Entries from July 1, 2008 - August 1, 2008
Home Video Of Manny Leaving For Good
Friday, August 1, 2008 at 02:39PM Scott (CEO) Here's a video of Manny and his boys packing up his SUV yesterday at Fenway. He also leaves about a dozen of his bats in the parking lot that were in the back of his SUV, presumably because they say Boston Red Sox on them. Also, Rob Bradford just reported on WEEI that Manny is taking the team barber with him to LA. I'm not sure why since Manny hasn't had a haircut in 4 years!
The Unseen Manny Being Manny ESPN Spot
Friday, August 1, 2008 at 02:15PM Scott (CEO) Here is the This is Sportscenter commercial Manny filmed months ago that ESPN will now not air because of the trade. Enjoy!
Thanks to reader Sox1918 for the video.
My 2 Cents On Manny
Friday, August 1, 2008 at 09:12AM Aaron Gettings I received a text from my buddy Ahad not long after the trade was announced. It simply stated, "Ramirez?". My reply: "Good Riddance".
The hardest part of this saga to swallow isn't that we had to give up so much to give away a future Hall of Fame slugger still in the tail-end of his prime (for free, mind you), but how quickly everything erupted. Within one month Manny went from fan-favorite, just Manny Being Manny, to a senior citizen abuser (which we overlooked), to the scourge of the Earth and the biggest problem in our already-riddled-with-problems lives.
Curt Schilling was on WEEI's Dennis and Callahan show yesterday morning and was running his mouth about the situation (as he is wont to do). During the segment he shared some insight into Manny's mindset:
"The hard part for me was this [situation with Manny] derailed into a train wreck so quick, so fast, and so oddly. You had the Buddah Zen Master guy in spring training, reading and 'life is good, don't worry be happy' and it just looked like he was poised to have a monster season. Physically he worked his butt off...
"We had a conversation a little while back, talking about what he should do and how things are gonna go and there's just really not a reason from a business standpoint for the Red Sox to do anything right now... Why would they? Given your age and the contract situations. Why would they not just kind of wait and see how things played out. I think there was, maybe there's some feeling on his part that if he did what he did last winter and he came out and had a monster first couple of months that they'd sit down and say 'OK we want to keep you here the next four years, let's get something done,' and it felt like to me that the second he realized that that was not an option, this just went straight downhill."
I love me some Jason Bay, and I think he's going to excel in our lineup (and no, he'll never be able to hold a candle to Manny's production), but I can't believe that the market basically dictated that Bay is worth more than Manny. In return for Jason Bay, the Pirates received 3 MLB-Level prospects (plus one more). In return for Manny Ramirez, the Sox received Jason Bay. We were monitoring the trade activity/rumors all day at work (like I assume most people were), constantly refreshing various sports sites. After the trade was finally announced, and the details started rolling in, we kept waiting for another player to be added to the mix... someone else heading to Boston.
We parted with Manny Ramirez (and are paying off his contract), Brandon Moss and Craig Hansen. Surely we were getting more in return than simply Jason Bay, right? We are in desperate need of bullpen help. Surely Theo wasn't going to further put us in a hole by trading away one of our relievers and not bring at least one arm in return, right? I left work, and immediately hopped on the computer when I got home, thinking that the full details would be in and we'd know who else we were receiving. And the details were in... simply Mr. Bay.
This was the result of Manny's media-attack on the organization. He literally held us hostage, and we had no choice but to negotiate with a terrorist. Where he to silently request to be traded, there's no doubt we could've walked away with a much better haul for the slugger. But he didn't do that (of course, where he to go that route, we may not have traded him at all). He attacked our owners and our organization openly and frequently to the press. He kept his bat on his shoulder, held himself out of games, refused to show any semblance of hustle on the field. He sucked the life and focus out of our team and brought the entire city of Boston to a grinding halt.
For that, I will never forgive him. One day, when I'm playing my children games from the '04 playoffs and World Series, I'll speak fondly of Manny, talk about his monster home runs, his clutch at-bats, how beautifully he played the ball off the Monster, and his often humorous adventures in the field. I won't mention the summer of '08, and how he brought the Red Sox to their knees. I won't be able to explain how a man making $20 million dollars didn't feel an obligation to his employers to put forth any effort, other than to say that it's just "Manny Being Manny". My kids don't need to know that that sort of arrogance exists in this world. I'll do my best to shield them from the dark side of Ramirez... but in the back of my mind I'll be cursing him.
We had a different relationship with Manny than with most other athletes (because Manny wasn't like other athletes). And, right now, I just feel betrayed. And it makes me sick. But bring on the Jason Bay era. And another reliever. Please!
Aaron Gettings
Just read an article by The Herald's Gerry Callahan absolutely destroying Manny. Do yourself a favor and read that here.
Some highlights:
Describing how Manny refused to stop and say hello to some children suffering from cancer visiting the Sox during spring training, topped off with this dig: "The tent was no more than 90 feet from the ballpark, which means Ramirez could have been there in 5.7 seconds, even going his usual half-speed."
"Maybe Jason Bay will not be quite the cleanup hitter that Ramirez was... He probably won’t fake a knee injury, or slap a teammate, or throw a 64-year-old man to the ground because he couldn’t make tickets magically appear. He won’t give the manager ulcers or spit in the owners’ eye or treat the paying customers like suckers."
"Ramirez represents the worst of professional sports - a man who is idolized because he has one, God-given physical skill. Some fans who would boo a player for popping up with the bases loaded had no problem cheering Ramirez days after he assaulted Red Sox traveling secretary Jack McCormick, a terrific gentleman who is almost 30 years older than the slugger."
Yeah... good stuff. Apparently, nobody in Boston is up to the task of apologizing for Manny every again... but I wonder why'd he'd sit on all of this until Manny was gone. Seems like it should've been a bigger issue 6 months ago.
Let's Forget Manny & Welcome Jason Bay
Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 07:15PM Scott (CEO) After a lonnnnng day of trade rumors, so long that I couldn't listen anymore that I went to the movies, Manny Ramirez was finally and thankfully dealt at the last minute. Here's the deal.
Red Sox get: Jason Bay from the Pirates
Dodgers get: Manny Ramirez and $7 million from the Red Sox
Pirates get: Craig Hansen, Brandon Moss from the Red Sox and Andy LaRoche and minor leaguer Bryan Morris from the Dodgers.
Did we get screwed? Sure, but it had to be done! And for those that can't (or don't want to) see that, just don't get it and should watch Peter Gammons below.
Now let's move on and look at our new man Jason Bay who actually played two seasons ('99, 2000) for the Chatam A's of the Cape Cod League. and is a very solid player, his stats are very similar to Manny's this year.
Bay's hitting .282 with 22 homers and 64 RBIs & 7SBs this season.
Manny's hitting .299 with 20 homers and 68 RBIs & 1SB this season.
Bay is a two-time All-Star who owns a career .376 on-base percentage and a .282 lifetime batting average. The British Columbia native and Gonzaga graduate was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2004, when he hit .282 with 26 homers and 82 RBIs. In 2005, he hit .306 with 32 homers, 101 RBIs and stole 21 bases. In 2006, he established career-highs in homers (35) and RBI (109). Last year, he again led the struggling Pirates in homers (21) and RBIs (84). Bay has one year left on a four-year, $18.25-million deal he signed in 2005. He is due $5.75 million this year and $7.5 million in 2009.
Here's Baseball guru Peter Gammons on the deal.
Manny Ramirez Set to Stay?
Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 02:57PM T.J. Donegan Well, about 60 minutes before the trading window slams shut and according to multiple sources (FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, ESPN's Peter Gammons and Jayson Stark) Manny is all out of potential suitors. The Mets and Phillies, predictably, didn't want to part with any pieces to try and bring in the mercurial slugger and the Pirates don't want to give up 70 cents on the dollar for Jason Bay. Unless the Sox want to give up Manny for nothing but prospects and young hitting outfielders, he's not going anywhere.
It was never a sure thing he was headed out of town and I think Manny should have been much more passive about the whole thing in the last few days. The whole "they don't deserve me" bit may have burned quite a few bridges with management.
The good thing is that now Manny is essentially in a contract year for the next few months. I know this town and I know this club. If Manny hits and we go on a nice little run over the next 10 games, everyone will move on to worrying about how the hard-hitting, aggressive Angels are going to match up against us in the playoffs and Manny will be an afterthought.
Now: Let the healing begin!
Bostonian Of The Week
Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 10:59AM Scott (CEO) Each week we'll pick a Bostonian who has made news (good or bad) during the week. Illustrator Mike Briggs who will provide a caricature of the week's winner or loser.
Sadly, we have our first "Goat Bostonian of the Week" at BostonsportZ.com, it's Manny Ramirez. Last weeks runner up is this week's run away. Manny's clash with Red Sox management created a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation;
If I go there will be trouble
An' if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know
Red Sox Nation was happy with Manny being Manny. When he made a boneheaded move in the field, or did not run out a fly ball, we understood, he's Manny, he'll make up for it. Now Manny is unhappy in Boston and has put his own needs above the needs of the team, trying to force his way out of town.
For the same reason that we find Manny charming, we also find him disappointing. The reason is his child like manner. Let us hope that what ever the out come of this season, the charm will return.
As we wait to see what happens, Let us know what you think.
LETS GO SOX!
For more caricatures and illustrations, visit mikebriggZ.com
How About A 3 Way?
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at 10:15PM Scott (CEO) With rumors flying everywhere tonight, It appears Manny might have played his last game for the Red Sox. According to Will Carroll from baseballprospectus.com, the Red Sox, Pirates and Marlins are very close to a 3 way trade.
Marlins get Manny Ramirez, one prospect (BOS), and cash (likely Ramirez’s remaining salary)
Pirates get Jeremy Hermida and three prospects (two FLO, one BOS)
Red Sox get Jason Bay and John Grabow
There is still potential for this to fall apart over the prospects and if Manny chooses to decline, but after reading what he told Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com, He wants O-U-T OUT!
“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.”
If we can't make this happen, Manny probably will just shut it down. If it does happen we'll get an all-star in return and a quality arm for the bullpen. Stay tuned!
Finally A Solution To The Manny Problem
Monday, July 28, 2008 at 08:11PM Scott (CEO) Trade Manny for Brett Favre! That is the great solution that the guys at Trico Suave came up with, along with these brilliant photoshops. Here's their reasoning.
Manny wouldn’t know the difference. Ship him to Green Bay, have ‘new’ manager Mike McCarthy hold a morning meeting explaining to Manny that the rules and strategy of baseball have been completely modified. He’ll be excited as if he were in gym class and it was a new school week and was time to move on and play a different sport. And playing in Wisconsin, he’s certainly guaranteed to lead the league in snow angel production.
As far as Favre and the Packers go, it’s a win-win. He gets traded out of conference and to a contender and when it comes to men who are revered for playing like children, there’s simply now way Favre doesn’t at least equal David Eckstein’s production. You’re looking at a rich man’s Joe McEwing at worst.
When Gammons Turns On You, You Know You're a Dirtbag
Monday, July 28, 2008 at 04:57PM Aaron Gettings 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.
Much Ado About Nothing: Manny Ramirez Trade Saga Pt. XXXI
Monday, July 28, 2008 at 02:34PM T.J. Donegan Every year for essentially his entire career in Boston, Manny Ramirez has asked for a trade, or had management try to trade him. Every year he's remained in a Boston uniform on August 1st.
The truth is that despite a few quirks to the usual chain of events (the "knee" bone is connected to his pride bone, apparently, because that's the only place he's hurting.), this is just another year of Manny being Manny and Management being Management. If this were David Ortiz doing this there'd be an earthquake in Philistia and the Charles would run red with blood, but it's Manny. He's comfortable and happy playing in Boston. The only signs I see say "business as usual!"
What he's not happy about is his contract which, to be honest, is the worst contract I've ever seen for a stud hitter, even one his age. "Consecutive single-year team options" should be a four-letter word to any agent. Yes, the particulars are phenomenal; who wouldn't want $20 million a year? But for all its monetary value, it's worthless in terms of security. He's got money--his contract is already worth $160 million--he wants security.
Like anybody who could find themselves out of a job in three months time, he wants to know where his future is. Management at the beginning of the season should have said "reach x goals for homeruns, RBI, etc. and we pick up the option, no sweat" or just tell him he'll be a free agent regardless and say you'll discuss a long-term deal at the end of the season.
There's a reason he's not gone already; other teams are afraid of him. There's little risk of losing him in free agency. If he went out and hit 30 homeruns and knocked in 90 or so, would anybody feel that bad about giving him 2-3 years at 35-40 million? Put a target in front of him or put him in a contract year instead of this ambivelent nonsense.
Both sides have erred here. Manny shouldn't be faking injuries and letting his team down, management should have been more straightforward with him than they have been. With the rings he's helped win and the patience they've shown, both sides deserve as much.
Besides, who wouldn't have loved to see "Manny Ramirez in a contract year"?
Quote Of The Week
Monday, July 28, 2008 at 08:15AM Scott (CEO)
"I don't have any preferences, I could choose a team that offers me the
best conditions or one in the chase for the postseason. I don't care
where I play, I can even play in Iraq if need be. My job is to play
baseball."
-- Manny Ramirez on maybe beieng traded
It Could Really Happen
Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 09:03PM Scott (CEO) The same thing happens Every Year around the trading deadline, Between the All-Star break and trading deadline, Manny gets "injured" or loafs, the Sox all get pissed, trade rumors fly, the deadline passes, Many is still at Fenway, He hits a Home Run and everybody loves him again. But this year feels different, Sox brass has actually publicly talked about it, and now Manny has responded:
"What I said was if the Red Sox they think they could find a trade that's going to make the team better and both sides are going to be happy, I'm going to agree," he said. "But if they cannot find a trade... It's something simple. It's no big deal. At the end of the season, all they've got to do is call my agent and say, 'Hey, we're not going to pick Manny's option for '09, he's going to become a free agent.' And that's it. I go my way, and you guys go your way, something simple."
Here is more of the Q&A with Manny from Boston.com.
Do you feel like they want you to go your separate ways?
"I don't know, that's my idea. That's it, something simple. I don't want to talk to them about contracts right now. So what? I know they got me, but enough is enough. I'm tired of them, they're tired of me. After 2008, just send me a letter or whatever. You don't even got to call my agent or whatever. 'Hey, thank you for everything. You're going to become a free agent. We're not going to pick up your option in '09.'"
Do you expect that to happen?
"That will happen. They're not stupid."
When they've talked to you, have they expressed their problem with you?
"Boston is not stupid. They're not going to do it. They can say whatever they want. But when it comes to make a deal, they're not going to pull the trigger, because they know what they've got here."
Are you happy here?
"I'm happy. But enough is enough."
When you say "enough is enough," what does that mean?
"That's it. You've got to ask Tito and John Henry, they know."
Sounds like he's gone to me, but I'll believe it when I see it.