FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Sometimes, marriages don't work out.  That's why there are so many divorce attorneys in the world.  For whatever reason, be it boredom, a bad fit, or a wandering eye (maybe you're watching TV and see Greg Maddox throw a meatball right in the wheelhouse and say, mmm... I'd love to hit that), marriages end. 

And so it is, on July 31st, 2008, that the seven and a half year marriage between the Boston Red Sox and Manny Ramirez comes to an end.  If you really think about it, it's really remarkable that it lasted this long.  Remember 2003, when the Sox had a trade finalized that would have sent Manny to the Rangers in exchange for ARod?  (In retrospect, I'm glad that trade didn't happen.  The Sox had the Curse of the Bambino.  It seems a curse follows ARod as well.  Tap me on the shoulder when a team that ARod is on wins something, anything.  I won't hold my breath.)

Or how about when the Sox put him on waivers and anyone could have had him?  Or when he threatened to not show up for spring training if the Sox didn't trade him?  It really is a miracle that the marriage lasted this long. 

But does this divorce really help the Sox?  Here's the question.  Are the Red Sox a better team now than they were before 4 P.M. today?  Are they better or worse now?  You could argue either way.  Talent-wise, they've broken up one of the most prolific 3-4 combinations in history, one that helped them win 2 championships in four years.  Talent-wise, they're not as good now as they were before.  But we know Manny could play in Boston.  We know, even though he hated the fishbowl, that he could handle the pressure.  We know no such thing about Jason Bay.  He could be a total bust in Boston.  Players have been known to implode under the 24-7 pressure that Boston places on its players.  It's been four years, and the Sox are still searching for someone who can fill Nomar's shoes at shortstop.  That being said, they have managed to win without Nomar. 

On the other hand, Manny's constant distractions, which really reached a crescendo this week, seemed to be affecting the team's chemistry.  No one can argue the Sox look like a team with other things on their minds.  Maybe with the distraction gone, they can focus on what they're supposed to do, play baseball, rather than looking in the tabloids to see what Manny did now. 

This is something the Sox HAD to do. Manny had just become too much of a distraction.  Whether it was the skirmish with Youk, the pushing down of traveling secretary Jack McCormick or his recent attacks on management and ownership, Manny was giving it 110 per cent in his efforts to get moved.  And is there really a more perfect fit for Manny than La-La land, where the bizarre is viewed as normal?  I question whether Hollywood could come up with some of the storylines that Manny Being Manny has provided. 

I for one will miss Manny.  I'm not a Manny apologist nor do I condone his sometimes lacksidasical play on the field, but he has been and will always be a part of Red Sox lore and history.  Love him or hate him, life without Manny will make the Red Sox a little less interesting.  It's doubtful we'll see any more high-fives mid-play, bathroom breaks or cellphone calls from behind the wall.