Going . . . going . . .

Chad,just wanna say...I check every day for a new TATB,you're my first online stop always,don't ever change a thing.Almost always I am left thinking you must be a mind reader because every single post is almost identical to what I think/feel on any given topic.But THIS one...is absolutely word for word EXACTLY how I feel but couldn't put in to words as well.There's an oversaturation of sports media today, and I absorb a huge percentage of it,but your's is the only opinion/view that I ever hear that I really 100% respect and actually put stock into I suppose.And this post is just the best example.Keep up the everything.Thanks.

Amen.

Total agreement. I was at the game last night and it felt at times like I was watching Little League without the heart but with the groaners. When Manny hit one almost to but not over the wall, I thought: "Fine, let that be his final Red Sox homer--with thanks in every way." Manny has got to go, because even if baseball is a numbers game, it's always about making the team happen--too. So, too bad, but bye-bye, Manny. Now: Good work! Who's up next?

It's time for Manny to go bye-bye. He has Nomar-itis. He's a cancer that effects the entire team. Not running out plays, falling all over the place in left field, "Oh my knee hurts" before the effin' Yankee series, etc.

I couldn't care less if he it .400, he needs to go. And I used to be one of those cheering morons that no matter what he did, I'd say, "Oh, that's just him...he doesn't mean anything by it."

Well the latest idiotic comments are the topper. I can't imagine any player on the Yankees saying that stuff and remaining with the team, no matter who they are. What is he complaining about? Pedro? That's been done with for 4 years, and how's his career working out? The Red Sox didn't want to re-sign him because they were afraid his arm would fall apart and he wouldn't pitch very much.

So what's happened? His arm fell apart and he hasn't pitched very much. Check.

And Nomar? Nomar? He's bringing up THIS guy? One of the biggest clubhouse cancers of all time? If they were to have a "Who's Number 1" on ESPN of top 10 clubhouse cancers, he'd be in the top 5.

When they traded him, didn't Epstein say that they needed better defense and they felt that with him gone and the new players that gave them the best shot at winning the World Series?

Someone ask Ramirez what happened after that. Oh yeah, they won the World Series because of better defense from Cabrera at short. Exactly like what Epstein said.

And pretty much everyone they've gotten rid of, how has it worked for them in other places? Bill Mueller, Nomar, Pedro, Lowe, Millar, Nixon, Mintenkvich (sp), Reese, and on and on.

They haven't missed on too many and not by too much. What's he complaining about?

Bye Manny. Thanks for the two world series, good luck on some other team with the complaining and whining. Bye.

I am afraid I agree as well. I think the scene in Houston (shoving down press secretary Jack McCormick) was over the top and the start of a downward spiral that has not stopped. Don't know if it's too late to save this season. Standings indicate that it's not too late but their performances on the field since the All Star break leave very little to desire. Trading Manny would at least ensure something of value might be received. I don't like it but it's now the right thing to do. Let's get it done and move on.

Manny has been one of my favorite players over the last several years.I was always able to overllook his "Manny moments"and attribute them to his unique personality.Lately though,his actions have been disgraceful.Sox fans can forgive a lot of things,but sabotaging your team and teammates is over the line.His actions recently makes me think his at bat against the Yankees,where he stood there and took 3 pitches from Rivera without moving the bat off his shoulder,was intentional and was trying to send a message to management he was unhappy.I didn't want to believe it then,but it certainly looks like it now.

Being a Marlin fan all I can say is "Come on Down Manny".We would love to have him here in South Florida.Sure he can be a disrubtion in the clubhouse and a liability on the field,but the guy can hit!Probally in time we will grow tired of his act also,but he would surely make this summer run for the Pennant for us anything but boring.

"I don't want yet another Red Sox superstar sent away on a wave of bad feelings."

Chad -

But whose fault will that be if indeed this deal does go down? I've loved much of the Manny Being Manny experience - two WS wins in just four seasons (stating the obvious) - but it's tough defending some of the other nonsense that's been part of the package. Sorry, Manny, but it's hard feeling sorry for someone making your kind of coin.

It's time.

On the other hand, I hope we're all ready for the very real possibility of the next chapter of this saga in 2009 - Manny Being Manny In Pinstripes.

Any interesting thought, Manny prior to this year seemed the man-child, goofball, harmless type. Something changed this year, gregarious with the press, pushing down older men, mean spirited comments about the people who have put up with his 'quirky' sometimes bizarre behavior. So what's different? Scott Boras is looking for a commission, that's what. If the Sox pick up his option(s) Boras gets nothing. If he becomes a free agent.....you get the idea. Boras (or worm-tongue if you are familiar with LOTR) in my mind has got manny on puppet strings. It doesn't make him any less wrong, but I'm (more than)half convinced this is true. A snake oil salesmen like Boras could convince Manny of anything he wants. 'Open up to the media manny, people will love it'. We eat it up and then Scott starts turning it to his own devices.

I am a Red Sox fan, but I guess enough is enough. Manny need to go, I just wonder if Peace is what he is looking? Manny and his temperamental issues need to go elsewhere. Let young players take their best by wearing Manny shoes here in Boston. What we really need right now is Pitching, please get some help there.

get him out of town.....he is just not worth it

Sorry to disagree, but there is no comparative value and we need his bat. It will settle down after the deadline passes.

>waiting for Joe Kerrigan to pop out of the dugout to remove Frank Castillo

Kick me when I'm down, why don't you? Have to admit I thought of Frank when Beckett did the "fake to third, fake to first" thing twice in a row.

I don't know why the Manny bashers are vilified. In the end they proved to be correct and the defenders/enablers are finally seeing the truth. There was never any debate as to what Manny did with his bat. What it came down to was the example he set in the clubhouse, his commitment to the team and respect for the fans and the game itself. He's a great talent but he lacks the heart and maturity to be truly great. Who takes a $20 million salary then tanks plays or even games because of his feelings? Takes huge money then can't honor his commitments to the team and the fans that pay his salary? Manny has received much love from Boston and in the end he could never man up and do right by us. Guys like him poison the pond for everyone else.

Manny's a HOF'er for sure and he was great for the Sox. '04 and '07 wouldn't have been without him. But, there comes a time to go. Nomar got there as did Pedro. Thanks Manny and good luck.

The five points the Sox would lose in OPS+ would be more than made up for by the significant improvement in outfield defense and baserunning that Bay would bring. Since the Sox don't appear to be too concerned about spending John Henry's money (by paying the rest of Manny's salary plus picking up Bay's salary), I can only imagine that the holdup is because one or both of the Pirates and Marlins are trying to pry prospects loose from the Sox.

Manny has to go but the pitchers better look in the mirror and admit they aren't
earning their salary. The Red Sox don't have anyone they can count on as a
stopper like Beckett was last year. Every pitcher that goes out there has his
fingers & toes crossed that he will last more than 5 innings. The hitters are al-
ways coming from behind and when they get close, the pitchers give up another
3 runs

I like Manny but I think enough is enough. Good bye Manny!

Downright sad maybe, but downright relieved absolutely. His unprofessional act is toxic.

Your the best Chad. Your so great chad. Your so smart chad. Your blog is nothing short of resplendent chad. Can I touch your arm chad?

Give me a break!

i agree 100%
nice piece

why would you be sad?
are you the guy that cries about breaking up with a girlfriend that was cheating on you??
dude. has. got. to. go.

i HATE manny ramirez.

How the heck is Darren Oliver still twirling scoreless innings in the major leagues?

Please don't ever mention Frank Castillo's name again! The Jimy Williams-Joe Kerrigan era were the nadir of my life as a Red Sox fan.

Gotta give some credit to the Angels bats. They put together some hits in this series. Saunders always gives the Sox fits.

Another great night for the Captain. He should've had 2 errors, but was only charged with one. Looked anemic flailing at an outside fastball for strike three. At least he got a hit, albeit batting right handed.

Great splits - batting .204 lefty and .262 righty. Since June 1st, he has 2 HR and 11 RBI. He batted .122 in June and .197 in July. OH, but he's a GREAT HANDLER OF THE PITCHING STAFF!

Chad, you said "He's already gone in spirit."

Yes, he is. But also in the QUALITY of his play...he is gone. He's a whopping 5 for 20 since his menstrual cramps in SEA - and also did miss 2 games completely. (Or was it the King Felix-Joba 95+ mph flu...? I can't remember.) Those 5 hits came in 2 games, the others he was '0 for' - and has dogged it, what 3 times down the line already?

Let's face it, Manny's already checked out. If this 'production' is what we'll be left with until the year runs out....he's got to be traded.

This is just really, really, really sad. I too conclude Manny has to go. I was holding out hope, until last night. His words once again to the Spanish media, he clearly lives in a different world than most people. The way the Sox played last night - it was as if they were "poisoned." I cannot imagine watching "these" Sox for the rest of the season. I just feel so darn bad today.....

Remember how drastic it felt to think about trading Nomar - and at first the results of that trade looked like a disaster. But it worked out incredibly well. So let him go. He's a huge distraction.

You said it all with clarity and insight. Manny must go. He'll be happy playing with a purpose again on another team.

Even if that purpose is to show the Red Sox how great he is and how much the lost when trading him.

Right now he only wants the Red Sox to suffer by grounding into rally killing double plays he refuses to run out and hitting meaningless home runs with no one on base when the game is out of reach. Not exactly clutch play from a guy with his stats lately.

And throwing the team management under the bus in the middle of a pennant race is clearly selfish. And what about flat out lying about his knee and scratching out of the lining up against the Yankees because he wants to stick it to the team. The MRI they made him get showed nothing.....classic JERK move Manny.

The MRI they made him get on both knees showed nothing

Agreed...As a New York Yankee fan, I could not agree with you more...send Manny to South Florida!!!

The only option? That's an absurd comment. The red Sox have Manny under contract. Ho about the option to keep him and see how the playoffs (if we get there) play out? Henry would be foolish to let Manny go in the midst of trying to gain a playoff spot.

If Manny goes, we can all say "adios" to the playoffs. I don't think that Manny is the reason for the team's lack of performance. Did Manny make Varitek execute horrible throws? No, he does this all the time because he is no longer effective defensively or offensively.
Theo should have found a way to acquire Texeira. I would gladly say goodbye to Youk for the likes of him.
Bottom line: You don't trade the best pure hitter of all time for the likes of Bay -- you manage the guy.

I agree...but when is Varitek going to step up and call a closed door players only meeting and get everyone on the same page of being relaxed and having fun playing baseball again? That's when the wins happen. It's been turning too much into NY lately with a team that's expected to win, not have fun, and are being distracted to by the whole Manny thing...I'll be the first one to buy a Jason Bay jersey.

Sad but true...he turned his back on the fans the organization and the city. I guess we''' be seeing Manny being Marlin

Even though i am Yankees fan living in Massachusetts I've always had a soft spot for the Sox. Mainly because my maternal grandfather suffered for so long watching them. Sadly he died long before the Sox rewarded the fans in stunning and spectacular fashion in 2004. I'm sure Pepere was smiling somewhere during that 2004 October.

That magical one-two punch of Ortiz-Ramirez had much to do with the Sox success but it was only a part of it. I think the Sox could still work some magic to give the Yankees the same fits... they always have.

There is not rivalry better in sports!

In regards to the two superstars that manny says Sox brass dissed badly the facts are these: Nomar turned down a four year $60M contract and Pedro could not budge on the number of years the Sox offered. Pedro's and Nomars' medical history prove that the Red Sox were right. Theo had nothing but praise publicly for both of them so where was the disrespect? Manny needs to go and then he will realize what he is missing.

Yup. That sums it up. I tolerated the Manny being Manny stuff when it was quirky but it's officially moved into cancerous. I will miss him but he has to go. The bridges are burned. I don't have a great deal of faith in this '08 team but I try to draw parallels between this year and '04 with the shocking Nomar trade. IF Manny goes maybe the team will unite and go on another run...

You said it, CM. I was watching the disaster last night, and I basically began saying a much less eloquent version of this piece to myself. Chad, you nailed it, and I'm praying the Bay deal goes through.

And let's not overlook how great it would be to finally get a played like Bay off the perennially hopeless Pirates and on to a team where he will finally come in to the light.

I agree. On Monday night, I was at the game and Manny hit a late HR--I said to my wife, well, that's it--we just saw the last HR of Manny's Red Sox career. It was a sad moment, and I'll miss the goofy, slugging version of Many. But the greedy, petulant Manny--he has to go now. It's so frustrating--if he could have waited two, months, the Sox could have traded him during the off-season. But he (and Boras) couldn't wait (and Boras couldn't have even one option year picked up)--so this was all about money. After $160 million in salary, to have this be all about money is infuriating--I am now more angry with Manny than I was with Mo Vaughn (I couldn't stand the way he whined about his contract towards the end of his Sox career). Only a few weeks ago, the Sox were playing well and were hailed as the best team in the game and we were in the afterglow of C's 17. Now, sadness and anger. But the worm will turn again.

It's sad it's come to this but unfortunately that is the sports world we live in today. The parallels to Nomar are eerie but I hope the end result is the same!

I will always wonder how much that scumbag Boras had to do with Manny and his sudden knee woes.

Reprehensible bashers?? Who are you to call anyone reprehensible for not tolerating a selfish, ignorant, individual who cares ONLY for himself, thinks its funny when he screws up badly in the field, whose spirit has been gone from the Sox for years, and who is one of the worst base runners and fielders in Sox history!
Rarely does he run hard on the bases. The Manny trot on all grounders. He runs into right field when he should be breaking up double plays.
My admiration for the rest of the Sox players who have kept their mouths shut while this clown has been fouling up this team for weeks. Sore knee, bat on the shoulder without even a move against Yankees. Such a wonderful team player!!
Good riddance to this phony bum.

Chad, not to add to the chorus, but the fans are ready ... we weren't sure who or what to cheer or boo (and there was a lot to boo about)... all of the other players on the team are playing like they're waiting for something to happen ... anything. Manny is chirping to the press about how terrible this org is (you know, the one that paid him handsomely) and the rest of the guys can presumably read the paper ... it's no wonder they are playing like they are ... let's get to the endgame!

I'm torn over this...Manny is just out of control, but will Jason Bay be able to make it here in Boston as the "guy who replaced Manny" it's a big step for a guy who plays for the cellar dwelling Pirates.

I suppose the current ownership group is the greatest bunch of guys on the planet, yet I'm not sure why I'm supposed to care whether or not Manny gets along with them. He continues to produce. The team's struggles are not Manny's fault. He didn't make 4 errors last night, nor is he the black hole formerly known as Mike Lowell. I think what Manny said the other day rings true. It is suspcious that stories start seeping out disparaging fan favorites such as Nomar and Pedro as soon the management decides they are no longer needed. Chad I hope you don't become another Shaughnessy using your article to fight management's fights.

Are we absolutely sure this is all Manny's doing - he's created the situation where he's got to go? Could there be any truth to what he says about his treatment by the club?

I think there is a huge divide between what actually happens unseen to the media and fans, versus the little bones thrown out for public and media consumption. Without a 17% ownership in the Globe, Manny has far less ability to shape public opinion.

So if he goes, maybe we can lay some blame on the organization too.

It is quite a contrast to the Patriots - so many players like Lamont Jordan seem to sincerely hold the Patriots club in such high regard - no such sentiment exists regarding the Raiders organization. At some point consensus carries wieght. Consensus on the Red Sox club? They know how to market themselves.

Turns out that "his longtime, reprehensible bashers" -- including myself -- have every right to be "feeling vindicated."

Baseball is uniquely both an individual and team sport. This individual has long-ago determined that he'll merely apply himself to the one half of the equation.

The last straw was pushing a man thirty years his senior to the floor...not his (recently discovered?) "insubordination" which you only half-heartedly peg on this truly repugnant man-child.

How can this man NOT adversly affect a clubhouse?

funny, how typical of a red sox fan.... you HAD to mention something about the yankees in this article that has absolutely nothing to do with them

Manny has to go, that's absolutely correct, regardless of how happy it will make the MFY. His behavior is appalling, his lack of professionalism on the field no longer tolerable.

But let's say that a trade doesn't get made. Can you picture the next two months? I'll guarantee it won't be Papi and Manny mashing again. It will be Manny dogging it down the basepath, and then Manny claiming a hamstring or groin pull. And then Manny gets put on release waivers.

Any other scenario is blind, wishful thinking.

And what I'll never comprehend is how he went from "what, me worry?" Manny who reads books and talks to the press to this. But I do have a theory:

Manny wants a big contract. Manny played OK at the start of the year, in hopes of getting that option picked up. It didn't happen, because Theo never wavered from making that decision in the Fall. Manny don't like that, and Boras, seeing a superstar on the decline, told Manny to switch gears. DON'T work hard to get the option picked up - it will be that much harder to get you a big deal next year. Get yourself traded or released. Do what it takes - you have to hit the market THIS YEAR to get anything remotely close to the 4/100 that Gammons mentioned.

And now Manny, who has predicated all of his trade demands on the difficulty of living with rabid Red Sox fans, suddenly says he "loves them" but its ownership that is trying to make him look bad?

That is just laughable. And you know what? I've been a Manny apologist the whole time. But not any more.

I loved Manny too, for 8 years, but I've been a Red Sox fan all my life. They will be better off without him at this point and we, as fans, will quickly get over Manny's absence when the Sox start playing good ball again. We thought we couldn't live without Pedro and Nomar and Damon, but everything worked out fine. I have to say I'd rather see Matt Holliday here than Jason Bay but Bay is a good player and a good guy from what I hear.

You can't keep someone who screams, with every fiber of his being, that he detests being in Boston. From discouraging team mates with his antics, to shoving administrative personnel, to now making disrespectful public comments about the organization. Yes, Manny is one of the most wonderful hitters to ever grace the Red Sox uniform. His two-some with big Papi is one of the most awesome combinations since Peanut butter and Jelly! But, the PERSON of Manny Ramirez seems to be a cancer that has grown out of proportion to what the body Red Sox can handle. Sorry to see him go, but if the Red Sox have a chance to reclaim this season, it can only be with 9 on the field who will give their whole heart and soul to trying to win it.

I,like many fans of Manny,will certaily miss him.A player like that only crosses a teams path once in many years.I will miss him,but it's time for him to leave the greatest team in baseball.I hope he finds peace,for that's what he's really pursueing.He reminds me of another ballplayer by the name of Richie Allen,who could've easily had made it to HOF,but he had his head screwed on backwards for so many years.He finally came to grips with it and changed his name to Dick Allen and went to the White Sox.But he wasted so many years........He and a Manny are very rare birds...I wish him well and feel very sorry for Big Papi,for he certainly is losing a great friend and ballplayer

Couldn't agree more!

Sad, but it's time for Manny to exit stage left.

Take the Marlins deal...IF the Marlins go for it...take it now BEFORE they wake up.
Manny's skills have been declining the last two seasons and his attitude is killing the team.
What? The Red Sox are mean guys because they want to adhere to a $168 million dollar contract? $168 million!! It's business! They have until 11/9 to decide on 1 year of the two years of TEAM options and they should have been able to wait as long as they can to decide, especially given the mercurial behavior of Ramirez.
Everyone is screaming this season about Varitek at the plate and Manny is a season away from a .250/12/60 year of production. Trade Manny and sign Bonds for the minimum, making him give it all the Jimmy Fund. Papi and Bonds back to back? Whoa!! Barry will look like a team cheerleader after Manny's BS!!

Nailed it on the emotional and intangible aspect of the situation. From a logistical side, there are, of course, the glaring truths of getting something rather than (almost) nothing. Even if the Sox keep Ramirez, they're unlikely to pick up his option. So they get...depending on arbitration...a couple of sandwich picks in return. By trading him now the Sox get bona fide veteran help, some of which should be under their control for much less $$$ for years to come.

It will tear my heart out to see Manny go. And for dang sure it'll change the lineup.

Not going to happen. Jason Bay just came out and said the Red Sox don't deserve a player like him either. So, the Sox can't find a player they deserve.

I hate to see him go too but this time its different from all the other times he demanded to be traded. I started having bad thoughts during the NY series at the beginning of the month when Manny came in to pinch hit against Mariano Rivera. Manny looked....apathetic. I remember yelling at the tv for Manny to swing the bat at least one time but no.

I'd like to see him play out the season but can do without the everyday drama of Manny's recent ramblings. Guess what Manny? Lots of people have issues with their management but aren't fortunate enough to make millions and force their company to let them go. Suck it up for a few more months and go to work and do what you get paid an insane amount of money to do - work.

Chad-
Agreed on all counts. What absolutely amazes me is this. This man was throwing roses around the place two months ago wasn't he? Then suddenly he and Youk get into it, then he pulls a Zimmer on the traveling secretary, then he starts the demand that they pick up his option now (I thought that meant he wanted to stay if he wanted his option picked up), and now, we hear his childish demands about wanting out of here. Let him go.

His actions over the last couple of months have been an insult to everybody. Management, Tito, and most importantly, the fans. Two observations I have seen over the last few games from our fans, who I believe are the most knowledgeable and passionate fans in all of baseball: First, when Manny barked to his pal in the media about a trade........his first at bat, NO BOOS OR CHEERING. the fans were totally indifferent. It was perfect. This was the fans way of saying, we have heard this before, and we don't give a crap now. Enough of it. Second, we are fighting desperately to avoid getting no-hit in a rather listless offensive performance and Manny hits what should have been an infield single down the line. The boy jogged. Even Remy called him out (absolutely amazing on his behalf). I was offended by his effort, watching from 800 miles away at my television. Absolutely offended.

The only person that seems to want to call him out is Eric Wilbur, and I commend him on that. I am sick and tired of hearing the disrespect card from these spoiled, pampered athletes. Nomar was not run out of town, and Pedro was not run out of town. It's a business, and management makes business decisions sometimes. Let me be one to say that i'd be glad to see Manny go. I find it hard to believe that the organization has been as awful to him as he "claims" they have. I'm so glad he loves the fans though. After all, he doesn't want to lose his popularity right? Subtract one fan right here.......

Last Friday night, when Beckett lost to maniac Chamberlain 1-0, and the latter threw at Youlilis' head yet again (did K do something years ago to this guy that we don't know about?), and the Sox swung at (it seemed) EVERY pitch in the dirt, etc., I turned to my girlfriend and I said "You heard it here first, from me, this is the beginning of the end of the 2008 season". Since then every starter has been bombed (except Lester Sunday night). There is -0- hitting, Ramirez is beyond dogging it (5.17 seconds running to 1st on the 5-3 grounder Tuesday)..................
Stisk a fork in the Sox, they are DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With Ramirez, and comments Wednesday night, the franchise has beyond lenient with this weirdo for quite some time. No one, I repeat, NO ONE is bigger than the team/franchise. Can Henry suspend him for the last 2 months without pay? Remember 2006 when he packed it in for the last 44 games? He started packing it in several weeks ago this season. His numbers are not anything to write home about, and clutch ANYTHING is few and far between. He has the audacity to blame the franchise for his attitude???????? He brought it ALL on himself. We shall see how it all transpires............................

Manny has made it impossible for him to stay. Last night's game almost took all hope for this season.... They played like a pick up game in the back yard... And it went from one player to the next... I still have hope they can pull out of this, but that wil not happen if Manny is still here.

Being a travel baseball coach I am a fan of Manny's swing and ability to set up pitchers. Phenomenal RH power hitter. But he is no example to kids (or adults) of how to be a team player and his run is over as far as I am concerned. AGREED - he has to go and soon. As a Sox fan, I could live with whatever happens without Manny this year and KNOW that Tito and Theo would be in a much better position to build an awesome club with an extra $20 Mil. Think about the fact that every GM in the league knows how good a hitter Manny is but nobody has stepped up to take on his attitude and salary when he was available on waivers. Unreal how Tito has handled Manny over the years. Time for a change.

The only possible replacement out there right now would be for us to get Bay and a reliever, unless we can find a better, bigger bat in the next 12 hours. Manny has got to go. I've loved this guy and his antics all along because he was for ther most part, HARMLESS, but, when he beats up a 62 year old man, picks a fight with Youk and can't stop spouting his mouth off to the media, I'm sorry, but, he's got to go. I think the players are fed up behind the scenes. I am going to miss all the fun he gave us, but, it's not fun nor funny anymore. This team needs it's CHEMISTRY back and it's gone with all of the latest Manny antics. Angels are now stacked, White Sox are geting Griffey, the Yankees are back in the race and are smiling seeing that Manny is probably going elsewhere. We're taking on water and the ship is about to sink. If we can't get the Chemistry back in the next couple of weeks and players can't enjoy their job, I guess we'll see you next year & the Yankees wil be thanking us for our self explosion.

Hey Chad,

Ditto on all you said, but it's time for us to all grow up now. It's like losing the very hot, very pleasing, and very unfaithful girlfriend. It will hurt, but if we have any self respect and character of our own, we'll get over it quickly. He did this to us, so let's save the romanticization of Manny for the day he comes back with gray hair and a beer gut of his own. Besides, the Sox will be far better without him, and let no one forget that, even if they lose big this year. Character is critical in sports, let's not forget that.

Orange Julius-
Where is the link to this comment? Not showing where you got this information shows no credibility at all.

I was out last night, and only saw a couple minutes of the game, and heard the final score. This morning, my sister (a Yankees fan) calls me from Virginia to ask what is up with Manny's latest tirade. I really appreciate what Manny has done - he has more work ethic than people realize practicing in short left field (remember the consistent quick release?), and I enjoy the occasional antic, but when this soap opera becomes national, it's too much. Plus, there is no way that this can't be affecting the others on the team, and the attempt to get into and win the playoffs, and he has to know it. That's disrespecting your teammates and the fans, which I hope the other players have told him. I'm afraid the equation of Manny has finally turned negative, and at a bad time in the season, too. If Theo can make the rumored deal, or something like it, happen, do it.

Why does every superstar Red Sox player have to leave the team on ugly terms? Manny's been great (him standing at home with his arms raised when he hit that walkoff is probably the most memorable moment of the playoffs, albeit in the first round) but his antics have crossed the line. He will soon join the list that includes Boggs, Clemens, Vaughn, Nomar, Pedro ... it's upsetting as a fan.

And to any apologists out there, try to remember that this is a guy who just made $168M over the last 8 years playing freaking baseball. He has zero right to complain about money. Ever.

Chad, before the proposed Jason Bay/Grabow deal emerged, I was resigned to the fact that the best move for the Bosox was to let Manny play out the rest of the year and not pick up his option. Now, as much as I respect what he has contributed to the organization and Red Sox Nation at large, I know that they must move Manny. If the Red Sox can get Bay and Grabow, they will still have a shot this year; if not, the Red Sox will have to wait only a few more days before they are trailing both the Rays and the Yankees in the Standings.

The Sox front office wrote the first act in this drama. Unfortunately, Manny and crew took the bait and turned into what may turn out to be a tragedy that has repercussions far beyond this year. I still keep hoping that Manny sits down with the Sox brass and talks it out like ARod did with the Yanks last year, but I know that is very unlikely.

Interesting how Manny threw out the names of Nomar and Pedro as people whom the Red Sox trashed on their way out the door, but didn't mention Damon or Kevin Millar. Yes, I know that Nomar was born in California, but you have to wonder whether there's some sort of Latino solidarity going on here.

I'll give credit to Bruce Allen for this - is there any connection between his visit with Scott Boras and the latest crack-up? I doubt Scott told him to misbehave, but I would be surprised if Scott didn't tell him that if he continued to produce, the Red Sox would pick up his option and he could make more money if they didn't. Of course, Boras didn't exactly have his finger on the pulse of the market last October with A-Rod, did he, but he's not going to tell Manny that.

Also, does Manny remind you in any way of Ricky Williams? No, he didn't retire so he could smoke weed, but the two are very talented individuals who are also very strange.

Before we had Tek behind the plate we had a guy named Tony Pena. Tony was at the end of his career and couldn't hit his way out of a wet paper bag. But every time he hit the ball he would run his butt off down to first base. Many times his helmut would fly off his head as he ran as fast as he could down the line. He would usually be out, but the fans would cheer because he hustled and tried his best.
I'm very disappointed in Manny, especially this year. If he showed just half the hustle that Tony Pena showed his numbers would be even greater than they are today. with the option hanging over his head, I thought Manny would be busting his hump to show the Sox how good he is. But I was wrong.
Can you imagine how good Manny would have been if he had the personal drive of a Larry Bird or Tom Brady? What a shame.

If by "Gone in Spirit" you mean completely quit on his team...you're right. Since we put up with Manny's childish behavior for the last eight years maybe its time to punish him like a child. Don't trade him and let him ride the bench for the rest of the year. When he leaves the club, as he invevitably would, then they won't have to pay him.

Manny brought this all on himself. Persona non grata.

I think John Henry is right. I realize I' may be alone here,but I wouldn't make the trade. I don't think it's a sound business decision. It's pure emotionalism. It's time to play some real hardball with this character. I would order him to play and suspend him if he doesn't. He wants a new contract so he has no choice to not only play, but play his heart out. Put yourself in John Henry's shoes. It's his money we're talking about not ours

"You really captured the spirit of the thing."

I will miss watching him hit in a Red Sox uniform...

OK, I've finally had enough of Manny. No more apologies from me.

Get rid of the guy, and then retire Dwight Evan's #24.

Manny may have helped the Sox win two rings-- there's no denying that-- but Evans was much more of a TRUE Red Sox and a REAL ballplayer. Not just a hitter...he could do everything (except maybe run).

We'd get to honor Dewey and slap Manny down with one stroke...killing two birds wih one stone.

I'm not a Sox fan, just someone who follows the team for geographic reasons, so my question is, How is what he's doing this year that different from what he's done at this time in seemingly every season past? Doesn't he always come down with some fake injury and talk about how he wants to be traded, then miraculously recovers, hits a bunch of homers, and everyone loves him? I'm surprised by everyone calling his bluff, and I wonder if he is too.

There wasn't a team with more chemistry problems than the 72-74 Oakland Athletics (they weren't called "Swingin' A's" for nothing!) and all they did was win World Series titles one after the other...chemistry, schemistry is way over-rated....that bunch was so mad at the world and management that they played their guts out to get the heck out...aided and abetted by a shrewd HOF manager named Dick Williams...remember him? The Knight of the Keyboard do...they turned on him in a heartbeat when Yaz and the team decided they'd had enough of his boot-camp style:Williams was gone shortly thereafter. ..then they did a quick pivot and started in on Yaz.....The same applies here...it's stupid move. Manny will light it up August-October no matter where he is: it free-agent production time! But the Knights of the Keyboard want and will have their scalp on the wall...let's see, TS Williams, Yaz, Lonborg, DWilliams, Pudge, Freddy, the Rooster, Jim Ed, Mo, Nomar, Roger, Pedro...who's next, RSN?

Is anybody covering the Scott Boras issue? Is it unreasonable to think Boras told Manny to get out from under this contract by getting traded to a small market team for the playoff run, so Boras can get Manny another 4 year deal at $25M / year in the offseason?

Manny sucked all the energy out of the team last Friday when he refused to play, and that can't happen again if the Sox are to make a run at a playoff spot. Remember the energy that came to the Sox in 04 when Carbrera started doing the job at ss with no complaints and how the team finally came together. This COULD happen and the pitchers might get a smidgen of added adrennalin if they know there is someone in LF who can actually play the position with some credence of skill. Go for the trade and let Manny be Manny elsewhere, the Sox are too good not to let him go!!

I had to read 68 comments to finally see someone talking sense. Short of beating breaking the law, Manny has only said words. His two shoving incidents, one was completely justified as Youkilis was and frequently does act like a wild idiot. The guy is too important to the lineup. Everyone is swept up with the emotionalism, but it's the wrong way--Manny is this, Manny is evil, Manny is a cancer---unbelievable.
Fans, you are the most ungrateful of them all. Two Sox WS titles will do that to all of us. Embarrassing. Let's let the other teams laugh when Manny is sent packing. Wow, for all he has done for the team's offense ever since his arrival, to throw him under a bus for his words....Maybe we, the fans, don't deserve him. Forget about the organization, which has systematically left players waiting and waiting on contract offers or any offers or mostly no offers. Maybe if they actually tried to show the players some ability to work out deals earlier than becoming free agents, maybe then they wouldn't be just a business. Instead, we have Wakefield still getting these ridiculous 1-year contracts. And that's a guy who is a model citizen and model teammate, and terrific pitcher--but you clown fans throw him under the bus after every bad start.....Idiots.

Agree. As a life-long Sox fan I want to continue to see Manny Ramirez as the face and personality of these championship years after 86 of futility and I am afraid I may not be able to do so should he stay.

On comment 74, remember how the Sox refused to sign Cabrera after he was a model player and helped the Sox win in 04? Remember?

Sounds like you care more about what's in the media, and personalities, than you do about baseball (that *is* what we're talking about, isn't it - sometimes it seems like the 38,000 who shell out all the dough care more about Sweet Caroline than they do about what's between the white lines).
I don't give a crud about what Manny does or doesn't say; I don't care about him ripping the team; I think even he realizes that his own bat is his best tool to campaign for someone to pay him $20M next year. What I *care* about is not running out ground balls, faking injuries, quitting on the team. Maybe the SABR-metrics say the Sox are better off with him in the lineup, but where do you draw the line as far as what's tolerated to have him in the lineup? Shoving the travelling secretary? Not playing, to protest the discipline (which maybe should have been made public) from that? My biggest problem with Ramirez has always been: doesn't hustle. And SABR-metrics be damned - not hustling, and quitting, *does* have an effect on the team, and just because they can't measure and predict it, doesn't make it not so. I suppose I am a "reprehensible basher" of Ramirez; that's just because I've seen him not run out ground balls too many times.

Sometimes leaders have to hold a "public execution." George Washington hanged two deserters during the American Revolution to send a message. As far as I am concerned the Red Sox should have waived him last weekend (better yet after skipping the end of 2006). For five years Tito has done the most amazing job of reconciling unprofessional behavior and sheltering it from the media and destroying team camaraderie. This enabling/keeping the ship together tension can only go on so long before the pampered one pushes the limits and affects everyone else in an irrevocable way. The sad reality of professional sports is there are many more like Manny than Big Papi. Manny has not earned this "superstar" treatment for a few years. His performance has declined substantially. There are other hitters who can provide 25 hr and 100 rbis given the quality of the rest of the Red Sox lineup. Sox fans should accept that it is difficult to repeat as champs (never thought I'd ever say that) and enjoy the Mike Lowells and Dustin Pedroias regardless of the outcome.

Manny must go. He has become a poison in the clubhouse that is effecting the team's play on the field. He is also very annoying.

Scott Boras IS a snake oil salesman and Manny is an ungrateful, self-centered whining child who happens to be one of the most gifted hitters ever. I would like to see him traded and have confidence the Sox execs will do the very best they can, given the circumstances. Wisely, the Sox ordered Manny to have an MRI. Perhaps they also should order a psychological evaluation? The team is very talented, we ARE in a pennant race, and there is so much more left of this season. I loved watching Manny for eight years, but the time has come for him to go (to a National League team, please!)

I say stick it to Boras and Manny and pick up the option now!!! Make amends with Manny - it can be done.. . And, it would remove distractions and certainly calm things down enough around here to make the team play to its potential. And, Ortiz can't afford to lose his presence in the lineup.

Ok, now I'll just sit back and wait for the comments about how stupid this idea is.. : )

The worst part, if Manny is traded, is that bitter jerk Callahan getting his way again.

Manny has been great. What's going on with him? Does anyone care? It seems like the REAL picture here is being ignored, and business takes over. I am a super Manny fan, and don't thing the "geographical cure" will help him. Something is really wrong. No matter what the organization has done to him or the team or anything, his behavior is way off and unprofessoinal. I'm sure manny didn't intend to knock that guy over. That's not MANNY - and Manny should get some kind of help to figure it out. Forget baseball, forget big bucks, that's got nothing to do with it. He's just like everyone else, and needs to get help He's given a lot to Boston, and I'm sad to see him go.

If they can not get the Manny trade done, I say pick up his option for 2009 so he is not eligible to receive the big contract Boras thinks he can get him. Manny is screwing the Sox, turn the screws on him. Pick up the option for 2009 then work on trading him in spring training. For that matter pick up the option for 2010 and the team that gets him will have him under contract for 2 years. Don't do him any favors by releasing him. Such a shame that he will only make $40 million for the next 2 years. He should head to the food stamp office with that measly salary

Well written! I agree 110%. Manny is missed already.

Theo, you have to act on this fast! This has to get resolved soon, I can't concentrate on my work today.

Here's the $100,000 question: What if the Red Sox are unable to complete a deal and Ramirez does remain for the last few months?

Manny does not have to go. Anyone in management in any business is used to being critisized by employees. No big deal. The only real question is do we get reasonable value. That's doubtful. And Manny has a history of mid-season PMS, which ends in time for him to hopefully make a contribution at crunch time. Of course if the Red Sox play as they did against the Angels, Manny will get another injury about Sept 1, as the Red Sox slide into garbage time.

His issue is picking up next year's option. Save that for the off-season, and don't let the media make the decision. No wonder the guy has the feeling no one loves him. We can put up with Manny being Manny for three more months, then someone can make an informed if not complicated decision as part of building for 2009.

I agree with post No. 75. Why should we expect Manny to show such undying gratitude toward the Sox when they've never shown the same toward him or his teammates. Do you really think that the team isn't going to throw Varitek under the bus next year and ask him to take some ridiculous pay cut to be their everyday catcher? Do you think Papi won't be trade bait if his power numbers diminish after surgery? As for Manny, this is a team that's already tried to unload him for A-Rod. Why should he chase their little option carrot like some idiot while guys like JD Drew get huge money for minimal output. John Henry is the only person making sense in this argument. Thank god he's holding the purse strings for now.

Sorry to have to say this but are Red Sox Mangers and Red Sox Nation blaming Manny for the poor playing lately. I seems to think that blaming Manny is everyone's out for just piss poor playing on the part of all the red sox. We haven't been hitting, pitching or playing the field well.
Shame on you Red Sox Nation
Manny is great. It will be too sad to see him go.

Bay is not anywhere near fair value for Manny. Check out his stats with men in scoring position. He is not a clutch hitter. The last thing we need is another rally killer.

Even if we get a whole new bullpen, trading Manny is a stupid, stupid, stupid idea. Stupid for us, stupid for him. What's with you people?

Manny has 20 home runs for the 14th year in a row - he has played 100 or more games all those years, including this one. Only Dustin Pedroia has played in more 2008 games. He has the second highest batting avg. on the 08 team and he is a 314 lifetime hitter. So far, he has 68 RBI, 2nd to Youlk's 70. He is tied for the highest on base % with JD Drew.

You people are insulted? Please. Hopefully, John Henry et al is smarter and thicker skinned than you folks. My mother would call this "biting off your nose to spite your face."

We will rue the day we hand over one of the very best.

A long time ago the Red Sox had a difficult super star. He caused lots of trouble was not easy to deal with and a "Cancer" in the club house. Finally the Sox decided to cut ties and get what they could for him.

It was 86 years until they won another world series. (OK, a bit of a stretch but in case you did not know I am talking about Babe Ruth).

Manny is a jerk, but I don't have to deal with him and I want the sox to win. A somewhat happy Manny hitting for the Sox is the best way to do this (see two world series Champ)

It may be to late now, but my first choice is figure out a way to make him play for the Red Sox. And if someone has to kiss his butt to make it happen...well it isn't mme.doing the kissing.

All good things must come to an end. Manny is 36 yr. old DH, masquerading as a left-fielder. He'll become a free agent at the end of the season, once the Sox decline their $20mil. option on him.

Currently, the Angels are head and shoulders better than the Sox, who, when playing well, are on parr with the Yankees. But the Sox, as currently constructed, have no chance of winning it all. So...its' time to be bold. If the Sox can pull this alleged three-way deal off, WITHOUT GIVING UP ANY PROSPECTS, they should do it.

Not trading Manny would be foolish...in light of his current attitude, and the fact that, at the end of the season, the Sox will lose him anyway...and get nothing in return.

89-91...I agree. Chad, I like the blog but I think it's sad you're letting Globe sportswriters make the call for you. Manny's relationship with the FO doesn't have any effect on the games played on the field. It certainly hasn't had any effect on him...he's practically the only Sox still hitting. It seems a lot of people who've disliked #24 for some time are reveling right now, sadly it has very little to do with what's best for the team. Theo hasn't been very mature about this whole thing either: you can either be the bigger man and do what you say (i.e."the important thing is concentrating on making the playoffs" etc.) or you can drag a guy you don't like through the mud, all but publicly accusing him of faking an injury, etc. Can't have it both ways.

If the rationale to make a trade is "well, it won't make us MUCH worse," then you should probably re-think that thought. Especially with Teixera to LAA and Pudge to NYY. Focus on baseball being played on the field, please, instead of looking at the usual scapegoats.

So what’s everybody going to talk about when Manny’s gone from the Red Sox? I imagine with all the blogs, the pictorials, the Manny Moments, the daily Shaughnessy bashing, that the Globe and boston.com won’t be selling as much add space and actual newspaper print than if you had to report on, ohhhhhhhhhh say J.D. Drew’s batting streak.

Let’s just say for all the sport’s writers that are calling for Manny’s exit – be careful what you wish for. It may come true.

My perspective appears to be different from 98% of the rest of the fans. The thing about baseball is that it’s a looooooooooooooong season. I can’t imagine any fan that watches every pitch, every walk to the mound, every time out. There’s a lot of downtime in baseball. And there’s not an awful lot that we haven’t seen before during the course of a game or a baseball season. For purists, I imagine this is WUNNNNERFUL WUNNNNERFUL! But for the rest of us, I like most of the Manny moments that add a little excitement to the game.

With Manny, the great thing is, you never know what he’s going to do next. He’s selling barbeques on e-bay, he’s caught jay walking by a cop in Seattle that doesn’t know him, and he’s talking on his cell phone behind the Monstaaaaaaaaah. Admittedly, some of these Manny moments are downright wrong, including the manhandling of the Sox logistics guy. That’s something that should have been handled internally and possibly by the police if it was bad as they make it to be. So, whether you like it or not, he keeps people’s interest, as evidenced by the number of entries in this blog. Interest (or Innnnn-ter-est as Bernie and Phil would say) is GOOOOOOOOD for baseball revenue, whether you like it or not!

Now, regarding baseball – if Manny is around in September and October and there’s baseball to be played in Boston, I want him on OUR team – not the opposing one. He’s delivered in September and October. My guess is that we will be facing the Angels at some point (if we make it that far) and Manny will deliver – unlike guys that we brought in before that claimed they could deliver in October – remember Jose?

Yes his numbers are slipping, yes he’s not going to run out most pop fly sure outs, but he’s going to hit when it’s time to hit. He’s going to continue being Manny – he’s going to ruffle some feathers. Hopefully, he won’t do anything more that’s considered malicious. But he helped bring TWO World Championships to Boston, and possibly a third.

How many years have we been talking about getting rid of Manny now? I’m glad it’s all talk, and will continue to be – at least that’s my opinion.

Heres a vengeance dream to spite Manny's/Boras' media plays to trash any value the Sox might've been able to get for Manny:

1. Pick up both options
2. Trade Manny to SD or SEA (or maybe KC).
3. Sox pay all of Manny's salary except league minimum.
4. Sox responsibility for salary ends if the receiving team trades Manny elsewhere.

After all this public posturing, how can Manny veto a trade? If he does, the Sox keep him and play hard ball on his behavior.

Love #85 from Sox Fan in Texas. Even for thie Bay deal - pick up the option, offer to pay 1/2 of next years salary and THEN trade him away. The Marlins get him locked for another year at a bargin, the Yankees DON'T get him for what I feel will be his last uber-productive year and Boras getting screwed is just an added bonus.

Just like when we got rid of Nomar, get rid of Manny, bring in Bay.

Go on a tear and win another one, and Simmons will change it to the Ramirez Theory...

Unfortuately this is being tried in the media. No negativity meant since the media did not initiate this situation.

Only Manny knows what will find him 'peace'. I support both the Sox and Manny in this endeavor. After all, Manny AND his Teamates brought us TWO World Series. I truely like and enjoy Manny-- but I also truly enjoy the REST of the Sox too.

Where this is at least the third year (I'm loosing count) this has occurred... an EXIT strategy should be negotiated to provide the most positive outcome for both. (Manny and the Sox). It's like your spouse cheating on you. Once ... OK then let's fix it... it might have been my fault.....twice and three times.... the damage is done and things will not change.. no matter who's fault it is. We all love Manny but we also love the Sox.

Until resolved, this detracts from achieving the overall objective............ "PLAY BALL!"

I loveD Manny, Thanks for the memories, but it si time to go.

Get rida da bum! You can call it the curse of the "manbino". And use it as just another excuse when you're saying "wait'll next year". How soon you forget. Ya'll act like a bunch of Stinkees fans anyway. GO RAYS!!!

NO! NO! NO!
We keep him and we make him understand that he is an employee of the Red Sox until his contract expires. Sit him down, fine him, put the heat on him from the players that have to witness his childlike behavior but do not let him go.
If he is unwilling to conform then the blame is on him. Let the fans witness his continued lackluster perfomances so that we can let him know how unhappy we are. 20 million is a lot to lose when he has to negotiate next year and the new potential owner views the video of what Manny does when he is not happy. Tell him to go to hell and if he isn't willing to put out then sit on the bench for the last 8 weeks and rot. His teammates and us fans will deal with Manny being Manny.
Then let him go whereever he likes and he can take his tarnished reputation with him....for considerably less money.

Manny is the greatest hitter in the game today. We would be fools to want him gone.
I'm sick and tired of fans who complain when players don't act like silent, do as your told, company men. Give me personality. Give me entertainment. Manny does that every time he takes the field.
All management had to do was make him feel wanted. He's a simple guy. Why would they mess this up?

Red Socks what is on your mind.....You fill the stands....your making money......
five years ago you couldn't give your seats away......Your players are artist
ya maybe there querky.....but they show results.......So there off there mark.......
I think Manny brings flair to the team......chit chat sells seats...sells papers
Red Socks Nation is a great Nation....How could it be the same without
Manny......You need to at least finish the season.... then take a good look at
what you have. and how you got there....

Baby-manny has looked @ far too many close pitches & struck out far too many times all season long ! I've hated seeing that ! If he could he'd bring a mirror up to bat along w/ his bat & UGLY dew. If someone, like Kevin Millar was around to put baby-manny against a clubhouse wall & read him the riot act that his crap has got to stop--evidently not even Papi will take the chance, What he (Baby-M) needs is an old fashioned ass-whippin' to remind him that he OWES RED SOX NATION & even more his RED SOX TEAM hussle ! Would Baby-M listen ? I think not. So I vote to kick his ass anyway, then trade him for real, live, TEAM players that want to play.
Send baby-manny back to his Weston, Fl home w/ a blackeye & the knowlege he could NOT pull his sit-down strikes ever again for aTEAM that wants to win.

I live in Miami, Florida but I am a DIEHARD SOX fan and I am still scratching my head over this deal. The SPANKEES give up nothing (Farnswourthless) and get a great catcher yet we give up a Hall of Fame player and get Bay along with a so so reliever. I understand that Bay is no slouch but I would have pushed really hard for Pat Burrell. I am pretty sure that Pat Burrell will be a free agent at the end of next year so why not go after him instead. I know the Phillies are cheap and won't pay to re-sign Pat. I am glad to see the cancerous Manny go but I feel cheated in the deal, hopefully I am wrong.

The real question that hasn't been brought up is how will this affect Ortiz #'s now that you lose the one two punch. I hate to say it SOX fans but I don't see Papi's #'s going up because he will definately see more walks or bad pitches.

Chad, usually I agree with most of what you write. I do, however, take exception to your description of those who've questioned, or "bashed" as you say, the entire package that is Manny Ramirez as "reprehensible". Me thinks you've got blinders on just because one Manny Ramirez has the ability to hit a baseball.

What's reprehensible is folks like yourself who for too long have looked at Manny with the eyes and brain of a 5 year old. Even at this point, when his true colors are on display for one and all to see, you can't help but revert to lashing out and labeling those who saw his act for what it was the whole time as "reprehensible". Please, you come across like a kid who doesn't wanna believe one of his superheroes wasn't so super afterall. Manny is jerk, always has beeen, always will be. He shouldn't have been allowed to put on the uniform last night, what a disgrace.

Actually, I'm pretty sure they'll ask Tek to take a 'ridiculous paycut' because he's been below replacement level in terms of production. I mean we're talking Mirabellian numbers here. As far as 'respect' isnt one of the top 5 contracts in MLB HISTORY enough respect for most people? Isn't having no accountability with regards to your effort on running down the line or playing defense a form of respect (while simultaneously DIS-respecting the game might i add). He's chosen this path, noone chose it for him (unless you count Boras), noone pushed him down (Jack Mcormick style) it by disrespecting him. He simply doesn't like the contract that he chose to sign 8 years ago and like the spoilled child that he is, he's throwing a very public tantrum. And given his different behavior this year (less flake, more headache) I'm not sure it would simply go away once 4pm on trade deadline day passes.

Dear Red Sox Nation;

Grow up! You all bitch and moan at what a player says and eat it all up. You forget this is no longer a game, this is business. The man is playing on your emotions and bad PR which the Red Sox management hates to get out of a legal contract that will get him a much bigger pay off in the end. The Reason Manny wants out is because he wants a new 4 to 6 years contract now at age 37/38 instead of at age 39/40. Who is gonna pay really big bucks for a 40 year old hitter, the kinda money Manny wants, no one. So Manny is playing you for a fool and getting away with it. If he does not want to play, bench and fine him. I would love to see him sit on the bench for two years, he would hate it.

I remember when he was put on waivers and people wondered if Manny would hold a grudge.

My initial thought was, He can't even hold a thought.

He gets $30,00 per AB. It's enough money to run.
Boo his lazy ass people. He's cheating you. Embarrass this moron (and all the rest) every time he pulls this crap and maybe it will end.

btw, ask Mr Bonds how easy it is to get a contract, despite your numbers, when you act like a selfish asshole.

That's right break up the best hitting duo in baseball. The Yankees will be celebrating tonight. Once again the Red Sox show they can't control themselves.
If you go Manny you'll be misseed.
Red Sox nation get ready for the next great drought as the Yankees and Angles become the cream of the American League.

Loved watching him swing, endured his goofy antics, but I am tired of watching him dog it on the bases and in the outfield. There's more to the game than swinging the bat. When some overpaid & lazy player who earns more per game than most of us do in a year refuses to hustle its a hard act for me to swallow. So, for as much as I enjoy seeing him swing, good-bye. We'll miss you Manny, but not as much as we won't miss watching you dog it.

Obviously, Manny was good for the Sox for a long time. I loved seeing the guy come to bat with runners on in a tight game. But the guy is losing his mind and has begun to portray himself as THE MAN. He's not. And with Manny acting the fool, don't think that the rest of the team is not constantly harassed by the press about little else but Manny. I'm sure they're sick of it. And I'm sure that it's part of the reason they're not on top of their game. A couple new enthusiastic bodies in the clubhouse would pick this team up. Hope it happens. I'll miss his bat, but that's it.

How soon they forget! How long ago was it that the world champion red sox were anointed as "the best team in baseball? So, they hit a bad patch and now everyone wants to give up on the season? Jason Bay is not the answer. Dumping Manny will cost us 2008. Inconsistency has been the problem this year. Manny's actually been one of the most consistent players. I've been hoping that Tek could turn it around, but I'm getting pretty doubtful about that now. The Manny thing IS a distraction. We should be focusing on our weaknesses, like catcher and shortstop. I think the red sox have the bullpen arms they need. To be continued.

Shortly after the Red Sox acquired Manny, by overpaying for him, I was as excited as a little kid on Christmas. The best hitter in the world coming to Boston was more than I could dream of. In a few short months, my excitement turned to frustration. Sure, he was mashing and knocking in runs, but the lack of hustle and respect for the game was gnawing at me. I am an avid Sox fan. Have been for over 40 years. I, as many of you, longed for a World Series Championship. My best memories of rooting for the Sox have been watching guys like Evans, Fisk, Lynn and Burleson. Guys like Remy, Hobson and Barrett. Players who busted thier asses and played the game the way it was supposed to be played. Sure, these players never won a World Series, but they won my "sports" heart.
I watched with mixed emotions as the Sox won thier first championship in 2004. I saw spoiled brats like Pedro and Manny celebrate and somehow, although I was witnessing my beloved Sox' first championship in my lifetime, I felt disdain that Manny and Pedro got to experience that feeling and that REAL Sox never did.
Get rid of this spoiled idiot . We are playing with the house's money with two rings in the last four years. I'd rather watch a team of players that I CAN ROOT FOR AGAIN.

I would have to place a lot of the blame on Red Sox management. It seems as if they perpetually have brats that never get punished. Why wouldn't you suspend Manny for a week after he pushed the elderly Gent and fought Youk in the dugout. It reminds me of crying bratty kids at a grocery store and all you can think of is the parents don't have a clue... If you reponse is, "they did punish him"... I would say that it didn't work and you have tobe consistant... Why wouldn't John Henry and Theo sit down and try to bury the hatchett and turn this thing around... I just think there is enough blame to go around... I do not want Manny to go...

continued from previous post
As I was saying, the thing that worries me about Manny is hamstring problems. He's been having leg issues for several seasons and it seems to be getting worse. Even so, he's still productive and hasn't missed that many games. At this point, I say keep Manny this year and replace him with trades and/or free agent(s) and fix the other holes at the same time, later. I think the sox pitching is fine, but I'd like to see them pick up a catcher to ease the load on Varitek and upgrade at shortstop, now. It is troublesome that they can't beat LA or TB (on the road at least). More later.

I'm assuming no trade will be made by 4 p.m. today to dump Manny.

And I fear that that will be disasterous to the morale of the team -stuck with 20M/year player that they may be better off benching than playing.

The Sox seem to have a greater chance of achieving their slim post season hopes with Manny not in the line up, or even at the ball park, and with some one else in their system playing left field.

The Red Sox should be ashamed. To let Manny go would be tantamount to biting off your nose to spite your face. He's one of the greatest hitters of all time and half of one of the most feared duos in baseball.This is not about winning baseball games. If it were, the Sox would be right out there saying he's our left fielder, etc.
It's about Front Office egos who have allowed media who need to sell papers or attract listeners to call the shots. Theo doesn't surprise me. John Henry does. Francona does. Jerry Remy, President of ALL of Red Sox Nation does. Peter Gammon does.. his friendship with Theo is really showing on this one. Shame , shame, shame.
I don't blame Manny for being angry ..he's been called a liar and somehow every year the Sox allow him to be discussed in public without taking his back. Tell me who works harder? Who has played in more games this year? One player, Dustin Pedroia. Who has the attitude we want to instill in our kids? Go out and give your best, if you don't succeed, don't let it eat you up. Forget it and go out and do your best tomorrow.
Unfortunately this year, I think Manny wanted to have a really great year because he wanted to stay in Boston. He had a slump that weighed on him - maybe for the first time - and that led to a couple of unfortunate and " unMannylike" problems.
What does the Sox organization do? With all the resources available to them? When they have a superstar obviously struggling, do they even have a spanish-speaking spokesperson/representative? Manny is a proud man and he loves to play baseball. Just remember his face the other night on the field with that big grin. If the Red Sox cannot find common ground with Manny they have no personnel expertise, whatsoever. Take a lesson Sox players.I think there is at least one troublemaking whiner in the clubhouse who complains and grouses about everything.. Get rid of him.
Those of you who've been around awhile might remember how Ted Williams was hated by the media here AND many of the fans for "dogging" it around the bases, missing fly balls and then not going after them and saying he'd rather be a fireman when he got booed. He spit on reporters, gave the finger to fans etc. The criticisms were similar and worse. Teddy said he'd never tip his cap again to the fans ffor the treatment he received and he hated the press. BUT Tom Yawkey had his back. He understood what he was going through.
When Daisuke was brought over, the Sox brought and bought many additional aids to help him feel comfortable -from translators to physical therapists. Very appropriate.
All I'm saying, is treat Manny like the valuable man he is. He doesn't want to be babied. If you want to win ball games, make the effort to get to know him, who he really is and stop making him the goat.
I have been a fan since the 50's and nothing has disturbed me more than this. There are some things you learn as you get older and one of them is that you need to take a breath and take your ego out of situation. Theo hasn't learned this yet. He may be intelligent but he's not very smart. Neither is the Sox organization if they don't repair this and let him get away.

One of the best right-hand bats to ever come through here and part of the best 1-2 power punch in the game right now. That being said, he has to go. Despite his talent with the bat, the team has had to put up with his act the last eight seasons. Quirks like high-fiving fans before throwing out a baserunner and peeing in the Wall during pitching changes are one thing, but not hustling in the field or on the basepaths, shutting himself down late in the season (this happened in '01 and '06) and coming up with mystery injuries before key games is another. Shoving Jack McCormick to the ground because he wasn't able to fill a last-minute request for 15 tickets to a sold-out game should have been the last straw but now the past month has become a soap opera. God knows what other BS has gone on in the clubhouse with him that was handled internally and never saw the light of day.

Sounds like Robbie L., who called Sox fans "idiots" in cmnt. 75, is a guy who doesn't know Jack about baseball or teams or the business side of sports. And he goes and throws Wake under the bus, a player who really gives us our money's worth? Get outta here, Dumbo.

Last night after Manny's last at bat, a fly out, on his way back to the dugout, he raised up both fists for a fist-bump from J.D. Drew, but J.D. just turned his head and looked the other way ignoring him. That tells you everything, or at least it should.

Manny may have Borderline Personality disorder: the whole problem here is that he had too many enablers right from the start, and the enabling began right at the top of the organization.

I think he's always been a cancer. I would have got rid of him years ago.

Sorry, just dont agree with most here.

Manny is not as dumb as he appears. He wants to be let go so he can get out of the 1 year options and sign a 4 to 5 yr deal on the market for 25mil a year. He's saying this on purpose to get let go. Let him go and he wins. I couldnt care less if he hurt the Redsox brass's feelings. Suck it up, its a business.

I say let the season play out (or trade him for something good but I cant imagine what that would be right now). After the season, you pick up the one year option and take another .300BA with 33hr next year. He actually seems well liked by the players. The Youk think was Youks fault.

And about the injuries. He's a big old guy. Big guys get hurt more. Old guys get hurt more. Beloved Ortiz has been out a lot more than Manny and noone squaks at all b/c of the personality difference. Anyone that gets hurt with a good personality and its never a problem, bad personnality and they're faking it. Injuries happen.

There is NO WAY the Sox will pick-up Manny's option for next year after what has happened (he would do the same thing next year). Hence, if Manny has half a brain, he would now say, "Sorry, I'm staying for the rest of the year", then play his heart out, and then sign somewhere else. Of course, anyone who takes him will not do it w/o a contract that is heavily performance based.

The Red Sox should be ashamed. To let Manny go would be tantamount to biting off your nose to spite your face. He's one of the greatest hitters of all time and half of one of the most feared duos in baseball.This is not about winning baseball games. If it were, the Sox would be right out there saying he's our left fielder, etc.
It's about Front Office egos who have allowed media who need to sell papers or attract listeners to call the shots. Theo doesn't surprise me. John Henry does. Francona does.Jerry Remy, President of ALL of Red Sox Nation does. Peter Gammon does.. his friendship with Theo is really showing on this one. Shame , shame, shame.
I don't blame Manny for being angry ..he's been called a liar and somehow every year the Sox allow him to be discussed in public without taking his back. Tell me who works harder? Who has played in more games this year? One player, Dustin Pedroia. Who has the attitude we want to instill in our kids? Go out and give your best, if you don't succeed, don't let it eat you up. Forget it and go out and do your best tomorrow.
Unfortunately this year, I think Manny wanted to have a really great year because he wanted to stay in Boston. He had a slump that weighed on him - maybe for the first time - and that led to a couple of unfortunate and " unMannylike" problems.
What does the Sox organization do? With all the resources available to them? When they have a superstar obviously struggling, do they even have a spanish-speaking spokesperson/representative? Manny is a proud man and he loves to play baseball. Just remember his face the other night on the field with that big grin. If the Red Sox cannot find common ground with Manny they have no personnel expertise, whatsoever. Take a lesson Sox players.I think there are at least two troublemaking whiners in the clubhouse who complain and grouse about everything.. Get rid of them.
Those of you who've been around awhile might remember how Ted Williams was hated by the media here AND many of the fans for "dogging" it around the bases, missing fly balls and then not going after them and saying he'd rather be a fireman when he got booed. He spit on reporters, gave the finger to fans etc. The criticisms were similar and worse. Teddy said he'd never tip his cap again to the fans ffor the treatment he received and he hated the press. BUT Tom Yawkey had his back. He understood what he was going through.
When Daisuke was brought over, the Sox brought and bought many additional aids to help him feel comfortable -from translators to physical therapists. Very appropriate.
All I'm saying, is treat Manny like the valuable man he is. He doesn't want to be babied. If you want to win ball games, make the effort to get to know him, who he really is and stop making him the goat.
I have been a fan since the 50's and nothing has disturbed me more than this. There are some things you learn as you get older and one of them is that you need to take a breath and take your ego out of situation. Theo hasn't learned this yet. He may be intelligent but he's not very smart. Neither is the Sox organization if they don't repair this and let him get away

For someone who is making $20M a year, I expect him to hustle on every play. Francona has treated him with kid gloves and does everything but kiss his posterior. When Red Sox management did not suspend Manny for the incident in Houston, I lost a lot of respect for the organization. MANNY cares about nothing but MANNY!

For those who say Manny is one of the best pure hitters of all time, I guess they never saw Ted Williams hit. Pure hitters have a lifetime batting average of .330 or better.

It's 1:55PM, I am sitting at the computer looking for any news....none! A little over two hours to go. Maybe before I finish typing. If he goes, then so be it, I hope in July around 2016 when he is a first ballot inductee @ Cooperstown, he will go in as a Red Sox. But this team is a mess, with or without him. No hitting, and as evidenced in the last two weeks, no pitching. Bay or no Bay, this team is not going anywhere, not even make the wild card. So let the moaning begin, let the 37,000+ per game show up and hope for a repectable finish. It's 2:04PM, no word yet.

Sorry about the double posting...kept getting error messages re: Internal Server that timed out while trying to post to different forum. Maybe because of so much traffic.?
I hope no additional copies show up. Sheesh!

1. patti0127 the Yankees are ALWAYS interested if/when the Sox lose one of their guys
2. It's too bad the Sox didn't trade Youkilis and Hansen for Mr. T, who could have been a great addition to the batting order (number 4?)-the Angels have him now
3. Nomar was a cancer both in the clubhouse and the dugout - I'm a Sox fan, but I remember how Jeter went over backwards for the ball...
4. Pedro's behavior was unacceptable
5 I don't think the trade will happen, but if it does, there will be one less horrendous distraction for the team to deal with
6. #82 Nate I don't think your comments are stupid

I wonder if the other players will vote him a share if they turn it around and win another title?

Just kidding.

Agreed. Love what you've done for us, Manny, but you've worn out your welcome.

And for the rest of you, remember 2004. I gave up on the team in mid-July when they couldn't seem to buy a win. (Still my team, but they sure ain't playing like champions) Then the Nomar trade, and a great August run. Then down 0-3 to the Yanks, and you know the rest.

Hope the deal happens, then we can start playin again. The season ain't over 'till it's over

Why is it Pittsburgh will just give away Marte and Nady to the Yankees for next to nothing and hold the Red Sox feet to the fire? Cashman must be blackmailing other GMS...there is no other explanation.

Jason Bay looks like he's on his way to the Tampa Bay Rays

get rid of your yankee killer that makes sense .as much as people hate to admit it we need him in the line up protecting papi because when it counts he produces as a long redsox fan iam tired of seeing our superstars leave .the way they go about their business will be getting rid of papi in a couple of years

NO MAN IS BIGGER THAN THE GAME OF BASEBALL-AND AS I SANG TO MY EX-HUSBAND AND THE LAKERS AND NOW TO MANNY
NANANANA- NANANNANA- HEY HEY HEY GOOOODBYE!
I WILL ALWAYS LOVE MY SOX //MANNY OR NO MANNY
GROW UP SON

enjoy Jason Bay in the playoffs. I bet Manny's nonsense will seem a little more tolerable then.

This trade calls for shots of Patron all around??? Anyone ? Anyone? Sad day.

Chad, you're the best.

This is the end of an 'era' - the "Manny Ramirez Era' in Sox history.

But it's for the best - seeing Manny so unhappy was heartbreaking, and it's time this team sees what it can be without him.

Time will heal all wounds..,..and the Sox will be ok.

This trade calls for shots of Patron all around??? Anyone ? Anyone? Sad day.

This trade might just come back to haunt the Red Sox sooner rather than later. And I guess that this will also toll the bell for Andruw Jones, who has been downright atrocious for the Dodgers. In fact this move just might have several ramifications for all three teams.

But I'd like to know just one thing. Why is an individual player's relationship with his club everybody's business? You would think that Manny had stolen money from we common folk's bank accounts, or the US treasury. Folks get a grip for once.

I was voting for the Red Sox to pull an Eagles/T.O. manuever and just bench the big baby. Instead we lose Brandon Moss and Craig Hansen because Manny wants his way and he wants it now. It's fine when he's acting like a little kid out in the field, doing his wacky little "Manny being Manny" stuff, but when it comes to responsibiity, he has no clue. I hope he's been saving all his money and never has to get a real job!

As always, Chad, you're spot on.

Remember all those times when Manny would just smile at the writers (Gordon Edes for one) and would not respond when asked for quotes, etc. He seemed happy this year, and began opening up to the press (clearly a mistake) in his second language. How would your interview in Spanish be Dan?

It seems to me that the press is a major problem in Boston (including yourself). You strive and thrive on controversy, and try to generate it at every opportunity. Then you get all incensed when a situation blows up.
If there were no press in Boston, the Red Sox would probably win their third series in four years, and Manny would have a great year. With you all trying to outdo each other, now we won't even make the playoffs. Hope you are happy, because you generated a fair amount of the problem.

Manny works harder than anyone at hitting. There have been many stories of him being the first in the clubhouse and practicing the skills that make him an even greater hitter. He always has come through in the playoffs and certainly against the Yankees. You seem never to be satisfied, and those of you who want Manny to be a charm school graduate should appreciate him as one of the great hitters of all time and grow up.

Essentially, Manny just wanted to be wanted. I don't think he really cares about money (how about all those stories about the un-cashed checks?). He just wanted respect. He doesn't function well in the world were management will never give you a hint about where you stand and where you will be the next year. It may be a good corporate strategy to keep players in the dark, but it obviously doesn't work from a human point of view.

Oh well, he's gone..... and the Boston Press is still here. If only we could trade Boston's press sharks for some of the writers from smaller markets.

Chad, thanks for the best Sox blog out there. Manny did go over the line this year - no doubt. The McCormick thing was inexcusable - the rest was pretty minor. That said, the Sox front office has gotten a free pass. They've set Manny up for years, and he has taken the bait. Let's not forget that they put together the league's worst bullpen in 05, while Manny and Papi were twin MVPs; and their pitching staff's worst-in-the-majors 9-21, 5.81 ERA in August 06 put the Sox 8 games behind the Yankees - not Manny's 1.1 OPS, nor his dubious "quitting." It is very sad to see him go. Jason Bay is no Manny, but he's very good. And for Manny, all is forgiven - nothing but peace and best wishes. He brought Boston 2 titles, and he will never be forgotten. LA will love him.

Sorry, Steve, but you can't lump in all the media to blame here. Save the venom for the Callahans. Anyone who's been reading this blog for a while knows how much I've adored Manny over the years, but in recent days it became impossible to defend him. He is no longer a member of the Red Sox because he did everything in his power to get traded. Go read Gammons's column today, then get back to me. Oh, right - it's his fault, too.

It'll be interesting to see how many teams will be willing to come up with $100 million over 4 years for a player that no one was willing to trade for unless the Sox paid his salary and threw in a couple of prospects. (and is 36 years old as well)
Seems to me that the Sox did a pretty admirable job getting an all star in Bay despite the whole world knowing that they felt that they absolutely had to make a deal.

This is the Post I will leave in every Manny blog or thread this weekend----

Why doesn't ANY baseball "pundit" or reporter just say it like it is???---Manny dumped Jeff Moorad as his agent for Satan Boras, and as soon as Boras realized there was TWO years of club options he'd never see a dime of, because he didn't negotiate them, all this nonsense started---RIGHT AFTER THE SOX WERE IN ANAHEIM---Boras' Home base, where he has season tickets right behind the ump's butt. Boras told him to act out of his deal and that way Boras didn't have to sit through two years of no Manny cash, which we all know he couldn't stomach. It would be nice to call it "Manny being Money", but this is a guy who has handful of UNCASHED Sox paychecks in the glove boxes of his vehicles. This was and IS all about Boras, who Bud Selig should have invoked the "Best Interest of Baseball" clause on years ago and gotten rid of his pernicious influence in the game. Let him sue the MLB, and tie him up in litigation so long his grandkids have to pay the lawyer bills---he's scum!

Oh,and in addition, all these Manny shenanigans kept Theo from addressing anything else we may have needed to before the deadline---another reason to MF Boras until he dies and immediately tries to get a better deal for Hitler for a better level in Hell from satan.

FROM JMT IN 123: Sounds like Robbie L., who called Sox fans "idiots" in cmnt. 75, is a guy who doesn't know Jack about baseball or teams or the business side of sports. And he goes and throws Wake under the bus, a player who really gives us our money's worth? Get outta here, Dumbo.

JMT, you are the dumbo, if you read my post correctly, I'm saying people like YOU WOULD THROW HIM UNDER A BUS...I RESPECT WAKEFIELD AND DON'T LIKE THAT HE DOESN'T HAVE A LONG-TERM CONTRACT WITH THE TEAM.
"Instead, we have Wakefield still getting these ridiculous 1-year contracts. And that's a guy who is a model citizen and model teammate, and terrific pitcher--but you clown fans throw him under the bus after every bad start.....Idiots."

Manny Ramirez is not a cancer, he helped the team win 2 WS and he changed the landscape of the AL by being a 1-2 punch with Ortiz. Every AL team is laughing at how Theo has weakened an already top heavy Sox lineup. This team cannot compete in 08 with the current offense and the deal was sealed with this lopsided trade.

I did read Gammons' column, Chad, and I lost a lot of respect for him for it. I don't know if you noticed, but he attempts to make Manny look worse than the steroid monkeys of '80-'05. He specifically draws that parallel (using assumptions that are less than stable, such as "oh, Manny's lying about being hurt"--by the way, I asked a doctor friend I know, and she told me that tendinitis doesn't show up on an MRI in a hinge joint; there's just nothing for the MRI to pick up that'd look out of place). What Gammons wrote today was another hit piece, and I think it's well beyond "opinion journalism" and into the cretinous territory of a front office mouthpiece. And that makes me sad, because I thought Gammons was one of the good ones.

Manny's been playing on bad hamstrings all year because Ortiz has been out. (He's also played more games this year than A-Rod, who Gammons, in the hit piece before today's, used as an example of the good anti-Manny. Ain't that interesting?)

Manny made this trade necessary, but the RSFO, and their mouthpiece in Gammons, did everything they could to sully his name. Just like Pedro. Just like Nomar. Just like Derek Lowe (although, to be fair, in that case it was justified; dude ain't still married to Trinka for a reason).

Come on, Chad. You're seriously just going to check off what Gammons wrote as A-OK? From your reputation and from what I've read of your blog since pretty early days, I got the impression that you'd be better than that.

Manny got played by Scott Boras, If the Sox had resigned him, then Boras would have gotten no money. By trading Manny, Boras gets paid. I would not put it past Boras ( the guy who engineered the whole A-rod world series fiasco) to get Manny riled up enough to act the way he did. Boras is the real cancer in Baseball.

The reasonable discussions on the SOSH message boards since the trade have, in my mind, highlighted the ignorance of some of the above posts.

The Red Sox won't make the playoffs this year without Manny? Really? Here's a clue Steve: they wouldn't have made the playoffs this year WITH Manny--even if he decided that he was going to play the rest of the year. Don't be so shortsighted--forget about the potential impact over the next two or three months, because NO ONE (not even Manny) knows whether keeping him through the end of the season would have been a plus or a HUGE NEGATIVE for the team the rest of the year. Next year Manny was gone--and we would have received nothing for him (as I understand it, we wouldn't have received compensatory picks if we declined his options and let him walk).

With this trade, at least the Sox were able to leverage Hansen and Moss for Bay, which is a lopsided trade (in favor of the Red Sox) if you ask me.

yeah, ed, now that you mention it, that steroids thing in gammons's column was ridiculous. but i think there's a lot of truth in what he writes about just how divisive manny had become, and that was the point I was trying to make.

Bye bye Manny. DOn't let the door hit you int he ass on the way OUT.

I'm happy for Tito, and kinda feel bad for Torre. He has NO idea what he's in for, once the "honeymoon" ends.

Manny was a waste. I'm sorry - I don't care HOW good you are: if you're making $20 million a year to play, PLAY. Shut your mouth and do your job. Like the rest of us who REALLY work for a living do. I'm sick of these primadonna multi-millionaires whining because they have to go out and play a game for 3 hours, 5 months out of the year.

Bye Manny. I know I won't miss you, and if the news repoprts I'm hearing are true, your former teammates won't be missing you, either... which is the most telling part of all this.

Enablers, remove your lips from Manny's ass and back away. A whole new world will come into view.

The FO has executed on their plan to be in the mix every year, sentiment be damned.
Pedro? Nomar? No Manny option?
Excellent baseball decisions all.

If I want to see clowns, I'll go to the circus and I respect dogs too much to compare them to Manny.

btw, ML players don't get checks - direct deposit all the way.

Manny's antics have been mostly harmless you say.
Like asking out of that game in Philly when he knew Trot was hurt and the Sox needed him. Like asking out of all those Yankees games (Enrigue Wilson). Like slapping Kevin Youkilis and pushing Jack McCormick. Like showing up to spring training late every freaking year. Like making it all about him (all those freaking signs he holds up -- look at me, look at me, I'm just Manny being Manny -- it's was all about him and never about his teammates). Like taking 5.7 seconds to run to first base. Like never, ever, running hard to second base to try to break up a double play. Like standing there with the bat on his shoulder, not even trying to foul off -- if you are fouled, you at least try to foul the ball off -- in the ninth inning against Mariano Rivera (I gave Manny the benefit of the doubt on that one, but after watching him the last week, I think he was throwing that at bat. The Sox asked him to pinch hit, he was pissed off at that, so he said, you won't give me the day off, you won't give me what I want, then F you. I'll show you).
Manny's been an idiot for years, actually for all 8 years he played here. His production was a times out of this world, but for him to be talked about in the same breath as Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols is downright laughable. He's had three monster years with the Sox, five pretty good years and two down right medicore seasons (the last two). Right now, he is Jason Bay in terms of production and he has been for two years. So I'll take Jason Bay, who will probably show up for work every day, run out every ground ball and never bitch slap any of his teammates.
Manny tore this team apart the last two weeks. I'd really wish I could have been around this team to see there reaction when he was traded. I have no way of knowing this, but I bet the majority of them said good riddance.

"They're such a mess at the moment, I keep waiting for Joe Kerrigan to pop out of the dugout to remove Frank Castillo from the game".

Hilarious!

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye!

Ed...

I am an Ortho surgeon in ME. I also happen to be a HUGE Sox fan.

What your friend told you was wrong....tendinitis in a "hinge" joint as you call it is very visible on an MRI. The contrasting tissues makes it clear. A trained doc or resident would pick it up immediately. You can rest assured that if the docs (not the team) said there was no issue, there was not an issue.

Now, on to the trade....not good....but, there was no choice. We are not getting Bay for Manny. We are getting Bay for just shy of half a season of Manny. (unless options were picked up, which will always be debated).

Giving up Moss (who i loved watching in Portland) and Hansen (who can still be very good in my opinion) is what worries me most.

>> What your friend told you was wrong....tendinitis in a "hinge" joint as you call it is very visible on an MRI.

After doing a little more research, it seems you're right. Mea culpa.

>> yeah, ed, now that you mention it, that steroids thing in gammons's column was ridiculous. but i think there's a lot of truth in what he writes about just how divisive manny had become, and that was the point I was trying to make.

Manny's divisiveness, sure. But that's not why I've lost respect for Peter Gammons. It's because he's trying to make Manny out to be a villain *in the past*. I hate to use a 1984 reference, because it's always a stretch, but Gammons seems hell-bent on trying to make Manny into this team's Emmanuel Goldstein. I can't respect a guy who does that to somebody who won his team two championships. I just can't.

Why does it always come to this with great Boston players? And why is Boston once again the whitest team in baseball. And who are all these "veteran" players too chicken to go on the record. Maybe some realize without manny they maybe don't beat the angels last year or the Indians.They certainly wont win th

marc, I am a huge Manny fan. These guys know that Manny was a huge part of last year. And 2004. But at this point, he became intolerable. And while the RSFO played the public opinion games, too, the blood was just too bad. They *had* to move him.

As for "the whitest team in baseball"--I don't care what color a player is so long as he produces and doesn't cause clubhouse drama. Manny wasn't doing that. Bay, it seems, will.

His agent, Scott Boras, offered the following comment on Manny's departure:

"In Boston, the fans, the organization, and the teammates were never an issue," Boras said. "He preferred another city along the lines of the lifestyle he had in Cleveland."

???? That's why he's in LA? To replicate life in CLEVELAND? Boras being Boras...

I'm from Pittsburgh, and worked for the Pirates throughout the Barry Bonds era. Our publicity people spent half their time covering up for Barry's boorish behavior, and his teamates, coaches, the security guards, and every other person who had contact with Barry detested him. The differences are when Barry left Pittsburgh we got nothing in return, and he still had many years of productivity left. You got a very good all round player who is a class guy, and Manny is on the downside of his career. Defense and baserunning win games too, you know. Beat the Yankees!

Just a few thoughts from a Red Sox devotee from the wrong side of The Pond:

Sad to see Manny go, sadder still to know it was unavoidable. Too many times we see overpaid superstars in professional sports behaving like spoiled kids, but its all too common (UK Premier League soccer anyone ?). You can't have somebody who behaves like Manny on your team unless you're either going to control him or throw him out - there will be no problem with that where he's going. Far too many times we've sat in Fenway before a game wondering which Manny was going to show up tonight.

Please learn from your mistakes Manny: Act your age and get on with your job like the rest of us (who work all year long) have to. They're paying you enough - and they carry your bags as well.

At least its warm and sunny where you are.