Manny Ramirez has crossed some invisible line.  He'll always have his fans, his detractors and some wafflers (like myself), but I think we can start counting down the days until Manny in Boston is no more.  In an interview with WBZ-TV's Dan Roche, Peter Gammons was open and honest in talking about Manny.  And I think it's safe to say that we can add Mr. Gammon's name to the list of people who are fed-up with Manny's antics.  And when Peter Gammons doesn't like you, you must be doing something horribly, horribly, terrifyingly wrong.

The Globe's Extra Bases section has a posting titled, "Manny In The Spotlight" with this excerpt from Gammon's interview (emphasis in bold is my doing):

ESPN's Peter Gammons sat down with WBZ-TV's Dan Roche in a segment that ran on Sports Final last night and said that Manny has a fantasy of getting a new contract for four years worth $100 million. Gammons also implied that Manny was taking a seat against some harder throwing righthanders this season.

“I don't think there's any question it's a distraction and it's not a humorous distraction because Scott Boras put it very well, 'for $160 million for eight years, there is an obligation to perform for the team,' and Manny doesn't seem to understand he has an obligation to the Red Sox," Gammons said. "He only sees an obligation to himself and for the first time other than 2006 when they were out of it, I think it's really come to a head here and I have no idea how it's going to resolve itself because he'll be very happy to walk away; not care less about whether the Red Sox win another game and try and go out on the market this winter and get his fantasy of $100 million for four years, which I don't think is possible. ... I don't think the Red Sox will get anything back [in a trade]... I don't see it happening...

"I find it a little different this time around. I don't sense that this rallying of 'poor Manny' [in the clubhouse]. There's a sense that... they're trying to fight for their lives, they've had a lot of guys hurt, they're out on the road... 'let's see, I'm not going to play the two games this season against [Mariners pitcher Felix] Hernandez. He didn't play the two games against [Yankees pitcher Joba] Chamberlain. He didn't play against [Reds pitcher Edinson] Voquez. He didn't play against [Tigers pitcher Justin] Verlander. I think other teammates look at that and say 'Oh, he doesn't want to play against the hard throwers,' take the day... I think that's also worn people out. ...

"Apparently $168 million isn't enough. I know there's been frustration on ownership's part in the past. I think the frustration is now anger and I'm not sure it's resolvable."

While people will always stickup for Manny, it's getting harder and harder to defend the guy.  We had some great memories with him out in left; won a couple rings, had some laughs, cringed a few times, but mostly played the role of apologist.  He's still a top-tier hitter who's going to bring some joy to some city, but come next season, it won't be for Boston.