Beantown Sports Guys

Okajima smiles his way to the All-Star Game

Hideki Okajima was voted to the All-Star roster last night after receiving more than 3.2 million votes from the fans. He’ll be representing the Boston Red Sox proudly, beating out some no name guy on the Twins the Yankee Faithful tried to get behind and push ahead of him. His selection gives the Sox 6 players on the roster, more than any other team in the league, joining pitchers Josh Beckett and Jonathan Papelbon, and the Yard Boys David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, and Mike Lowell. It’s a shame Kevin Youkilis didn’t make the team, but as long as Ortiz is being Ortiz, it will be hard for him to sneak onto the team.

Celtics land Ray Allen

The Boston Celtics finally found a trade that they felt comfortable making.  The C's landed veteran all-star Ray Allen and the Sonics 2nd round 35th pick in exchange for the Celts 1st round 5th pick whom they selected forward Jeff Green for the Sonics out of Georgetown, as well as Delonte West and Wally Szezerbiak.

Allen who turns 32 next month is signed to a 3 year deal worth around $50 mil.  He had ankle issues at the end of last season due to bone spurs which caused him to opt for surgery and shut his season down after scoring a career best 26 ppg average which included a 54 point night in January.

Szezerbiak still had 2 years remaining on his contract worth around $24 mil, while Delonte's time is coming soon for his first big payday as a free agent. 

I am already reading and hearing alot of negativity against this deal in terms of the Celtics, but mark me down as one of its supporters.  People are against Allen due to him aging and injury prone.  Well what exactly is Szezerbiak???  Allen at least has shown he can be more durable than Wally when healthy.  True Allen makes more money and one more year, but Allen is also a much better player than Wally.  A lights-out, deadly outside shooter who should help Pierce immediately. 

Losing Delonte hurts a bit as I did like and enjoy Delontes game and attitude and toughness, but we did have to give up something to get an all-star like my man Ray.  The #5 pick we all knew the Celts were fine trading away.  Once we had no chance at Oden or Durant in the #1-2 alots, the prospects from picks 3-15 or so were all so similar and a total crap shoot who will emerge as decent players and who will be busts.  I did like Corey Brewer and was slightly intrigued by the China-man Yi, but trading away Jeff Green in that spot doesn't bother me much.

The biggest reason I like this trade is we kept Paul Pierce.  We held onto Big Al Jefferson.  We held onto Gerald Green even!  Still have Rondo and Perk.  And still have that all-important expiring contract of Theo Ratliff which could mean that the Celts possibly are not even finished dealing.   Ainge still can pull off a big deal if he wants and can find the right one out there.  By no means do I think the Celts are done with them holding onto Ratliff and that contract of his.  So stay tuned and see what else Danny can do.

In the meantime, the Celts now have two 2nd round picks being their own at 32 and the Sonics at 35.  They can still land two decent young talents there.  Call me optimistic with this one, but I'm not buying what all those pessimistic people are selling yet.  Let's give this a chance and see what else even transpires.

The Current State of the Celtics and Dreaming of the Lottery

The Celtics and their fans find themselves at a crossroads at the moment. How to go about the rest of this season? The Celtics record is currently 12-35 and they now find themselves deep within the worst consecutive losing streak in Boston Celtics history. It is now up to 15 straight games and things do not look all that promising anytime soon to snap that and become a winning team. The funny and strange thing about all that is this team has somehow managed to escape any harsh Boston media and fans criticism. 

The reason for that is we just cannot sit here and fault these young players finally getting their minutes to perform and show what they can do on the big NBA stage. Many are just getting their first taste of the grind of NBA games. The biggest factor has been the rash of injuries that have hit. Veterans Paul Pierce, Wally Szczerbiak and Theo Ratliff have all been injured and out for a good many games. That is 3/5 of their projected starting five when the season started. Add to the fact Kendrick Perkins was out for a time as well and even though has come back, still looks not right. Al Jeff even missed some games the first couple months. And the biggest injury and toughest one to swallow – when Tony Allen went down for the season right at a time when he was really stepping it up and playing the best basketball of his career. Tony was ahead of the curve in terms of developing and showing what he can bring to this team now and in the future. So that was a huge loss and one that really negatively affected the team and started the long losing streak. 

The young players who will be tied forever to this losing streak really deserve better as they have not quit and are showing glimpses each game what we can expect with a total healthy roster. It seems someone different steps up each night with a solid game that raises our eyebrows as we look toward the future. Al Jefferson has been an automatic double-double every night and has displayed a nice repertoire of offensive moves around the basket. Ryan Gomes will always be that under-appreciated player every team needs who does the dirty work that does not show in the stat lines, but by the end of the night produces a decent stat line anyway. Delonte West has proven he is a tough competitor who plays hard every second of the game and won’t back down from anything. His shot will only get more consistent with more time. Rajon Rondo looks like a keeper too. This kid can get anywhere he wants to on the court with his ridiculous quickness and plays a pesky defense. He just needs to work on his midrange jumper and he could really dominate overall. Gerald Green has shown flashes here and there, but the jury is still out on him what he is going to do in this league long-term. Somehow I would like to see the Celts hold onto these young players. Guys who have under-performed like Sebastian Telfair, Kendrick Perkins, Brian Scalabrine, and Michael Olowokandi can take a hike as far as I’m concerned. Hold onto Leon Powe and Allen Ray also for end of the bench guys. 

But enough about the current roster. Let’s get back to this crossroads we find ourselves at. At 12-35 and 35 games left in the season, we currently have a firm hold on the second to worst record in the NBA. Only Memphis at 12-37 is worse. Meaning we are a full one game behind them for that glorified bottom spot and 3 games ahead of Philly for that second to last spot with Philly sporting a 16-33 record. So what to do here since the ping-pong balls are never an exact science to fall your way to land that #1 or even a top 3 pick as nothing is guaranteed by any stretch. I believe I am in the majority now of just saying let the kids play, develop in game scenarios and weather more bumps and bruises to better, more experienced teams while still losing. Win one here and there, but overall let’s go for the best shot of ping-pong balls we can get. Keep Pierce out, let him rehab and get him fresh for next season. What do these last 35 games really mean anyway now at this point? 

The reasoning behind this thinking is because this college draft class is deep and has a couple of, what everyone thinks to be, instant franchise players to be won. 7 foot 280 lb freshman center Greg Oden of Ohio State and 6’ 9” 225 lb freshman combo guard/forward Kevin Durant of Texas are the two prizes and potential franchise players. Both seem like can’t misses. And even though the rest of the draft looks deep, the drop-off from these two does look substantial. So the Celts obviously want the #1 pick, but even netting the #2 this year would look pretty sweet. So let’s further examine these two potential studs.

Greg Oden is that classic big man every team wants to build a team around for years to come. His numbers this season so far are 15.3 points per game, 9.6 rebounds per game and 3.5 blocks per game to go along with a 62% field goal shooting percentage and 60% free throw shooting percentage. Now wait, some people would look at these numbers and not be so impressed when talking about a potential #1 pick in the draft. However, prior to the season starting, Oden injured his shooting hand and probably should not have even played quite a few weeks into the season. Instead he has played through the pain and has basically been playing with one hand. Shooting his free throws with his opposite left hand and overall still not 100%. So imagine those above numbers if the guy was completely healthy! Oden is athletic for a 7 footer and the biggest thing he’ll bring to an NBA team next year is his defensive presence. That 3.5 blocks per game stat jumps right out at you. The guy is a shot-blocker and when he doesn’t get the block, those shots are altered and usually equate to a missed attempt for the opposing team. He is a force down low that the opposing team will need to adjust their offensive game-plan to, as it will not be as easy as usual to drive to the hoop for layups. Oden is drawing comparisons to Shaq, Patrick Ewing and even Bill Russell! He still has a long way to go in terms of developing, especially on the offensive side of the ball. But the sky is the limit for this young center.

Kevin Durant is a completely different type of player. But also could be the main man a team builds around as well. His numbers are 25.4 points per game, 11.6 rebounds per game, 1.9 blocks per game, 49% field goal percentage, 81% free throw percentage and 40% 3-point percentage. Even as a freshman, Durant has been money and playing like a sure-minded veteran. He’s got mad skills all over the court. He is already a complete player with a silky smooth style out there. In Big 12 conference games, he’s been scoring 34-37 a night. He can score down low, either with his back to the basket or facing the basket. He can create his own shot anywhere on the court off the dribble. He’s very exciting to watch. He’s got the consistent mid-range jumper along with also being able to step it back and knock down the 3 ball. He can rebound and block some shots. He’s the total package on the offensive side of the court. Defensively he won’t be quite there yet in terms of the NBA, being that he is a bit lanky and does need his body to develop more to take the day-in, day-out grind of a full schedule NBA season. Durant is drawing comparisons to Kevin Garnett and Tracy McGrady and he looks to be a real special player for some years to come.

So the next obvious question is if the Celtics do land that #1 pick, which player do they take? And as tough as that decision may seem and as much as I love watching Durant, I think it’s an absolute no-brainer that you would have to go with the big guy in the middle - Oden. True he may not be NBA ready as much as Durant is at this time, but you cannot question the uniqueness of having that presence down low in this day and age when true centers with those shot-blocking abilities are few and far between. Players like Oden seem to only come along once every ten years or so, and makes for the perfect guy to build a team around being that it is much easier to find those talented complimentary players at the rest of the positions. That true talented center is always the hardest to come by and this kid looks like the real deal and worthy of that #1 pick. And whomever plays bridesmaid with that #2 pick receives a damn good consolation prize in Durant.

Oh, one small detail not mentioned and being forgotten about by everyone. Oden and Durant could still stay in school if they so choose. Ouch, now wouldn’t that throw a monkey wrench into all this scheming? Even so, at this point, the Celts have gotta do what they gotta do and try to go for that top pick, and hope that luck of the Irish can finally find its way back to Boston and this franchise and give us that right combination of ping-pong balls for that #1 pick which we should have gotten the year Tim Duncan came out. And as for the next 35 games, we can just hope our young kids with their extended playing time garner more experience and develop even further playing hard, but the all important end-factor – still lose the game. Tough to say and swallow for now, but it’s for the greater good of the team and its future unfortunately. Go Celtics!

Losing faith in humanity

I am losing faith in humanity.

Sure, there are good things about people and what they do in the world, but too often, the bad seem to outweigh the good.

A couple weeks ago a kid's football coach stormed the field in Stockton, California, bowling over a little kid who leveled his son after the whistle. Being a football player, sometimes you don't hear the whistle. Sometimes you're just a little amped up. Sometimes you're looking for a little payback when you were burned or leveled on a previous play.

But that is what the refs are for. They control the game. And when they fail, the parents can easily go to the refs or coaches of the other team and point it out. These games are on tape, they have numerous avenues to explore and take their issues down.

The field of play isn't one of them.

Fast forward to last summer.

A T-ball coach offered an 8-year old $25 to bean a fellow teammate so he wouldn't be able to play in a game.

Normally that is just awful, but it gets even worse:

The child he wanted him to bean is autistic and mildly retarded.

Just doing what his coach asked and paid him to do, the little 8 year old hit him not once, but twice. Once in the groin, and once in the ear.

I realize the kid could have known better, but I don't place blame on him. It is squarely on the shoulders of the coach. I am sure the little boy feels horrible for going through with it, especially after talking to his parents, but damnit, that is an awful situation to be in for a little kid.

I don't know if justice prevailed in this case. 29-year-old Mark R. Downs Jr. was convicted of corruption of minors and criminal solicitation to commit simple assault.Downs was acquitted of criminal solicitation to commit aggravated assault, and jurors said they were deadlocked on a charge of reckless endangerment. The judge declared a mistrial on the endangerment charge. I can't see how a jury would not have convicted him on child endangerment. What if the pitcher hit him in the temple and it killed him? What if it hit him in his eye socket and made him half blind? Are you telling me that isn't child endangerment? Not only that, but the mental issues that could accompany this pitcher now certainly should be constituted as child endangerment.

How low can you be on the totem pole of humanity? How deplorable of a person can you be? How can you look at yourself in the mirror?

I hope during the penalty phase of all of this the judge makes this guy pay in the wallet, as well in the form of performing some major community service, not allowed to coach youth sports ever again, and thrown in jail for at least a month.

Maybe people around the country would smarten up then.

Then again, I doubt it.

And that's what really worries me...

Red Sox Opening Day!

Opening day for the Red Sox! 2:05 start time sucks but oh well. Opening day is always an exciting day. And this day is no different. We finally get to see on the field the answers to so many of our questions with this new team. And if you haven’t been paying attention to the roster turnover lately, believe me, there are tons of questions.

Can Schilling get back to being that #1 ace?

 This is the most important question for the Sox and Schill has looked good and healthy this spring. His fastball is a few miles per hour slower, but he may be able to get it cranked back up when the real games hit after a few of them.

Can Foulke get back to being that shutdown closer? 

 The second most important question, as the Sox really need Foulke healthy and effective to set up the rest of their bullpen.

These are the two biggest questions that will affect the Sox season, but there are other important ones to decide how this year goes….

Can Coco Crisp, the Sox new centerfielder, adequately replace Johnny Damon? 

 My bet here is yes as I foresee Crisp having about the same numbers as Damon by seasons end… if not better numbers.

Can Josh Beckett live up to his billing and step up to be the Sox future ace on this staff?

 I’m very excited to see Beckett pitching for the Sox this season!

Can Mike Lowell, the Sox new 3^rd baseman, turn things around for himself after having a very ‘Kevin Millar’ type season last year?

 Replacing Bill Mueller shouldn’t be too hard, and even though Lowell has had a slow spring training, I still expect and hope that now with the regular season, he’ll get back in the groove.

Can Kevin Youkilis handle being an everyday player at 1B?

 My guess here is yes since replacing the numbers Millar supplied us last year at that position should be easy.

Can Matt Clement steady himself in the rotation?

 I’m also guessing yes here as Clement still has great stuff and everyone is down on this guy. I still like Clement as a #3.

Can Wakefield and David Wells hold up for the whole season?

 I guess we can throw Schilling in here also as Wake will be 40 this year, Wells will be 43 next month and Schill is also 39 or 40. So there is an age issue in our rotation.

Can Trot Nixon not get injured?

 Seems every year Trot goes down with some sort of injury. Which was why the Sox made that sweet deal to land Wily Mo Pena who will be the 4^th outfielder for now. Wily Mo can easily step right in though and produce. He could be the next Big Papi type player. Trot could have a real nice year however if he does stay healthy.

Can Mark Loretta get back to what he was before last year’s injury?

 Loretta is our new 2B and a damn good one at that. Another guy I’m excited to see play especially hitting 2^nd after Coco and right before Ortiz and Manny. Should get on base often and score a lot of runs.

We haven’t mentioned Ortiz and Manny in terms of any questions since these are the two guys ya don’t need to worry about but can they keep on this ridiculous pace of being the best 3-4 hitters in the league??? Let’s hope so!

Can Papelbon break into the rotation at some point?

 This kid can throw and has everyone excited to just see him let loose now.

Do the youngsters Hanson, Lester, Delcarmen get back up during the season?

 I’m guessing with pitching injuries bound to happen throughout the year, we’ll see these guys and have some fun watching these kids.

Will the new-look Sox bullpen do the job?

 This could go either way with guys like Riske, Seanez, Tavarez, DiNardo, Timlin and Papelbon for now trying to get to Foulke.

How will Alex Gonzalez do replacing Renteria?

 Alex should be his usual stellar self with the glove making exceptional plays while he hits #9 in the lineup carrying his terrible bat. He should be fine and could actually surprise with his bat and be more than adequate.

Who will be the Sox 1B by the end of the year?

 I know I already posed a question about Youk, but with J.T. Snow and now Hee-Seop Choi breathing down the first-baseman’s neck, this could get interesting if Youk doesn’t come out firing right out of the gate.

Will the Canadian wonder get any PT?

 This would be 5^th outfielder Adam Stern who was in line for that 4^th spot before Wily Mo came on board. I expect both Stern and Wily Mo to be crowd favorites this season. Stern will bring a speedy base-runner in the late innings anyway.

Can the Sox keep their winning ways going?

 The Sox are on a mad season winning streak lately. 2002 they won 93 games. 2003, 95 games, 2004 World Series champs won 98 and last years 2005 club won another 95. So can this team do it? I think they can if all these questions above go the right way!

GO SOX!!!!

Celtics - Playoffs or Lottery Bound?

I am torn and have been for a few weeks now over this. With 13 games remaining and a nice win last night, the C’s find themselves within striking distance of the 8^th and final playoff spot and a death match with Detroit. Do we want this to happen? I was lobbying against this weeks ago saying the Celts should just lose now and get the highest draft pick they can in the lottery. But that was before Pierce went on his scoring streak and spurred the C’s on to a bunch of victories. At one time they were in line for the 4^th pick in the draft and only 2 games within the 2^nd or 3^rd picks. Yes, their record was that bad! Now they are in line for the 9^th pick in the draft and only a half game behind three teams, which could drop them to a 12^th pick very easily. With no instantly gifted special franchise players coming out this season (LeBron, Duncan, etc...), will a high pick make any difference for this team anyway?… especially one as low as 9-12. Even the top 3 picks will be suspect to make any type of impact next season for any team. So how much does getting the young guys some playoff experience mean? Obviously Detroit will take us out in a first round match-up. But all those potential games, even the losses, would probably benefit Delonte and Gomes and Kendrick and Al-Jeff and Tony Allen, etc… Plus an upset win or 2 would be even more beneficial to build towards next season. This team is already young enough, so adding yet another young lottery pick doesn’t really help us from where I’m looking down. We already have a Gerald Green riding the pine with all his future potential. So I’m going back on my previous decision and saying now I am hoping the C’s can make the playoffs. Even that is still a long-shot as I believe this morning they are still 4 games out of the 8^th spot that Philly currently is holding. So with 13 games remaining, they’ll need much help from other teams along with winning their own. But I guess now, either way I won’t be too upset as I like their chances to grow for next season. These young guys along with Pierce and Wally make a fun team to watch at least. GO CELTS!

Vinatieri is GONE!

So late yesterday, the bad news dropped. Adam Vinatieri had reached an agreement to sign with Peyton Manning’s Indianapolis Colts. One of the Patriots main rivals these past few seasons along with Pittsburgh. Talk about a kick in the pants for fans. I’m sure I wasn’t the only fan hoping the Pats would just sign him and keep him kicking in New England. We all know how clutch and important the man has been to our franchise, but the kicker is the lowest paid position on the team basically. He has been worth being paid the highest kicker in the league. And if that is $3 mil a year? That’s chump change to the Pats. So I’m very surprised at this. Maybe they know something we don’t and see his skills diminishing having to setup their field goal attempts closer to around the 30 yard line than deeper 40 and 50 range? I don’t know. But I along with many this morning am sad about this. Not only because he is gone, but did he have to go to Indy??? UGH! Not quite as bad as Damon leaving the Sox for the Yanks, but it’s probably the next worst thing that could have happened. I would have rather seen him go to Dallas with Parcells! We all knew this was very possible, but I still expected to wake up one of these mornings and learn we had re-signed Vinatieri along with extending the contracts of Branch and Seymour since those guys are next if we don’t lock them up soon! I’m not mad at Vinatieri like I was with the greedy, self-centered Damon, but he is making it very hard on us to root for him signing with Indy. So OK now Belichick, Pioli and Kraft. Let’s get moving here! We are still $19 mil UNDER the salary cap last I heard!

Sox Trade Bronson Arroyo!

So the Sox finally dealt Bronson Arroyo today.  He has long been rumored to be on the trading block with his low salary making him very attractive to other teams in need of pitching help.  He even helped the Sox out by accepting a lower contract to remain with the Sox as he probably could have gotten much more if he worked the system the way most guys do. 

So the Cincinnati Reds is his new team.  Does Cincinnati have the nightclubs to accommodate Bronson and his traveling guitar?  Who knows, but he can't be too happy today, after finally throwing a decent spring training game yesterday too - his first good-looking outing we've witnessed from his this spring.  But to me this is a no-brainer deal.

The Sox are stocked at pitching at the moment anyway and Arroyo was going to be a long relief guy out of the pen.  He's 29 and doesn't have much upside.  You know what you'll get from him - up and down, inconsistent outings.  Don't get me wrong, I did like Bronson, but to get a 24 year old outfielder who could perhaps be a steal similar to when the Sox brought in Big Papi Ortiz is well worth the risk here.  That guy the Sox are getting in return is Cincinnati outfielder Wily Mo Pena.  He's already a slugger who can put up some tremendous HR and RBI totals if played every day.  But being so young, he is raw and he needs to work on bringing up his average and decreasing his strikeouts.  The same stuff Ortiz needed to work on when we brought him in.  Did I mention Pena is also a Dominican?  Meaning he's already friends with Manny and Ortiz!  Talk about learning on the job from a couple of the best right there!

Now Pena is not in line to take over any full time duty on this team right now as the Sox outfield is very well set in stone at the moment with Manny in left as usual, the new Coco Crisp taking over Damon's spot in CF and Trot as usual in right.  However, we all know the Sox don't like Trot facing left handed pitching so it seems likely now that Pena will be rotated in to spell Trot whenever the Sox face a lefty.  Oh, and it just so happens that is Pena's strength - facing left handed pitching.  Also any days off given to Manny or Ortiz to rest them for a random game, he'll get to see some time.  This pushes Adam Stern back to that 5th outfielder spot now which is kind of a bummer after seeing what the kid can really do when we watched him playing for Canada at the WBC.  But still Wily Mo Pena is a nice talent to have and develop and could really be huge for the Sox in the future.  As compared to Arroyo who did not have a bright future with the Sox having all their young guns like Papelbon, Lester, Hanson and Delcarmen among others ready to break out and make their marks on the Sox pitching staff soon.

So in my mind, at this moment, great trade for the Sox right there!   

Go Celtics... Keep Losing!!

As a huge Celtics fan, I really hate that it has come to this.  As was the case the year Tim Duncan was coming to the NBA and all of Boston was rooting ML Carr  along to lose games to have the best chance in the Duncan sweepstakes, it looks like we are at that point once again.  We all know now that strategy didn't quite work out as planned and San Antonio swooped on in and grabbed the #1 ping pong ball launching that team to new heights and sinking our team into this mud we still find ourselves in ten or so years later.  But I do think it is time to start looking towards the Lottery again.  Unfortunately there doesn't look like there is an instant franchise saver similar to a Duncan or LeBron in this years crop of college ballers.

Even still, if the season ended right now the Celts would find themselves with the 5th worst record in the league giving them a high probability to land the 5th pick in the draft.  They are only a half game behind Toronto for the 4th pick and only two and a half behind both New York and Atlanta for the 3rd and 2nd picks.  The #1 would be a bit tougher to catch Charlotte as they are five games ahead of the C's for the worst record.  But with 33 games yet to play out this season, anything can happen I suppose.  Which is also true if they start winning a little bit also as there are six teams right on their heels for picks 6-11.  A three game win streak for the Celts in combination with some of those teams losing and the C's could find themselves back with the 11th pick or worse, making the playoffs and having that 1st round exit to the likes of either Detroit or Miami. 

So at this point, why even bother?  Even though there is no clear franchise saver out there in the collegiate ranks, it is time to actually start hoping the C's lose.  Play the kids and get them as much playing time and experience as possible heading down these final 33 games.  This leaves a bad taste in my mouth, but for the greater good of the team, they would just be better off now with the highest pick they could get. 

The sad part is, I like alot of these players.  Pierce is the man and it's really too bad his supporting cast can't put it together with him in his prime.  Contrary to what some people may think of him, he is one of the top players in the NBA.  At times, he's unstoppable.  Szczerbiak should be a nice compliment to Pierce eventually but they haven't played much together and still need much practice time to gel.  Perkins is looking to be a force for the now and near future.  Jefferson still has great upside if he can stay healthy and their guards of Delonte, Orien and Allen all can play.  I love Gomes and want to see him get more playing time and Gerald Green just needs more time and seasoning.  So overall I like this team but right now they are just too young and can't put it together.  Maybe another high draft pick could be another piece to the puzzle of this team.  So let's try and get the highest pick we can get!!!  As much as it pains me to go down this route now, it is for the best.

A Change of Heart for Manny?

Manny Ramirez has once again changed his mind. Manny being Manny I guess and something right at first, most of us could have obviously predicted to happen eventually given enough time. 

Manny spoke with a reporter from ESPN Deportes while in the Dominican yesterday and here is what he had to say about all this trade talk: ''There will be no trade, I'm staying in Boston, where I'm familiar with the system and where I have a lot of friends, especially David Ortiz."

So Manny has now split many Sox fans loyalties to him. Some like myself could really care less over all this fuss of him making demands only to change his mind or his quirks like not running out ground balls to the fullest or taking some days off. I can live with all this knowing he’ll put up some of the best individual statistics for any player on any team in the league. That is a big part of why the Sox have been winning lately and that 1-2 killer punch of Ortiz and Manny is fearsome to other teams pitchers. Other fans have become tired of his actions. Tired of constantly hearing his nonsense. Tired of not giving it his all 24-7. So if Manny does stay now, he’ll have to win back many fans who have been ripping him hard recently. Of course, as we all know, his first clutch hit this season to win a game, and those same people will forget all this garbage and get back on the Manny bandwagon cheering him on.

So now let’s get to the real heart of this matter. And that is at least Manny is finally doing the correct thing here. For make no mistake, his comments and demands have really put the Sox management in a tough situation in attempting to deal him for fair value. Either way now, we either keep Manny, which is good or maybe the Oriole’s will realize the Sox do NOT NEED to trade Manny to keep him happy. Enough of Baltimore’s ridiculous demands of more players on top of Manny for Tejada! Nevermind the cash and prospects, but if I were the Sox now, I would also take Clement off the table in their offer now. If a Manny straight up for Tejada were to go through? Hey, I’ll take that also even though I like Manny. But at least now the Sox can play the trade-offer game without having their hands tied behind their backs. So the future is at least looking a bit better this morning knowing we should at least have either Manny or Tejada this coming season and the Sox won’t be victims of Baltimore’s extortion attempts.

Now let’s get real crazy and keep Manny and STILL try to get Tejada from those dummies!!! Offer up Clement, Trot Nixon, and that prospect Marte and see if they bite on that. Or Arroyo? For Tejada, with also keeping Manny and Ortiz? That would be worth it! OK, back to reality, it’ll never happen, but that’s a nice dream.