggest sample size around, but the offense was better without him last year. Let us not forget that that sample also includes a David Ortiz wrist injury, a Drew bad-back, and an injured Mike Lowell. That same offense, only healthier and with a better bench, will be going into 2009. Ortiz won't be worse even through everyone is ready to write him off. Lowell might tank, sure, but Jacoby and Lowrie should both be better. The pitching staff is deeper than both the 2004 and 2007 teams and the pen is arguably the best (on paper) in the majors. The next ridiculous argument out there is that Ortiz or whoever needs "protection". This is one of those myths that people who can write but can't analyze the game don't understand. Look at Ortiz's numbers without Manny in the lineup through his career with the Red Sox and you'll see nearly identical numbers with those when Manny is in the lineup. It's complete hogwash that a major league hitter needs protection. If anything it's the guy providing the "protection" who benefits since he has better hitters in front of him getting on base more often and hence more RBI opportunities (ahem, any one hitting after Bonds...i'm looking at you Rich Aurilia and Jeff Kent). The Red Sox lineup is still one of the elite in the game and its staff is downright deep and solid 1-5. I LOVED Manny and I still do, but geez, it's over. You guys sound like a guy who got dumped and refuses to move on. He hates Boston and the fans, it's over. Oh yeah, and we don't need him.

All you people are little spoiled brats. He was one of the all time best Red Sox and one of the all time best players period. Reading these comments it seems like you all have forgotten that. Bringing him back would improve us ridiculously with the pitching depth we have. Is it a good idea? not sure. But all of you need to stop drinking the Red Sox PR kool-aid and bashing Manny. I bet you'd boo him if he were to return to the park, you ungrateful F###S!

Well, I laughed at this article. I think that was Charlie's point, eh?

Calm down people.

I believe that Manny is a superb ball player when he is emotionally healthy and resistant and angry when he is not. I'd sign him on again, we all love him, even if just a little bit, but include in contract demands for psychological evaluations and therapy weekly. We don't neeed to know about it, just Theo and Manny.

I am not sure where i stand on this whole idea of bringing Manny back, but i can tell you this, i am not going to try to make a point by WRITING IN ALL CAPS(oh well i guess that was a lie). but seriously people say things like how do you deal with a player when he has the attitude of a 12yr old, a general disrespect for the fans or the game or everything. the truth is most people who are that good at any one thing are usually very excentric, might i use the Splendid Splinter for an example. would any of you out there complain if we were talking about a man who never tipped his cap to the fans, Ted Williams.

I can see most of the Theo sheep and kool aide drinkers can't see the Grand Canyon size whole in our line up. Hell, since 2004 we've needed a big bat. We got lucky in the playoffs with Papi and Manny being red hot.

It's no talent hack moron columnists like Chucky Pierce that make me embarassed to be a Sox fan....well, Pierce and all of you pink hat wearing, bandwagon, dont know a right fielder before Trot Nixon ,yahoo "I love Nomahhh!", "Seriously, The Depaahhted was awesome", "I own the collectors edition of Fever Pitch DVD", WEEI listening, I grew up on Jim Rice even though I'm only 22 years old Red Sox fans...

I agree wholeheartedly. If it's about winning, there's no player even close to Manny. Two reasons why his future behavior may be better: he realizes he's near the end of his career and is now writing his HOF resume; and, he may be humbled -if not humiliated- by how the Baseball market views him so that Boston may seem a whole lot homier to him.
His return would also free up an outfielder to use as trade bait for a strong catcher.
I fully realize this is unlikely; but, it sure would cure the sting of losing Teixeira.
Bring Manny back!!!

I'd rather lose.

Manny is a BUM! I would never want that Quitter on my team and I don't care if he hits 100 HR's this year. He stands there against Mariano and keeps the bat on his shoulder for three straight strikes, trying to send a message to The Red Sox brass that he wants out. The hell with that bum! Time to move on.Let some other team take the bum and see the cancer that he is.

Only the pink hats want Manny back. Real baseball fans do not want Manny back. The baseball owners are wising up. They will avoid Boras clients in the future. And college players turning pro should avoid Boras also if they want to be drated. Just because an agent holds out for the Highest Bidder does not make him a great agent. Even a cave man could do that. Money Ramirez or Moron Ramirez will end up in NY for 1 or 2 years. He has enough money to live off of the interest for the rest of his life.

Well Manny's production will never be replaced by any hitter that is on our team. Why not bring him back with a incentive filled contract to motivate him to behave, lets face it, this is just like back in 05 when fans were against Manny during trade deadline only to give him a standing ovation when he was not traded. I can say as oon as the first hit, HR and RBI comes in, fans will be quick to re-embrace Manny

Well Manny's production will never be replaced by any hitter that is on our team. Why not bring him back with a incentive filled contract to motivate him to behave, lets face it, this is just like back in 05 when fans were against Manny during trade deadline only to give him a standing ovation when he was not traded. I can say as oon as the first hit, HR and RBI comes in, fans will be quick to re-embrace Manny

Ridiculous. Manny is gone...get over it. This is a strong TEAM. I'm sure if Papi isn't hitting as well as he has in the past, the Sox will make a move. Everytime I thought the sox were making a bad move it turned out I was wrong (J Damon, Pedro, Nomar etc.)

Only pink hats want Manny back. Real baseball fans do not. We know better. Team owners are wising up and are avoiding Boras clients. College players turning pro would also be wise to avoid Boras if they want to be drafted. Want makes Boras so great anyway. Just because he holds out for the highest bidder. A caveman could do that. Money Ramirez or Moron Ramirez will end up in NY for 1 or 2 years. He has enough money to live off of the interest for the rest of his life. Plus he is an Ahole.

Poor Manny! Ya right. That he isn't. It looks like Texiera mowed his lawn pretty good for the market for sluggers. The Red Sox are one of the few teams he would fit and he already burned his bridges here. Let him stay out in LA. They seem to like him out there.

All you haters remember one thing... You witnessed the second greatest hitter ever seen in a Red Sox uniform.

I guess nobody remembers that several of the Red Sox players went to the front office and said Manny has to go. Manny won't fit with the Sox because the players don't want him there.

Awesome piece all together. Awesome idea. Emmanuel Ramirez, we're sorry. If you can keep Boras on a leash-- so to speak-- we would gladly welcome you back into our ball park. Jason Bay/J.D. Drew/Kevin Youkilis will never = Manny Ramirez, Plain and simple. Print this article in the globe, the idea needs to be spread. I'm sure I am not the only one out there agreeing with it. You can have pride in your organization for the way it acted last year, but it isn't like the guy murdered someone. At a point you just have to put your tail between your legs and come to grips with the 2nd greatest hitter ever to grace the Fenway outfield. Hombre up.

Are you serious no one was a bigger fan of Manny than I was but the guy QUITon us last year, Charlie Pierce you should be fired for even bringing the subject up,lol.
Just kidding Charles.

I'm glad Tek and Manny aren't signed. Both are greedy ingrates and both are Boras clients. What a surprise. Tek gets a $10 mill arbitration offer and refuses? At his age and after the awful season he had? Unbelievably greedy and stupid. This from the team captain. Way to set an example. Don't wanna waste time proving yourself still capable of being a top-tier major league catcher and deserving of those big bucks in a multi-year deal next year. Don't wanna waste time redeeming yourself. OK then, Tek, hope the only offer you get is in Japan, you ingrate.
Speaking of Japan, that's the perfect place for someone of Manny's stature. Let them see for themselves the phenomenon of Manny being Manny. He'd be a dreadlocked Godzilla there. Better there than picking up a major-league paycheck for playing only when he felt like it. It's actually incredible (and incredibly naive) that anybody could conceive of the possibility of Manny returning to the Red Sox. I also hope that the prolonged free agency these guys are enjoying is shared by all Boras clients in the future.

Only pink hats want Manny back. Real baseball fans do not. We know better. Team owners are wising up and are avoiding Boras clients. College players turning pro would also be wise to avoid Boras if they want to be drafted. Want makes Boras so great anyway. Just because he holds out for the highest bidder. A caveman could do that. Money Ramirez or Moron Ramirez will end up in NY for 1 or 2 years. He has enough money to live off of the interest for the rest of his life. Plus he is an Ahole.

Grat Article. My sentiments exactly.

Quote from BL: "I read Pierce's article last week advocating for the celtics to try to sign Stephon Marbury and this weeks's article about the Red Sox trying to sign Manny. I can't wait for next weeks article about how the Patriots should try to sign Terrel Owens or how the Bruins should go after Steve Avery"

Hey BL, you really think Steve Avery has a place on the Bruins' roster? Didn't he retire like, eight years ago?

Manny had no contract yesterday, does not have one today, and hopefully not tomorrow!! What PAYBACK for him and his buddy BorASS. Nothing would make me happier, especially the way things are with the economy today with innocent, hard working people being laid off, than to have some of these foolish, greedy ballplayers and their agents feel even just a little angst that the average person feels.

Only pink hats want Manny back. Real baseball fans do not. We know better. Team owners are wising up and are avoiding Boras clients. College players turning pro would also be wise to avoid Boras if they want to be drafted. Want makes Boras so great anyway. Just because he holds out for the highest bidder. A caveman could do that. Money Ramirez or Moron Ramirez will end up in NY for 1 or 2 years. He has enough money to live off of the interest for the rest of his life. Plus he is an Ahole.

You are absolutely right! Manny is great he protects the other hitters. But, we know management can't do it. THAT IS SOOOO BAD!

You're obviously high! Check into rehab, pull your foot out of your mouth and try to come up with something half way meaningful for fans to read. You embarrass yourself. I should pull out one of my eyes for wasting my time reading your waste of time!

Clearly, all the English teachers in town have failed miserably: satire as a genre is clearly not understood by Globe readers. #354 don't quit your day job: "You couldnt find anything type about today huh? I wish I could be payed to wright about garbage! The globe is slipping, halve of the writers are terrible." Uh, with that English you won't get paid to write this or any other garbage. It's a blog, people. His job is to generate a response. He succeeded. End of story. Do you take everything this literally? No wonder we're in trouble as a country...

Oh yeah that makes sense, a hundred mil for the next few years and everyday you won't know if he plays or quits on you, perfect sense! The only people who would be happy on the Sox would be Ortiz and Lugo as well as all the ingrates on this post. Manny is a like a bad girlfriend, yeah the loving was good but everything else wasn't worth the trouble!

For everyone who is saying no I ask you who is going to protect Ortiz in the lineup? I know he burned bridges but bridges are rebuilt. Have a sit down with him and find out if their is a way. There's no way he wants to play for the Giants as they are going nowhere. Sign him to a 1 year plus an option and see what happens.

More than a no... HELL NO!!

Very provocative article that has generated 394 comments so far! Hate the idea, of course, but have to give Pierce credit for slapping this together and creating so much well needed "heat" in January!!

the article was supposed to be tongue in cheek.
everyone calm down.

Honestly, if Charles P. Pierce wasn't laughin when he wrote this article, then he's a complete idiot! As great a player as Manny is, he is now in A-Rod's category; a guaranteed future Hall of Famer who's a cancer to any team he goes to. As much as I loved him when he wore that red B with all his "Manny Being Manny" antics, he quit on the Red Sox. As a Dominican myself, I'm hoping he declines to play for us in the World Baseball Classic, we already have enough distractions with that dumb ass at third!

Speaking of watching high mass in the monkey house, how many baseball exegetes could you fit in there or on a pinhead to assure the terminally inchoate rambling that would eventually spit out, amidst grunts and Hosannahs, such a proposition uniquely askew from all of 360 degrees of a circular view as Mr. Pierce's?
My take: since this is a time when we all are being told to take stock of where we are on the socioeconomic plane of who needs what, and what a more just society looks like- even from baseball fans - it is time for Tek, Manny and their agent, the Prince of Darkness Boras, to join in. We need apologists for high-end EBay salesmen about as much as we need another reality show featuring Donald Trump

I'm sure Francona would welcome him back with open arms.

I guess I now understand why you work for the magazine and not the newspaper. Normally I like your POC much more than Bob Ryan, but this article is just too much. Even if you are being sarcastic, what's the point? Do ya miss writing about manny's luxury apartment in your magazine?

Is Adam Dunn an option. He's listed as a free agent.

Senior sports columnist? Nah! None of the above. Retire please and let someone else take your place.

As soon as Jason Bay came to the Red Sox I forgot all about Manny.

Are you out of your flippin mind?

Charlie, I have to say you have some balls in advocating that Manny return. You're putting your reputation on the line with this kind of absurdity, just like Mazz is with his insistent desire to see that mercenary catcher back with the Sox.

The Sox will do just fine without those two.

I have to switch to the Herald! Awful!

Wow perhaps you didnt cover the stories of Manny being Manny and the crybaby he was, and still is. When you pay somebody millions of dollars tha]ey should PLAy, and you my friend, should move to NY and cover the Yankees. Take Mazz along with you. It shouldn't take long for either of you to become SOX haters, if you arent already. Perhaps you just write this to get a reaction? Well, this is mine. Farewell, I will never waste my time reading your column or commenting on your stories again.

Mannay always was and always will be a head-case wrapped up in the best righ-handed hitter of all time.

Sign him for a year. Winning heals all wounds.
Let's remember, after his tantrums, whether two days or two weeks, he's pheomenal. We lived with him for 7 years.

I love RBI machines who can hit ANYBODY (including Hamels). That means Manny. Bring him home!

And there were, of course, the usual rumors about “off-the-field problems.” It behooves us to mention here that the greatest off-the-field kerfuffle last season involved that aforementioned catcher, without whom the lava flowing down Brookline Avenue this summer will complicate traffic considerabely....
WHAT THE HELL IS HE TALKING ABOUT

Yes bring him back , BIG PAPI NEEDS HIM !!!!!!
You have to put your arm around Manny and show him some love thats all he need then he will play his ass off !!!!

its not going to happen 24 out of 25 red sox players last year voted him off the team. I dont think Manny and the rest of the team can just make up like that, and an unhappy manny leads to bad baseball. Now if we could get the work hard, happy, and serious Manny the Dodgers had over the last couple months of the season i would not be able to say no to the man. I dont believe he tried in a Red Sox Uniform for several years now and it would be hard to trust him again.

HELL NO !

Yes we wouldn't have celebrated in 2004 & 2007 without him.
But his antics and prima donna attitude are a better match for LA, maybe even NY.
I'd rather see them bring up a not yet ready Anderson, or sign an almost over the hill Abreu, Than have a rerun of Manny being a BUTThead. After his closing act in Boston, I had to agree with someone who I turn off the volume when he's
announcing, Tim McCarver. I think he said Deplorable, Despicable or Disgusting, whatever "D" it was, bringing Manny back would be DUMB

WHAT A BAG OF WIND THIS PIERCE IS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Clearly a lot of passion on this one and for good reason. That anyone has the cajones to suggest this is...surprising. Personally I think what Manny did last year (being kind here) was unconscionable. But if the players were consulted and agree, and Manny demonstrates a desire and remorse, I can forgive.

I've read all the comments about Tex. Any player that can't make up his mind and defers to his utterly plain wife, will totally wilt under the NY press pressure; the both of them. If he gets off to a bad start, the posters will kill him.

The Yanks have to get off to a great start else the in-team backbiting might kill them before they ever jell as a team. I can just see A-Rod and Tex getting into it about their domestic differences before July.

An error by A-Rod or a bad throw to Tex. Tex bobbling a ball. It will all add up.

Tex hasn't even seen the rivalry with the AL East. A-Rod has wilted under it. There's no reason why Tex won't also.

Tex might hit 30 HRs, but the majority of them will be against terrible pitchers in blowout games. Big Deal.

A-Rod is a year older and a step slower. Why should he hustle and lose more cartilege in his knees and end up like Mantle. Posada is no more than an overpriced DH. The Yanks are going to give lots of singles up the middle. They've got, what 6 outfielders for 3 positions. That should make everyone happy.

The Yanks are already beaten before they have even started the season.

TB had a great season, congrats. They'll not repeat it.

Bally.

This guy doesnt even believe what hes writing... just looking for a reaction from us fans. "ooohhh look at me!!!! I'm so controversial!!!!" Please, we deserve better credit than this "joke's on you" type of writing.

would love to see him back in a sox uniform... don't mind pierce writing this as its something thats been on my mind as a "wouldnt that be nice" kind of scenario for a while. i mean, come on... admit the fact that at least for the next 1-3 years, he makes us better. now that the market has disintegrated for manny, this is the time for the red sox to re-engage and get him back for probably the same amount we would have spent if we exercised the team option for him.

im not saying i like the guy... hes the ultimate love-him-when-hes-tearing-the-league-apart kind of player, but ive never met him either. if theo&co feel like its something they can pull off and work, i'm for it.

Are you cracked?
The team voted him off the island.
He has repeatedly stated how much he hates Boston and Boston fans.
He wants to play for the Yankees so he can beat up on the Red Sox.

How can the Sox ownership, the Sox management, his Sox teammates and the Sox fans trust him after the antics he pulled last year. Flopping in left field. Not even swinging at a Mariano pitch during a crucial at bat. Claiming non-existent injuries.

Is he one of the greatest hitters ever? Yes.
Do I miss watching his talent? Yes.
Do I want him back. No way.

manny is the devil

HELL NO !

Yes we wouldn't have celebrated in 2004 & 2007 without him.
But his antics and prima donna attitude are a better match for LA, maybe even NY.
I'd rather see them bring up a not yet ready Anderson, or sign an almost over the hill Abreu, Than have a rerun of Manny being a BUTThead. After his closing act in Boston, I had to agree with someone who I turn off the volume when he's
announcing, Tim McCarver. I think he said Deplorable, Despicable or Disgusting, whatever "D" it was, bringing Manny back would be DUMB

You certainly struck a chord Mr. Pierce - It appears that a lot of readers did not realize you were obviously kidding.

Charlie,
With all due respect (and none actually intended), you've gone completely out of your mind. This has got to be the dumbest trolling job masquerading as an op/ed piece in a mainstream paper. Thanks for the laugh.

The premise of this piece is ridiculous. Manny can't back. Unfortunate as it may be, he can never play for the Red Sox again. I think even his weak little mind understands this.

LAVA??? Inquiring minds NEED TO KNOW what you're talking about!

I think the red sox should bring him[manny ramirez] back with character and perfomance claus on mannys contract..

Manny was the reason we were feared. Now we're looking at a 3rd place finish. No Manny, no playoffs. Simple as that. Stop the smear campaign and bring back the best Red Sox hitter of the last 25 years. I want another World Series!

It's moot. The Red Sox will not sign another Scott Boras client until at least 2010.

What we got here is failure to communicate. Manny's not coming back thru that door - and, that's OK ... cuz, we don't want him back here causing trouble for the Sox.

Embrace the player we have ... Jason's gonna do just fine.

Manny should just go home, retire ... and wonder -- What If.

It's pretty obvious no body really wants him at his current asking price. ( when you get greedy you always get burned ..... )

Manny ... the gift that keeps on giving ............... ( remember )

Go Manny...

Bring back Manny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Manny! Manny!

ok, really...has no one who posted a comment so far on this article ever taken a class in writing (or the English language) in which irony or satire is discussed? like, even on a junior high level? anyone seen an episode of the simpsons? south park? saturday night live? anyone?

if you can't read this article and not hear the satire/sarcasm dripping from every word, then you don't deserve to post comments on it (although it's also fun to take a few shots at the red sox management along the way - nice job, pierce!).

even so, it's really hard to imagine the sox winning in 2004 or 2007 without manny. AND, do you really think that tampa bay and the immortal matt garza would have made such quick work of a lineup with manny in the middle? i'm just sayin' - don't sign the guy, if you don't like his baseball character, but don't pretend like he wasn't the biggest fastball-mashing godzilla you've ever seen in your life. his moonshots over the coke bottle were things of beauty.

and no, that's not irony or satire - that's straight up... let's drop the revisionist history and appreciate manny for what he is/was.

here here Mr. CP Pierce, I second your sentiment and ask why ?-I say why are you wasting your time in the journalistic jungle? You should be governor or senator or some other public type servant that doesn't have a clue.

if this article is a joke//sarcastic, pierce, you should be ashamed. everyone knows Manny Ramirez is one of the best players ever and that Theo shouldn't have let him go... I was very disappointed to see such a fun and lively character, player, and teammate of all of my favorite Red Sox players go. And to all of you dissing Jason Varitek stop so his offensive production was low but think about his role on the team; he is the leader, the captain, he helps the pitcher of the game make it through... so i say sign TEK AND MANNY

He doesn't like Boston. AND, he really doesn't like us. However, the people to ask are the team and the management. However, who knows how quickly the big baby act might return?

I began having this conversation the moment Texiera's wife chose NY. Are you gonna tell me Manny at 60 mil doesn't match Texiera's productivity for the next 3 years? I'll take one of the 10 greatest offensive forces in the history of MLB of Jason Bay's integrity.

The catch of course is Manny most likely has zero interest in returning to Boston and the FO is most likely way to proud (and done dealing w/Boras) to pursue Manny. But if the question is simply, "does adding the most feared hitter in MLB give the Red Sox a better chance of winning?" Well, I think even all of you screaming "hell no" and claiming that Pierce "must be high" no the answer to that question.

MANNY AND PAPI RIDE AGAIN!!

Someone called Manny a "cancer". Teams Manny has played on have appeared in 4 world series, winning 2, and been to a handful of LCS. When he played in Cleveland they set the record for consecutive sellouts, when he played in Fenway that record was broken. Last year in LA he was the exact opposite of a "Cancer". He revitalized a team and a fanbase. Despite the 24 out of 25 vote by the players last year, by almost all accounts Manny is a great teammate and practices his craft tirelessly.

Manny act last year was embarressing and there is no way either side wants to revisit that relationship but Manny's career speaks for itself. He is a winner whereever he goes and while some will undoubtably dislike him b/c of his unconventional style, most fans embrace him for his uniqueness and appreciate being witness to a baseball immortal.

What if the Yankees sign him !!!
What happens then ?
Oh no not another curse !

Hey, who's perfect?

The guy is first ballot Hall of Fame. No question. He's not Clemens, he didn't cheat his way to greatness. He should be punished for what happen with the 65 year old guy. But noone files charges so there's no crime. And, as bad as it may seem, put it in perspective: I'm the only one to call in sick for work and spend the day at the beach? I mean sure say "But I don't make $20 mil a year". It's true but sometimes your mind is not in the right place to be there. as selfish as it sounds.

So forgive the guy who's clearly a bit of an airhead. Does anyone really think he tried so little that it made any difference? 17 Home Runs in the NL for someone the pitchers haven't seen is the same as 7 in the AL.
He's no cancer to a clubhouse but he certainly won't get the "C" on his chest for any team...
At the right price, for a guy who'll hit .300 (+) 30 HR(+) and get on base as much as anyone, the only thing I can think of is "Where and when should they play him?"

they will not do it !
The management will not do it!
the People of Boston cant and will never forgive him!

it would be great having hin in a lineup with the pitchers we have now too

i want anotehr W.S. and we need another BIG BAT ;or Ortiz willnot have anything to hit

Are you smoking crack?

Give him 38 Million for the 09 season. If he appears in more than 3 games it will be a better investment than 08 father Curt.

All in all Manny is a GOOD player. not a great one. his attitude is not a winning one it is a selfish one. All he did was cause outside distractions for the team last year and i think the red sox do not need that again this year.

Were you even around for what happened last year? he's gone, the Manny era is over for good, thank God. No offense but this article is ridiculous

Thanks for the great times Manny! Sorry to see it end on a down note - would love to have you back....but alas, it doesn't seem possible. Sign with LA and stay away from the AL East......if the Yankees sign you, they become THE dominant favorite.

Theo would grow dreadlocks of his own before bringing that circus back to Fenway. Are we really THIS bored without Pats playoff ga

Theo would grow dreadlocks of his own before bringing that circus back to Fenway. Are we really THIS bored without Pats playoff games that we're talking about bringing that heartless sack of s**t back to the Sox.

VOTE FOR MANNY!!!

Wow! 491 comments! Counting mine of course! haha I knew this column would get all the Theo lovers panties in a bunch! haha Seriously though, you've got to check out the so called "discussion" forum on this site Charlie. God help you if you breath the phrases : "Bring back Manny", "Trade Bucholtz" or "The Sox need more offense". You would think baseball fans in this town would be more critical of their teams front office. Not here, not on this site! These fans (and they are evil, mean people) will try to destroy you if you bad mouth their boy (Theo Epstein) and God help you if you even think that the team should be spending or doing more to make this club better! I am just a concerned fan, I love the Sox, with all my heart! That's why I cannot stand the chat board police on this page!

Forget Manny. Why can't the Boston Sports writers write a story about how Jason Bay is going to have a terrific season this year. I don't think we are doing a good job at making this guy feel welcomed if we keep harping on the fact that we have a hole in the line-up, or that we need to bring Manny back. Such talk reflects on Bay and puts un-do pressure on him to prove himself. Let's give him our confidence!! Here we have not only a good hitter, but one helluva guy. Mark my words, Bay is going to have an awesome year and fill the "hole" nicely in our line-up. I believe this guy will hit better than Manny or Tex this year.

Umm, this is the Dumbest Idea of the Year!!!

Ortiz doesn't need Manny's support, he has a scary backup of Youk, Lowell, Drew, and JASON BAY!!! I would rather have those four than Manny alone. Manny has about a 0.0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001% chance of returning

Manny come home!

I say sign him for a year or maybe two because we can really use him in the line up especially with how the AL east is going to be so competitive this year and we need a slugger in the line up to protect Ortiz. Manny would play his ass off in hopes of fixing what happened here in Boston so that he can go on to bigger and better contracts in the future. No one wants him cuz of how he acted in Boston and i know he must realize that and this could be a win win for everyone involved. Offer him something similar to what they did in LA and let him go out and redeem himself.

Manny!

WHAT???? Lava flowing down brookline ave because of varitek.... What the hell is this nimrod pud reporter (Charles "the Incompetent TOOL Peirce") talking about??? No wonder they cancelled your show on nesn, You are a complete MORON.!!!!!!!!! And what the heck does "KERFUFFLE" mean??? Probably a word back in the 20's when people, including your parent's, didn't realize what a joke you are!!!! Bring manny back,, c'mon,,,, smoke some more lettuce you fossilized joke of a columnist..!!!! Sincerely, Peter A G.

Bring him back and pay him minimum wage and not a cent more.

Cancer has a better average

It's hard to believe that anyone who's either played, written or watched sports for any amount of time could believe that Manny belongs on this team. After he was dumped, the Sox arguably played their best baseball of the season. What we read in the papers and saw on the field was undoubtedly just the tip of the iceberg of Manny's misdeeds in the clubhouse and elsewhere. It only goes to show how professional the remaining players are that they haven't revealed just what a cancer Manny was and would be in the clubhouse. Curt Schilling was very restrained in his comments about Manny as a teammate and still got vilified for voicing his opinion.
I doubt the team would have been able to get Youk & Pedroia to sign had they kept the man child in town. They are the future of the Sox not a selfish, aging, one-dimensional moron.

I don't know what is wrong what half you people. Yes we all know Manny has a terrible attitude, does not hustle, and beats up old people. Think back to the times before all that think back when Manny was being Manny. He is a wonderful player, hall of famer, and a good teammate even though he quit on the team. Here a little fact that u all should know Manny is amazing in the playoffs that the reason why we won two championships look what happen this year without him we did terrible hitting wise, we counted on pitching to get the job done which is not the way to win. I remember all the laughs and great homeruns Manny gave us so i say let bygones be bygones.

Let's fact it - the Red Sox need Manny. Bring Manny back!!!

NEVER again... it is obvious nobody wants him,,, not eve the dodgers.

Charles P. Pierce obviously dosen't respect athletic competiton. He sounds as if he played baseball it would be all about the money and nothing about the team winning games. Charles I guess you teach you children to focus on themselves and to hell with the team. I promise I will not read any Pierce articles again. Boston Globe Magazine needs writers that write excellent journals and not suffering from a need to draw attention to themselves. I can't remember if I talking about Manny or Pierce. They sound the same. Anyone wanting Manny back could not possibly have any pride or respect for the game of baseball.

Instead of ask "why can't we just bring Manny back" to fill the Manny-sized hole in the line-up, I think we should be asking why every other team in baseball is taking a pass on him. Nuff Said.

In a minute. Bring Back Manny!

Yes. M-A-N-N-Y!

Everyone else is such a bloody bore.

$20 million and you tank it. I cannot believe what people sink to. He would go back to doing what he was doing last year. Bay, Badelli, Drew and Ellsbury will do fine. Bring Manny back is going backwards. What's the Manny aren't the big bucks coming in. Boras wanted him bic cut , you wanted the big bucks. Forget you and Boras, And if Varitek wants a good , fair contract--- FIRE BORAS. Money grabbing, arrogant bunch of idiots

........yeah, and bring back George Dubya as President. too!!!! Congratulations on increasing your average hits per page by inciting such a reaction.

This is the stupidest article in the history of Boston media. Worse then Tomase's Spygate hype.

Manny faked an injury to get out of a contract. Manny lied about an injury. Manny stole money from the Red Sox by faking an injury. He stole from the fans by doing so. Manny slapped every fan in the face with his behavior.

I think it's the lowest behavior I've ever seen in the sports world (minus wife beating and murder etc). This areticle was dub.

yeah lets make a trade, Manny comes back to Boston If Pierce stops writing CRAP like THIS ridiculous article.. what a waste of space.

deal Bay for Hanley Ramirez pick up Manny and put him in left.

I love it. He's still the best hitter in the game and we could use him! There is no fear int he Sox lineup as it is now... Manny bring a fear factor that no other hitter brings to the table. Water under the Tobin Bridge, Bring back Manny?

If ever there was a worse idea for a column - I'd like to hear it. Desperate for content are we?

yeah, let's bring him back ONLY if he accepts $400,000 base salary + incentives and being mainly back up OF role! But JD can get injured anytime, so then try move Jason Bay to RF and Manny can chill in front of green monster again. And if he gets lazy again, we'll throw peanuts to him. lol

Manny is good until Manny doesn't want to be good. The Sox are so much better off without him. I can't believe someone would seriously consider doing that to Boston.

I have been waiting for this idea to surface . . . I think the other guys on the team would revolt. Why would he want to come back? Where would he play? He'd want too much money. Francona would have a heart attack . . . sorry Charlie it's not happening.

Manny only cares about Manny, why would anyone on the Red Sox want to see him back in town after the way he left? Why take a player back, who in his nochalance and lack of respect, treats left field like his own personal circus? Why take a player back who runs out ground balls whenever he feels like it, or once in a blue moon or a contract year? Why take a player back, that was kept around all these years due to his highly developed skill at hitting a baseball which is diminishing?. No thanks! I don't ever want to see Manny in a Red Sox uniform again, not even in Cooperstown. Any player who would quit on his team does not deserve to put on the REd Sox uniform.

I get it---this column was an IQ test! A pretty good one too: read the pro-Manny comments, which appear to have a total vocabulary of about 12 words and to have been written by Special Needs Yankee fans, Izzy Alcantara or the permanently bewildered, and the anti-Manny comments, which show a thorough understanding of ethics, group dynamics, sportsmanship, logic, history, irony, statistics, and common sense. Good work, Charles! Piaget could hardly have done better!

we do not like him send him down to the south where the prison stripes are.
manny whinner to much like a girl.

You will never win the world series without Manny

If both Sides Agree, bring him Back . Manny just might play his ass off and if we keep winning with Manny, who CARES.

Talent displayed nearly on the level of Dan Shaughnassy. Bob Ryan can still write and has an opinion or two to read, but if the Globe and the NY Times are loosing money, why not get rid of the deadweight? Mazz is OK, Benjamin is rockin' me. Get rid of the entitled hacks that waste space. Or at least try and buy back Edes with the salaries these two bozos are making!
I will always love Manny for those 7 years but just like an ex-wife, you don't hop back in the sack after she tries to kill you out of spite!

Must be a slow sports media day in Boston.

lets just bring the despicable quitter back and then we can be the f-ing yankees. We can be the scum bags and have a scum bag playing for us. that would be great. lets sign Barry Bonds, and Clemens. Lets get Ben Johnson. lets get Pete rose. Lets sign all the despicable human beings we can find.

Charlie, I've said it before and I'll say it again. You're way too smart to be writing for this crowd.

Yaz during his 24 seasons in a Red Sox uniform was never on the DL. Loved Manny during his tenure with the Sox. I would love to know the whole story of what happened between Manny and the Sox last season.After the 07 season Manny said he wanted to finish his career in Boston.When this trouble started last season Manny said the Sox lied to him.He showed up at camp in terrific shape as was reported in the globe.He had a hot start,his 1st in many seasons.I think he felt or possibly was told by management that they would give him a new deal.When they didn't he started his shananigans.Does anyone know the whole story

You can't be serious. Maybe we should have gone after Jason Giambi or coaxed Mark McGwire out of retirement. I love to see the Red Sox win but not with players who don't give a hoot about the team and continually make fools of themselves. You neglected to mention the time Manny just walked back to the dugout from the batter's box after hitting a routine ground ball. This is the guy you want on your team?

I got the perfect solution. Can Manny play catcher?

Wow. What an incredible waste of words. Why don't we write about how the moon is really made of cheese? Anybody who thinks this will happen or should happen knows very little about team sports and nothing about the front office of the Red Sox.

Offer Manny a one year contract.

He returns, plays hard all year, and is able to repair his reputation and then cashes in next year in the free-agent market.

The Sox get his bat back and allow Lars to spend one final year in the minors.

This is a real no-brainer.

This is too funny! I've just spent an hour of my life reading and snickering at all these posts, and yet here I am, typing away, adding to the clamor. As President Obama said in his inauguration address, it is time to put aside childish things. As far as I can tell, the Red Sox are ahead of the curve in that regard--they wisely put Manny aside last season, and they're not about to welcome him back. Let Jason Bay and Youk take over; they did a fine job last year. It's fun to watch the Sox no matter what happens in October--they've got heart and soul, from Francona to the rotation to the batpeople and grounds crew. Win or lose, they're my team and I'm proud of them.

What Drug are you on ?????????????

This was simply the dumbest story I have ever read. How can the Globe run nonsense like this? I continue to lose respect for what was once a great newspaper.

Bring Back Manny Immediately!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No way, Do not Bring him back.
He quit on the Sox more than once, he was trying to show how valuable he was.
Really he showed how dependable he is. Every team in baseball knows he quit, that is why no team has signed him. He will not get a long term contract, he may get one year or two for 15 or 20 mil.

Forget Manny. Why can't the Boston Sports writers write a story about how Jason Bay is going to have a terrific season this year. I don't think we are doing a good job at making this guy feel welcomed if we keep harping on the fact that we have a hole in the line-up, or that we need to bring Manny back. Such talk reflects on Bay and puts un-do pressure on him to prove himself. Let's give him our confidence!! Here we have not only a good hitter, but one helluva guy. Mark my words, Bay is going to have an awesome year and fill the "hole" nicely in our line-up. I believe this guy will hit better than Manny or Tex this year.

Manny your my freakin hero man!!! Come back to Boston! I like this Pierce guy, he seems smart.

It took me longer to get to the comments section than to skip this article after reading two paragraphs!
You're pulling my leg!
MANNY meet BARRY, say hello to SAMMY, fist pump MARK and keep PETE ROSE in your prayers (What, Scotty doesnt believe in prayers? Someone tell Varitek, Quick!)
Manny being Manny is a steaming lump of doo-doo. Manny, can you play Manny---far away?

Yes We Can! You Boston Moralists can be sooooo annoying. Pierce..I love you. I've loved your writing forever. Manny is capable of apologies and amends and yes even humility. We've seen it. He can get the ass like eeveryone. He's a great player and he gave Boston his best for many years. Boston can forgive and Msnny can apologize. This would be the greatest sob-story comeback in baseball. Come on, you moralising New Englanders. Where's your heart?

He is a true Hall Of Fame hitter. Bring him back with pay based on bonuses that include being 'well-behaved' and have that money go to him in pieces thoughout the season. If he does well - on all issues - he gets paid well. If he acts up again, retain the right to let him go at management's discretion. Not sure if the MLB Players Association allows that kind of deal but Manny showed the Red Sox he will refuse to perform if he decides that is what he wants to do. But his upside with a bat in his hands makes Papi and Manny like the Babe and the Iron Horse...Legendary!

The Yankees are attempting to buy a championship right now... if nothing else over the past few years we have seen our Patriots, Sox and Celtics perform to thier highest level because they were unselfish in their quest. It's more about team chemistry then anything else, you need to play as a cohesive unit, pick each other up. In the middle of a pennant race Manny quit on his teamates for more money!
It would be morally unacceptable to hire Manny back... I think Sox management enjoy seeing that Manny is still looking for gullable team to breakup.
We have an excellent team with the players we have...PLAY BALL!

The fact of the matter is the Red Sox were never more successful than they were with Manny. Maybe Manny wasn't happy because fans like in this blog were riding him all day long. The truth of the matter is Manny wouldn't even want to come back to Boston. The team and the fans blew it. Nothing like running the greatest hitter since The Splendid Splinter out of town! Classic Boston!

Pierce, are you out of your freaking mind? Haven't you been paying attention these past 8 years? Are you some sort of pot-smoking airhead with no grasp on the concept of team chemistry? Can't you see an unethical, self-centered creep when he is standing right in front of you?

Let me put it this way: you can put both Manny and Roger Clemens in a Saturn V rocket and launch both of them to Uranus, where they both belong. The Sox can find someone else to fill that hole you speak about. Manny is unsigned because the markeplace has determined that what he pulled last year was the act of a truly despicable man. Forgiveness? NO! He deliberately set out to tank this organization and flipped off the fanbase. He can go to hell....right along with your though process on this one!

No thanks for a Manny return we have endured enough of Manny being Manny. The Sox are better off without him. We are heading into a season with a much improved Division. Team has to be focused on and off the field. Thanks for the memories and take your act somewhere else. Funny thing if he conducted himself like a real professional he may have been making what he wanted in a Sox uniform. Hope he gets what's coming to him and nobody signs him.

I say bring him back, although it is a solid lineup, its hardly playoff worthy let alone world series worthy. Especially with the yankees stacked team and Ray's young guns ahead of them, I think it would be a miracle to finish higher then third this year without bolstering their lineup

I say bring him back, although it is a solid lineup, its hardly playoff worthy let alone world series worthy. Especially with the yankees stacked team and Ray's young guns ahead of them, I think it would be a miracle to finish higher then third this year without bolstering their lineup

I'm a Huge Manny/Red Sox Fan....and i'm not going to Lie, I hated the way Manny shipped his way out of Boston, a City that always loved him even through all his Manny been Manny Bullsh*t. But I also recognize that we need a Big Bat...

So I Have a Question for all my Redsox Nation Brothers & Sisters. What's More Important to Us, Our EGO? or Watching the Yankees Come Up Short on Another Tittle? (Specially after the offseason Spending). Watching the Yankees lose is always a Win For Us. I'm a Huge Believer that the Team we have now is Good enough to win it All...But With Manny Back in our Lineup the Yankees don't stand a chance. Off Course Manny would have to make a Public Apology to all of the Redsox Nation. but i'll gladly have him hitting 4th in our lineup (and Trade away JD Drew who unpurposely take's himself out of the lineup every year anyways).

No doubt in my mind that if Manny is brought back and he actually tries to play, the Sox are an improved team. Same would have been true last season if Manny had tried to play, But he didn't. So bring him back or not, I still intend to boo him at every chance. I was a big Manny fan but no more. Manny wasn't a cancer, he was a quitter. Booooo Manny!

very well written piece, but are you out of your effing mind?!

That is the dumbest thing i have ever heard, i think u have been drinking!!! How could u trust that @#$%^& when he quit in use before, what about the three straight pitches he took against the Yankees? u want more of the crap!! F%^&* MANNY!!

Bring him back. They need him hitting behind Ortiz. Give him the big money but make it all incentive based. I think that with the total lack of interest in him the Sox could have the leverage to pull that off. Sure Manny's a flake, but I blame management. They need to keep everyone happy, productive, and working together. Come on - would you let your best salesman walk? They gave up on him.

No thank you!

To heck with all of this. Bring back Manny on a $1 contract with $25MM in performance bonuses.

Amount Performance Amt/Perform
Games $5,000,000 162 $30,864 Min 6 innings or 3 AB
HR $5,000,000 40 $125,000
RBI $5,000,000 120 $41,667
Runs $5,000,000 100 $50,000
Avg $5,000,000 0.320
$4,000,000 .320 - .310
$3,000,000 .310 - .300
$2,000,000 .300 - .290
$1,000,000 .290 - .280
$0

Manny bashers...you're all a bunch of mental midgets, sore losers, and just plain hateful people. Bring back Manny! I am so all for that. You all embraced Randy Moss when he came to play for the Patriots. NO ONE had a worse reputation for being "a distraction" than he did. Hypocritical bunch of S.O.B.'s. MANNY, MANNY, MANNY!

Maggie1

Jason Bay? Who's Jason Bay?

Wiseguy

You're an idiot!

Never thought i'd say it,but lets sign him again-it's his crazy aura that gets only stronger in the playoffs. He's worth the risk and besides think of how great the movie would be-MAN RAM directed by Spike Lee starring Denzel Washington.

People are crazy for not wanting his bat back, he's one of the few hitters in the league that every team is afraid of because he can turn on any pitch and make it hurt. With him in the line up Ortiz gets protection so people are gonna pitch to him. Ortiz has no protection and the best 3-4 combo in baseball is no longer together. Ortiz's numbers are going to plummet, coincidence? I think not, have fun blaming it on his wrist or his knees or whatever. While they're a factor (which they are) people will be pitching around him too. Youk is not a clean up hitter and doesn't offer the protection that Manny does, a good number 2 or 5 -6 guy yeah. But Youk just had a career year where his numbers were similar to Tex's for one season. People need to realize that he isn't going to produce anywhere near Manny like numbers or even have the same season he had this year, hello Mike Lowell.. remember him? I say give Manny the money but like it has been said before me, make most of it incentive based. We are a better team with him and a worse team without him. People can't honestly say that we missed his bat in the playoffs last year. With him we could have won back to back World series. But hey, this is Boston for you... bunch of people who will blindly follow the Red Sox front office. But that's another story. I say bring back Manny!

Spoken like a true New Yorker. I'd rather lose than play the game with the likes of
this guy. Let's bring back Billy Martin, too. At least he'd stand up for his team mates!

speechless...........

would it make sense to sign a gifted hitter who can dominate on any given day just by trying.....sure....but you are talking about Manny, we all loved him and hated him at the same time because of what he is, a great hitter when he wants to be.

I will take my chances this year without Manny and be in a far better position both financially and morally even if we don't win it all.

Yes....we can do it without Manny.

Are u freakin crazy. Manny, thanks b/ no thanks. He's not to be trusted, a selfish child he is. Think about it sox paid to chase him out of Boston, he may be a great hitter b/ he's a cancer & once given a contract God help that team. He s/ have been made to retire after stunt in Boston & z millions owed to him s/ haVe went to charity not another ball club only to watch him show off & prove what a lier & cancer he is w/ "not happy"....yep good-by Manny.

No other team wants him in all of baseball so the team that tossed him out and lost 7 million dollars should take him back? Your "I want to take him back." battered sports fan syndrome is exclusive to you.

You might want to follow a few games Mr. Pierce before you sit down and write something this stupid. Better still, find a good S & M club.

I see that time may heal all wounds, but it never cures hypocrisy. All of the same Manny-haters sat in front of their TVs on Oct 27, 2004 with tears in their eyes, and touching the screen when Manny was shown holding the WS MVP award.........face it, Manny isn't the problem here, its Boras. Don't believe me? Look at Tex and Tek? whats the common factor? BORAS. wake up, people. the 17.5% of the Globe ownership is only going to report what they want you to hear. you have to be able to out the obvious stuff together on your own.

BRING MANNY BACK!! MY GAWD YOU DUMB SAWX MORALIZERS MAKE ME WANT TO PUKE. EVER HEAR OF FORGIVENESS? IF MANNY COULD APOLOGIZE AND MAKE THE AMENDS...IE PROMISE TO CHANGE HIS BEHAVIOR...COULD YOU NOT FIND IT IN YOUR HEARTS TO GIVE HIM ANOTHER CHANCE? DO YOU NOT THINK THAT ORTIZ AND VARITEK AND OTHERS COULD TAKE CARE OF HIM? HMMMMMM? AND WHAT A GREAT SPORTS STORY THAT WOULD MAKE. DON'T WE JUST LOVE EMOTIONAL COME BACKS? WHAT'S WITH YOU STINKING JUDGMENTAL MORONS?

You're a JACKASS and only wrote this garbage for emotional responses which you've accomplished. The Boston Red Sox would be the laughing stock of MLB if that happened. I would take Manny back only if you paid him Kevin Cash money. Where the hell were you in 2008, in a crack house? Idiot journalists

You're a JACKASS and only wrote this garbage for emotional responses which you've accomplished. The Boston Red Sox would be the laughing stock of MLB if that happened. I would take Manny back only if you paid him Kevin Cash money. Where the hell were you in 2008, in a crack house? Idiot journalists

Boy, am I sick of the Manny Cult saying that Ramirez won two Championships. So did Ortiz, Varitek, Timlin, Cora, Mirabelli and Wakefield. And about 35 other players had key roles in those championships. Would the Sox have won both championships without Schilling? Foulke? The Sox swept in 2004 and 2007---are these clowns really suggesting that the Sox would have LOST without Manny? Ridiculous. Give him his due for being a part of some good teams, but the Sox have had better teams before him, and will have better teams after him.

And I am truly nauseated at the suggestion that the media and management "ran Manny out of town." The guy tanked, refused to play, loafed, sulked, and assaulted an employee. If he wasn't such a star, he would have been fired, released, fined, suspended. The fans, media and management want to win...why would they run a great hitter out of town, unless his conduct crossed all lines of professionalism, sportsmanship, and team play? And it did. The Mannyphiles are truly deluded...heaven knows how they function in a real world of obligations, trust and consequences.

If you bring back a player who gave the finger to his teammates and to the management that dealt with him in good faith, what kind of example are you setting for the young baseball fans all over America. Let him sit out or take a lesser contract with some struggling team and then he and Boras can talk about Texeira over lunch.

There are good arguements for both sides. You have to look at the basic facts, he was a vital part in bringing Boston their first world championship in 86 years! He is a future first ballot hall of famer. He sometimes has a bad attitude, yes, but the man is nasty in the middle of that lineup, and you know that Papi misses him dearly. Bring him back and we win the world series once again, if we don't it's still possible, but will be much tougher. I don't think he will be back, but if he did come back, is it fair to the rest of his teamates? The fact that he needs to be babied? As a fan why should we care? All we should care about is winning and beating the damn Yankees!

Bring Back Manny.

then finally life will be interesting again

you know he wants to come back
just offer 1 year 20 mill
he will take it

where would he play?

If we needed another DH I'd say yes but we don't

What a stupid article, and even stupider comments from those who want to bring Manny back. It doesn't matter if the Sox can forget and move forward or want him back. I doubt BorASS would even allow his client to consider going back to the Sox, since I can't see the Sox offering $20M+, which is still less than what the Dodgers offered. I say, if the Sox are going to loose, I would rather see them loose as a team, with the young kids playing their butts off, rather than seeing them loose b/c of quitting on the team or causing team idea vanish due to one player's selfish attitude.

If I may, please recall the first time you saw Manny sprint down the 1st base line wearing #99. I said out loud, look at that son of a b- run, wow can he move...And at that moment, I decide this guy was a flat out bum. He owes Boston money. He stole money from the Sox and the fans. He did not go out perform to expectations. I have to everyday I put on my boots. If I dont, I suck.
This guy would second guess God. There is NO NEED to have him in the Hub' He is a cancer and a crook. Yeah he can play, When he wants...let Manny find his money under somebody elses sofa cushions'

When you grow up and buy your own ball club you can sign all the quitters and locker room cancers you want. There's a reason Manny's still available. Nobody trusts him to put in a 100% effort after he's banked the money. I'd rather the team go another 100 years without a championship than lower themselves to sign a puke like him.

That man is out of his mind. Manny doesn't want to be in Boston; he asked for a trade every year for the last 5 of his contract, and he quit on the team right when the playoff push was starting. He's a great hitter, but the Red Sox are much better off without him. Jason Bay is solid and he actually tries all the time. Let Manny be Manny somewhere else; then it's their soap opera. Thanks for the two titles, Manny, but see ya later; good riddance.

i can sum it all up by saying that by far is the stupidest most idiotic article i have ever read. You win the putz iler award for writing. There are so many people out of work you should be one of them for writing about a moron who will be forever remembered as a quitter. That article is replacing my new york yankee toilet paper.

well its not really a comment but how can we, the out of state members of redsox nation, get ot? is there a mail subscription?

POISON WITH A BAT IN HIS HAND!!

What would make anyone think that the Sox would even consider this? They had Manny locked in for the next two years at 20 mil per if they wanted him. They decided Manny was no longer a good fit here in Boston. They still do not want him, that has not changed. Sox are now poised with room in their budget and a farm system that is above average, to land a big bat when one may become available though trade. Matt Holiday could be available at mid season. There may be some others if the economic picture continues to decline and teams need to shed Payroll, and they are out of contention...Relax, Theo and company have a master plan. And for what it's worth, congrats to Charlie Pierce on this column. He takes the "Moron" out of Oxymoron.!!!!

Look lets be realistic Manny is not coming back and managment does not want him back. So take the crow meal off the table. Let him and Scott Boras go else where. The two of them deserve each other both are scum bags. If they sign him half the clubhouse will leave. We do not need Manny WAH WAH in Boston.

Look lets be realistic Manny is not coming back and managment does not want him back. So take the crow meal off the table. Let him and Scott Boras go else where. The two of them deserve each other both are scum bags. If they sign him half the clubhouse will leave. We do not need Manny WAH WAH in Boston.

Look lets be realistic Manny is not coming back and managment does not want him back. So take the crow meal off the table. Let him and Scott Boras go else where. The two of them deserve each other both are scum bags. If they sign him half the clubhouse will leave. We do not need Manny WAH WAH in Boston.

Look lets be realistic Manny is not coming back and managment does not want him back. So take the crow meal off the table. Let him and Scott Boras go else where. The two of them deserve each other both are scum bags. If they sign him half the clubhouse will leave. We do not need Manny WAH WAH in Boston.

Could not agree more. The match is strong. We dont need Manny for regular season...we need him for the post-season. He is unique and always has been. He hits good pitching and very few players do. I remember him hammering Pedro in the Playoffs in Pedro's prime.

This Clubhouse is strong enough to deal with Manny distraction.

Given the mixed reception on the open market...Manny likely would appreciate the Sox in a new way

This column was a joke right ?

I agree completely. We lost Game 7 only because we didn't have him.
Bring back Manny!

I always defended Manny to my friends whether they were Sox fans or not. However, after what i saw in the yankees series with him complaining about a non existent injury and then put in the game against rivera and not even take the bat off his shoulder...that was IT! Is he the greatest right handed hitter out there? YES. is he the most self absorbed player to walk on the diamond? Barring A-rod probably. However, he wasnt willing to do his job in an organization that pays him more money than most of the league when we needed him. He didnt seem happy in Boston so, WHY OH WHY would we ask him to come back.

I can see the newspapers now

THE MANNY PLAGUE RETURNS! THOUSANDS DEAD!!

I like the idea of a major incentive contract only if the other teammates agree that he could come back. Give him 1 year plus 3- 1 year options by the red sox starting at 2 million per year plus 5 million to make playoffs ,5 million for world series, and 5 million if you win the world series. Only if the teammates agree and he makes apology to Boston for what happened. Also if he has 1 incident he ends his career without pay.

Although I liked Manny in Dodger Blue , I think it would only be right that he retire a Red Sox. Of couse, it will never happen. But then again, last summer never should have happened, either. Manny was the heart of the Red Sox. It's sad that he's gone from there, and I think less of the team now that he is.

I still can't believe the people who insist they are the smartest fans in baseball (lol) think a guy with a .976 OPS his last month in town quit on the team.
You fools were played by the front office.
Manny's attitude didn't change last Summer. Yours did.

Now that they have drug testing for players, I think the next step is drug testing for columnisits and sports writers. This article is childish and stupid at best crack induced at worst.

frankly i'm disappointed in an ignorant fan base and front office full of too much indignation and short-sightedness to not realize that bringing manny back is the best baseball decision. someone here or elsewhere argued something like "i'd rather have jason bay's character playing left field...it's not worth having manny for 2 or 3 extra wins a year". that's bullcrap. first, isn't the idea to win? even 2 or 3 extra games? second, how many games did we lose the division by last year?

Agree 100%, I believe the Sox instead of trading him and giving into his demands should have put tighter restrictions on him and knocked him down a few levels. He is a threat in the line up like no other and we traded him off because of his behavior. Instead we should have thrown him into counseling or something like that to keep his ego in check...but when your hitting as great as him wouldn't you have an ego as well?

Charlie, love your writing! And I do believe this column was totally "tongue in cheek."

Mulcogi Seng

That doesn't sound like a good ole Irish name to me. Are you sure you're allowed to live in Boston? Who cares if you would boo Manny or not.

SINCE WHEN HAS SOMEONE BEEN PAYING YOU TO MAKE SUCKISH ARTICLES!!!!! JASON BAY IS TEN TIMES A BETTER PLAYER AND TEAMMATE TO PLAY WITH THIS IS BY FAR THE WORST ARTICLE IN BOSTON .COM I HAVE EVER SEEN. HAVE YOU BEEN DRINKING BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE IT SHOWS THE EFFECTS ON SOMEONE IF THEY DO!!!!!!!

!#@!$#@%$#%^$@^%$@^$%@^!^%$^&&%^%^&$@@%~!#$%@^&#%**(^&*

Manny ... Manny .... Manny!!! Come on back and get another ring!

obviously we need a bat to combat the yankees lineup but i would prefer taking a shot at adam dunn rather then put up with all the baggage manny brings with him.dunn is younger and the only knock on him is his strike outs....but i doubt he'd watch three beauties go down the middle of the plate to prove some sort of misguided point.

MANNY IS THE RED SOX GREATEST PLAYER IN THE LAST 80years.

HE GAVE WHAT, R.CLEMENS, TED, JERRY, MO VAUGHN, AND OTHER "GREAT CHARACTERS."

I'm stunned. Well written, but, are you serious? when you have guys like Pedey, Jacoby, etc? you want Manny back? he doesn't want US anymore.
no, he didn't "sneak out in a gorilla suit..." no, instead, he had tantrums, pushed an old man like a bitch, intentionally dogged it....pretty much stomped his feet and held his breath till we let him go...ran down lansdowne flipping the bird.
you're out of your mind.