I'll be the first to say it - I loved the Manny Era in Boston. He was there for 7 1/2 years, and was a huge part of two World Series teams. Sure, he quit on the team in 2002 and 2006 and did some quirky things, but he always entertained you. Some of my favorite Manny moments:
- jacking a home run and standing at home plate with his arms raised long enough for a bird to land on his helmet
- high fiving a fan after making a catch (and doubling a runner off)
- taking a leak in the Green Monster bathroom while the game was going on
- coming out of said Green Monster holding a sign that read Manny being Manny
- cutting off Johnny Damon's throw in CF (to the SS) from about 12 feet away
- Dropping a routine flyball then after saying "Oh well there goes my Gold Glove. I guess I'll have to go for the Silver or Bronze."
- Going out to left field with a water bottle in his back pocket
- Manny on Jay Leno talking about his slide in the World Series vs Colorodo. Manny is talking about the play (as they are cueing up the highlight to show on the screen), and he says "Oh I was definitely safe, no doubt about it, look here Jay, look here. (they show the play), Oh I guess I was out.
- While rehabbing in Pawtucket (where he spent almost a MONTH, seriously what big leaguer wants to spend a month in AAA????) he slid into third base and somehow lost a huge diamond earring. The players and umps were all looking for his earring. He told them to not worry about finding it, it was "only" a $25,000 diamond.
- Running on the bases and always flipping his helmet off as if once he discarded the helmet he would turn into Vince Coleman on the bases.
Now having said ALL THAT... they had to move him, it was time. Somehow, it went from quirky and silly, to just boorish and selfish. He was just different this year, knocking a 62 year old RS Employee to the ground, punching Youkilis in the dugout, were signs that things in Mannyland were stranger than ever. Once he sat out the two games (against King Felix and Joba), that was it. He was really pissed that the Red Sox wouldn't tell him whether they would pick up his option (for $20 mil) in 2009, so he was threatening to shut it down. I actually think the Sox did very well to get Jason Bay back for Manny and two guys who were very expendable. BTW, what were the Marlins thinking? They could have had Manny for free and they passed? Strange.
I am sure that Manny will have a strong second half for LA, and I am sure that the Red Sox will be better off without Manny. I am also sure I'll miss watching him play every day.
2 comments:
The excitement right now in LA is at an all time high. Everyone is so excited on getting Manny for free. They are aware that this guy might be a head case, but with putting Manny in the middle of that lineup makes them the favorite to win the West.
And I don't think I have ever laughed as hard as I did when Manny cut off Damon's throw, but don't forget the classic slide in the outfield during the WS in which he nearly separated his knee from his body.
The media is going to have a field day with him out here.
My office mate is a big fan of all sports in Boston, and we've talked about Manny quite a bit lately. You've got to admit, he has achieved a unique status level. He can do ANYTHING he wants and it can be explained by simply saying ...thats just Manny being Manny. Image the possibilities if you achieved that status.
Favorite quote ...you make your own destination.
Favorite play ...getting picked off 1st base in the playoffs
2nd Favorite play ...the EXACT same thing.
Oh well, that's just Manny being Manny.
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