It didn’t take Manny Ramirez much long to become comfortable with his surroundings in L.A., as last night served as a prime example. Wherever Manny is, he will hit the ball, and he will do it well. Ramirez went 2-4 last night in his Dodger debut off left hander Randy Johnson. He did, however, ground into a double play in the 9th to just about seal the game for the Diamondbacks.

Contrast that with the show Jason Bay put on last night in Fenway, and maybe this move wasn’t such “downgrade”, if you want to call it that. Last night, all Jason Bay did was score the lone 2 Sox runs, hit a key triple in the 12th inning, and later scored on Lowrie’s slow bouncer to win the game. Not to mention he made a key sliding catch in left field (a ball Manny never would have caught up to) and played the Green Monster wall pretty well.

It’s only been a couple days, but Manny Ramirez feels he’s where he wants to be.

“I like this city, the environment, the energy in the fans. I think that I’ll play here for the remaining of my career.”

This is such a load of bull I can’t even begin to explain. Ramirez is an odd character…always has been. After a press conference and one, single game, he’s ready to stay in LA all the way to his retirement? Tell me if I’m wrong, but I believe we’ve heard that statement before. Hasn’t LA realized Ramirez cares for one thing and one thing only, the money?

After the debacle with the Red Sox over the past couple of weeks, Ramirez showed his true character as a person, player, and businessman.

At least one good thing has come out of this, we’ve received a solid player in return. I’m not sure what it would take to get Jason Bay in the offseason, but now that he’s here, hopefully he can help contribute to another championship in Boston.

As for Manny, at least it’s looking like he has to cut his Milli Vanilli mop-top, per order of one Joe Torre.

“I told him that if the rule is to get a haircut, then I’ll get one because I don’t want any special privileges,” Ramirez said. “But Joe replied by saying that I should get an apartment and take care of my personal stuff first, after which I should see a barber.”

He doesn’t want any special privileges? You mean he will be unable to sit out games vs. the likes of Joba Chamberlain and Felix Hernandez?

Joe, I’m sorry, but let the headaches begin. One thing we know for sure is that manager Terry Francona can now get a good sleep at night.

Enjoy LA, Manny.

Two money-hungry souls. Hey Nomar, how’s your hammy? back? ankle?

Is it me, or has Boston really over-done itself on this one?

The biggest story in Boston sports, as of today, is that of the dilemma surrounding Red Sox outfielder, Manny Ramirez. Ramirez has supposedly “challenged” the Sox with a statement that leads many to think he wants out.

“Enough is enough. I’m tired of them, they’re tired of me. After 2008, just send me a letter. You don’t even have to call my agent or whatever.”

Ramirez later went on…

“If the Red Sox think they can find a trade to make the team better, and both sides are going to be happy, I’m going to agree.”

Obviously, Man-Ram is calling out management on this one, but what is the fuss all about? I’m hearing raves and rants bout how Manny should be sent to Philly, the Mets, the Rockies yadda, yadda yadda. The fact of the matter is, Manny will not be traded under any circumstances, nor should he.

No team will be willing to take on the contract and baggage that comes with the future Hall of Famer. Whether it be Matt Holliday, Mark Teixeira, whomever, not one player can come to Boston, fill the shoes of Manny Ramirez and think the Red Sox will be in contention. To make more of it, any team willing to trade for Ramirez will not send a guy like a Holliday, a Pat Burrell, or a Mark Teixeira to Boston. Prospects would be sent to the Red Sox. Manny knows himself the Red Sox aren’t this dumb. On regards to a trade scenario, Ramirez stated:

“That’s not going to happen . . . Boston is not stupid. They’re not going to do it, they can say whatever they want. But when it comes to making a deal, they’re not going to pull the trigger because they know what they’ve got here,”

No matter which way the balls drop, when Ramirez steps on the field, he’s all business. We may have forgotten that amongst this huge dilemma, he did go 3-5 with 2 2B and 2 RBI in the Sox’ 9-2 win last night over the Yankees.

—

So what should we do?

Let Manny be Manny for the rest of the year, don’t pick up his contract, and let the man walk. It’s the best for both sides.

The second half is well upon us and it seems that the New York Yankees are looking to crash the party atop the AL East. After a mediocre first half of baseball, the Bronx Bombers have won seven-straight ball games, trailing the East leading Rays by just 3 games heading into the second game of a three-game weekend series with the Boston Red Sox.

It seems as if the Yankees are preparing to make a strong run at the pennant, acquiring outfielder Xavier Nady and left handed reliever Damaso Marte from Pittsburgh in exchange for reliever Russ Ohlendorf and three minor leaguers. Of the minor leaguers, Jose Tabata, a highly-regarded outfielding prospect, is the most prominent name of the bunch.

Last night witnessed Joba Chamberlain’s best start of his career, as he blanked the Red Sox through 7 innings of work, striking out 9, giving up 0 runs while outdeueling Boston ace, Josh Beckett. Chamberlain is now 3-3 with a 2.30 ERA for the Yankees.

We should think about calling the New York Yankess the best second-half team in baseball. Including this year, the Yankees are 154-81 after the All Star break since 2005. Robinson Cano is easily the best hitter of the Yankee sluggers in the second half. In 209 post-All Star games in his career, Cano’s batting average is at a stellar .339.

The real question is, if the Sox and Yanks were to meet in the ALCS this year, which starters would you rather see out there? Beckett, Lester, and Dice-K? Or Pettitte, Mussina, and Joba? We all know Andy Pettitte is still one of the best playoff pitchers of his time, but my money’s still on the Sox.

*On a side note, was it me or was Mike Lowell absolutely screwed at the plate last night? He has every right to get thrown out after that barrage of calls.*

*Also, Kevin Youkilis is PISSED, when will this Joba/Youk thing come to an end? Is Joba taking it too far? To me, most certainly.*

As the Boston Red Sox embark on their journey for a third championship in five years, many questions arise surrounding what needs have to be met in order to achieve the title, “2008 World Champions.” What do the Boston Red Sox have to address heading into tonight’s series against the Los Angeles Angles? We’ve compiled our top five list with the most important factors that will help the Red Sox reach another milestone.

5. Bullpen consistency…
The World Champion Red Sox of a year ago had a team bullpen ERA of 3.10 and compiled a .226 batting average against, 1st in all of baseball in 2007. Switch gears to 2008 and we can see that things have seriously changed. Hideki Okamjima hasn’t been the “Oki” of ‘07, Delcarmen and Hansen have experienced their ups and downs, Papelbon hasn’t been as dominating(we’re not knocking him, trust us), and Timlin’s ERA is through the roof. In order for the Sox to make a serious run in the postseason, an addition to the bullpen needs to be addressed. Recently, the Sox have been searching for what they hope to be an acquisition that will help benefit the bullpen’s recent lack of consistency. Names such as left-handers Brian Fuentes, Ron Mahay, and Demarso Marte have been in the mix.

4. Solidity at SS
When the Red Sox signed Julio Lugo just before the 2007 season, they were looking for an average defensive player but an above average bat. Granted, Julio Lugo has cut down the errors drastically from earlier in the season, but his bat hasn’t produced. $9 million dollars is a lot of money to be paying a mediocre shortstop who’s on pace to drive in less than 45 RBI’s. Has anyone forgotten that Lugo batted .237 last year? Jed Lowrie has stepped up to take Lugo’s spot as the veteran shortstop is on the disabled list with a strained left-quad. Lugo won’t be back for five-to-six weeks. Even if Lowrie shines in his place the next couple of months, it’s almost certain Lugo will take his spot back solely based on his contract and the amount of money the Sox have invested into him. Boston should be looking for a shortstop who plays above-average defense with an average bat. That’s all the Sox need from that position.

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Minnesota Twins: No more shines, Sox.

Boston Red Sox: What?

Minnesota Twins: We said, no more shines. Maybe you didn’t hear about it, you’ve been away a long time. They didn’t go up there and tell you. We don’t shine shoes anymore.

Boston Red Sox: Relax, will ya? Ya flip right out, what’s got into you? We’re breaking your balls a little bit, that’s all. We’re only kidding with ya…

Minnesota Twins: Sometimes you guys don’t sound like you’re kidding, you know, there’s a lotta people around…in Fenway.

Boston Red Sox: I’m only kidding with you, we’re having a party, we just came home (to Boston) and we haven’t seen you guys in a long time and we’re breaking your balls, and you’re getting f@!%ing fresh. We’re sorry, we didn’t mean to offend you.

Minnesota Twins: We’re sorry too. It’s okay. No problem.

Boston Red Sox: Okay, salud.

Boston Red Sox: [take numerous drinks] Now go home and get your f@!%in’ shinebox.

The Red Sox came up big in the 8th inning last night. Manny Ramirez, Brandon Moss, and Jonathan Papelbon told the Twins to go home and get their f@$*ing shinebox. Ramirez blasted a 2-run homer to tie the game followed by Moss’ RBI single that plated Kevin Youkilis. Papelbon came on to seal the deal and the Sox literally stole another game from the Minnesota Twins.

Jon Lester didn’t have such a good outing, but he did manage to go deep into the game, something that has been lacking from Sox starters recently.

Josh Beckett takes the hill tonight, broomstick in hand, as the Sox try to sweep the “red-hot” Twins in Beantown and chip away at the Tampa Bay Rays.

CHALK IT UP…LET THE GOODFELLAS TAKE IT HOME!

* You know, we always called each other good fellas. Like you said to, uh, somebody, :You’re gonna like this guy. He’s all right. He’s a good fella. He’s one of us.: You understand? We were good fellas. Wiseguys. *

There comes a time as a Sox fan when you sit down and look back at the teams that weren’t as fortunate to win it all like the ‘04 and ‘07 teams. Honestly, the Red Sox had many players that have come and gone in the past, but the following take the cake. Some were decent, most were bad, but they all have one thing in common. In the end, they all are irrelevant. So we present to you The Top 20 Most Irrelevant Red Sox Players In The Past 20 Years.

(in no particular order)

Enjoy.

Lee Tinsley, OF, 1994-1996 Tinsley was used a trade-bait for the Red Sox in the mid-90’s. He was traded from Seattle to Boston, then to Philly, and finally back to Boston for his second stint. The outfielder never lived up to the hype. He was drafted 11th overall in the 1987 Amateur draft. He currently coaches first base for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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Tags: Boston Red Sox, irrelevance, Top 10, Top 20
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