Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 1:03pm
As you all probably know the era of Manny Ramirez in Boston is no longer. Yesterday the Boston Red Sox traded away a future hall of famer in Ramirez in exchange for Pittsburgh Pirate's Jason Bay, but they also gave the Pittsburgh Pirates Brandon Moss and Craig Hansen. Both players are major league ready. They also will pay the remainder of Ramirez contract while in L.A. This doesn't come cheap but in the end I believe it will. Jason Bay has a 7.5 million dollar contract which is far more cheaper than Manny's 20 million. Who knows if Jason will be able to come into Boston and step into a pressure situation right away. While in Pittsburgh, Bay never had been in a playoff race or in that case something as important as a trying to defend a world series title. The numbers this year may seem similar with Bay mashing out 22 dingers to Ramirez 20, but Manny has the upper hand in batting average with a .299 and Bay's .288. Another big thing that will be a huge factor in all of this is Manny's presence in the lineup, nothing against Jason Bay he is a phenomanal player but in no way that of Manny Ramirez. Now the biggest question, how will the fans in Boston except Bay, I hope with open arms. The worst thing is for him to come here and not feel welcome in a new town. But I feel that the maturity will come out and they'll welcome him as one of our own.
Manny Ramirez's stay in Boston was a long and victorious one. He hit 247 home runs, 848 rbi's and won two world series titles. If the situation didn't have to end like it did, we may have been sitting here 10 years later awaiting them to unveil the newest number to be retired at Fenway, "24" and your entry into the hall of fame wearing that "B" on your cap. Even though it came down to this, Manny has given the fans in Boston and throughout the country many great memories, whether your on a phone call in the monster during a pitching change, missing a ground ball then falling and crawling to pick it up, or just the fact of "Manny Being Manny". You will be missed greatly. You were seen here as almost a cartoon character with your long hair and many of your antics and the fact you may be one of the greatest left fielders to grace us with your presence in left field, but as it comes to the end of the Manny era in Boston your starting a new era in L.A and I wish you all the best.
I believe that Manny will be able to step right into the Dodgers lineup and give them a presence they've been missing for a long time. He will make everyone around him better. Now as for Bay he comes into Boston as the guy that replaced Manny, but that doesn't mean that you have to become Manny. Just be Jason Bay and as the time comes the fans will eventually learn to love you and the way you play this game.
So long Manny Ramirez.
-strong member of Red Sox Nation '08
So long Manny Ramirez.
-strong member of Red Sox Nation '08
