Wheaton Wire

Issue date: 2/28/07 Section: Sports

Believe it or not, but baseball is back in action. Spring is around the corner, and so are the Boston Red Sox. The Boston Red Sox have begun their preparations and have started to get their team ready for what should be an exciting 2007 season. Only one problem: Manny Ramirez is missing in action, which marks another chapter in the "Manny being Manny" saga. Still one may ask, "What is causing Manny to hold out this time?"

Before an answer can be reached to why Manny continues to annoy every Red Sox fan, one has to understand the true meaning of Manny Ramirez. For the past few seasons, Manny has been a hot topic of trade rumors. It is without a doubt one of the biggest issues baseball fans always talk about because the media always over-hypes a big trade which involves a hometown slugger. We also will hear from various media outlets that Manny's wife loves Boston and would never want to leave. Could that be the reason why Manny is still suiting up for the hometown club?

I disagree! While there may never be an exact answer as to why he continues his immature behavior,, all Red Sox fans have to admit that they love to see him hit a long ball over the Green Monster and then jog around the bases with his goofy smile.

What seems to be the reason as of February 19, 2007 for Manny's tardiness to camp is that Manny must attend to his mother. Well, that's what Julian Tavarez said, and my question for you, the reader, is "Do you believe this hogwash?" Tavarez was quoted on redsox.com about this whole Manny situation as saying, "He's been going through a tough time because of his mom; they told her that she had a tumor and it wasn't a tumor, but she had surgery between her ribs and she's home right now recovering, and Manny's out there with his mom." Well, I have to admit since I did read in the papers the other day that this is true, I would have to say for the first time in a while we can let Manny off the hook this time.

Although now that the information about the hometown slugger is cleared about his delay to Spring Training, the question remains, "How long will Manny continue to play this game of 'Manny being Manny'?" Certainly, if I were a player or worked in the front office for the team there would be nothing more frustrating than having a player with so much talent who shows off his immaturity. He is a great player, has great stats, and according to his friend Julian Tavarez, is a true superstar. "He works hard in the offseason; he always shows up in good shape - that's Manny," Tavarez told MLB.com. "Manny is going to show up late or show up early; he's still going to put up 100 RBIs, 40 home runs and hit .300. He's a natural player right there." With these numbers in mind, let's hope Red Sox fans will not be let down by their faithful left fielder.

As for this season, what is going to be exciting is the pitching. But the team still needs offense so they better cross their fingers that Manny shows up in shape and ready to play some ball, or else it could be another long season of "Manny being Manny."

For many of the players, I am very sure that not all of them enjoy putting up with a blockhead like Manny who also seems to look for days off, which is baffling to me because he is a big-name player who is getting paid very well and has plenty of money to supply food for his family.

I could continue to write paragraphs more, although the underlining message is that Manny will be at camp before we know it and the season will be here shortly. So for all of you Red Sox fans, never fear of the Manny hold out because he will be back and ready to go… well, hopefully he will.

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