Being the huge Red Sox fan that I am, I just had to put in my two cents on the Manny deal.
I know most of you are probably thinking, here she goes talking about baseball again, but this is HUGE. It has been the main story in Boston as well all on all the blogs, radio stations, and TV stations that talk about sports.
The questions you probably have if you are not a baseball fan are, “Who are you talking about?” “What are you talking about?” and “So what. “Why is this such big news?”
The “who” would be Manny, Manny being Manny, Manny Ramirez, Manuel Aristides Ramirez, he goes by many names.
The “what” would be that today the Red Sox have traded Manny to the L.A. Dodgers. It went right down to the wire. So, all you fans of the boys in blue are getting a fantastic player.
I am sure many of you are still saying, “So what. “Why is this such big news?” Well, Manny Ramirez is probably one of the most talented hitters playing baseball today. He was an integral part of both of Red Sox World Series wins. He was the MVP during the 2004 World Series. As of today, he has hit 510 home runs. Only 22 players in history have hit more home runs than Manny has. You would think that we (the Red Sox) would be crazy to give up such a talented player.
Well, when push came to shove, the Red Sox really did not have much of a choice. Manny started pulling his antics once again. I have lost count on how many times he has stopped playing and has demanded to be traded, and this is a guy that has been playing with an eight-year, $160 million contract.
This time, though as many have said, it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. We have been playing like crap since the All Star Break. It is apparent that this “problem” has been a major distraction in the Red Sox clubhouse. Even the fans, those who have always stuck up for Manny, started to boo him this week.
Yesterday, Manny continued to sound off, egging the Red Sox on to trade him. Here is what he had to say:
“The Red Sox don’t deserve a player like me,” Ramirez said. “During my years here I’ve seen how they [the Red Sox] have mistreated other great players when they didn’t want them to try to turn the fans against them.
“The Red Sox did the same with guys like Nomar Garciaparra and Pedro Martinez, and now they do the same with me. Their goal is to paint me as the bad guy. I love Boston fans, but the Red Sox don’t deserve me. I’m not talking about money. Mental peace has no price and I don’t have peace here.”
And my thought on all of this…it is all about the money. Greedy Scott Boras, an agent who is disliked by baseball fans from both American League and National teams alike, the person who last year just had to announce that Alex Rodriguez was going to opt-out of his ten-year contract and become a free agent IN THE MIIDDLE of the final game of the World Series, is Manny’s agent. Bottom line, if the Red Sox pick up Manny’s option for another year (which is a clause in his current contract), Boras gets nada, niente, nothing. But if Manny puts up such a big stink and his option is not picked up, Manny will be a free agent and I am sure Boras has promised Manny millions. Now I am not holding Manny blameless in all of this. I believe he is also seeing the dollar signs.
Manny has been one of my favorite hitters. I always defended him and put up with all the crap he pulled because when he was motivated, he was great. I just loved to watch him when he was up at bat. He is an extremely talented player and he was a Red Sox player. But after hearing his statement, “The Red Sox don’t deserve a player like me.”, I knew that the Red Sox would do everything possible to trade him. Because if Manny wasn’t traded, he was probably going to shut down once again and that would mean our season would be over.
I think the Dodgers came out on the better end of this deal, but we didn’t do bad ourselves. Jason Bay, by the way who is from Canada (a little tidbit for all you Canadian fans) is supposed to put up similar numbers (also hit well) and is a good outfielder. It should be interesting to see what happens.
I am sad to see Manny go, but I am also glad that the drama is over and we can now get back to playing some serious baseball. GO SOX!!!
Arrivederci Manny…Aloha Manny. I wish you all the best.
I have just one request… please stay in the National League next year.
shave ice & gelato 
Sounds like it was definitely time for him to go. Prima donna athletes drive me crazy!
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Hi Girasoli, wow! That’s really big news. I didn’t know all the background history that lead up to Manny’s trade. I think he is an excellent hitter too.
Dodgers haven’t done well in many years, so maybe he’ll be happy here and bring some of that great hitting to LA as the boys in blue have not done well in the last several years!
I’ll still cheer for your Red Sox . . . .
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Bravo, G! Well said…We will certainly miss his bat and his antics … arriverderci ..
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I agree Annie, especially when they are making an insane amount of money. I guess I just kept having hope that he would get his act together.
Kathy, I hear that he is big news there out in LA now. Do you follow the Dodgers at all?
menehune, it has been interesting reading the blogs and all the different opinions. I can just imagine what it is like back in Boston right now.
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Wow — talk about drama!! It’s a shame, but as you say — the bottom line is, it’s pretty much always about the money.
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Yes, even more now, it is pretty apparent it was all about the money. However, all is happy in Red Sox land once again. Our acquisition from the trade, Jason Bay, scored both of the runs last night in our 2-0 win, hitting a triple in the 12th (which he busted his butt running to the bases to get) and today he hit a 3 run home run to contribute to our 12-2 win. The Red Sox team has karma once again and is a happy family. Manny is out in Dodger land and so far is running hard to first and has hit his first home run tonight. I think the trade was a good thing for all (and I know Yankee fans are pretty happy Manny is no longer a Red Sox player).
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Hey, just wanted to let you know that “60 Minutes” did a good story tonight about the Red Sox and that stats guy they hired, Bill James. Very interesting…..I’m thinking that you if you get this email, you might be able to see it since we are in different time zones.
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Thanks Annie! I will make sure to watch it :)
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G: Hope you had a chance to see the 60 Minutes mentioned above.
Over the past few years, the trades of Johnny Damon and my fav, Pedro Martinez, was surprising to most fans at the time but in retrospect – brilliant. And, if you believe the 60 Minutes piece and what is known about the current Bosox owners (all believers in the truth of statistics), watch our new outfielder/Manny’s replacement, Jason Bay, who is already making a ‘splash’ in Boston! Waiting to see how Manny’s absence affects David Ortiz, both as a friend and in the lineup.
Enjoy a glorious day in Hawaii for me:)
M
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Girasoli, I couldn’t wait to get on-line this morning to see what you had to say about the trade; I think you nailed it.
And yes, as a Yankee fan, I’m glad to see him go! :D
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Menehune, yes I did get to see the 60 minutes show (thanks again so much Annie!!). As someone who loved math in school, I thought it was quite interesting. I did hear back when Damon and Pedro were not picked up again that this was one of the reasons. It makes you wonder though why we traded Arroyo.
Kim :-) I laughed when I read your comment! Yes, I heard there were quite a few champagne corks popping in New York. I think I am even more torn now, aggravated that he is busting his butt and not posing after hitting home runs and how he actually got away with NOT trying when getting paid millions and pretty much admitted that his actions IF the reports that he agreed to “be a good boy” the rest of the season are true an hour after the trade was made, but still, even to see him hit a home run in a Dodger uniform, he still has that amazing swing.
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Hi! I found your thru Leslie’s blog, Kaleidoscope. I actually came because I love Italy!!! But then saw your profile and started reading. Speaking as a fellow BoSox fan who also happens to be from Massachusetts, I thought I’d put my 2 cents in, but you’ve covered it so well that there’s nothing to add!
Adios, Manny! I sure hope Papi doesn’t leave now. :sigh:
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G – “It makes you wonder though why we traded Arroyo.”
Arroyo was giving Theo a ‘run for his money’ with playing the guitar ….. M
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I have to say, I never thought one of my baseball posts would have so much interest, especially on basically a travel blog.
WillThink4Wine, welcome and thanks for your comments!! Glad you approve and agree with my view of the situation. So far so good with the Red Sox so we shall see. I’m thinking at this point that the line up should be Pedroia, ? not sure for 2nd, Papi, Youk, Jason Bay, Mike Lowell, Drew, and then whoever else is playing since the rest seem to rotate. Can’t decide though for number 2.
menehune :) funny! I could never figure that one out either.
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Hi Girasoli, I don’t really follow the boys in blue here in LA ever since Lasorda retired. But when I have gone to see games at Dodger stadium I do enjoy the game.
I especially like watching the games when it’s the playoffs, especially when there is some kind of team rilvary going on. Adds to the drama! :)
But reading your excitement about your team is making me a fan of the Red Sox! Just like Annie’s Tar Heels!
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