Potent Potables

Even at 28 years young, there are still some things I feel like I'll just never be able to fully grasp, and these certain things will continue to annoy the hell out of me. Here are three which come to mind at this very moment:

1. The Wave - in no way am I trying to steal my friend Shane's thunder, as he has gone as far to even create an "I Hate the Wave" t-shirt, but honestly, folks - cut the shit. If you aren't
entertained enough by the actual game going on, then why are you there?? Stop wasting your ticket and give it to someone that actually wants to be there.

2. People who make gulping noises when they drink something. This is a more personal one, as its specifically addressed to my father. I still don't understand - how does this happen, and why? I get it that in Asian cultures, one shows appreciation to the chef by loudly slurping his noodles or soup. But how does this correlate?? By making a loud gulping noise after EVERY sip (followed by an "ahhh" exhale as though he's been in the Sahara for 3 weeks and its his first exposure to a
beverage), is he trying to let the CEO of Coca Cola know how well they did with their latest batch? Pretty sure he's not at the dining room table with us....

3. People who clap at the end of movies and/or airline flights (the latter being more rare). Don't get me wrong - I'm a full fledged clapper, and will do so when appropriate. This includes, among
other activities, sporting events, concerts, WWF wrestling matches (I refuse to refer to the sport as "WWE"), and spelling bees. I just can't understand why people clap at the end of a movie. The genre of movie doesn't matter - it could be an action film or a great drama. Listen to me, people - JUST LEAVE. We clap to show appreciation to whomever is doing a fantastic job....but here's the thing - in all appropriate circumstances, that individual is always there with you, whether on the court, the stage, the ring, etc. Unless the director or an actor is in the theatre watching the movie with you, let me assure you - you look like an idiot clapping.

As far as clapping at the end of a flight goes, I feel like this should not even be a debatable topic. Unless your plane has lost a wing or is completely engulfed in flames, just get up and get off the
damn plane when it lands. Where do you cross the line at clapping during commutes? Pretty sure I'm not giving a round of applause to my cabby after driving me downtown, even if he made it without catching any red lights. I'll be holding the applause for the t driver too - sorry, pal. So why would you clap at the end of a plane ride? Because you made it back on the ground without dying? Pretty sure you're safer on a plane than you are on the T nowadays.

Well, I guess those are enough observations for one day.....I'm exhausted.

Manny (Done) Being Manny in Boston

And so the Manny Ramirez era has finally come to an end in Boston. What do I have to say about it, you ask? Well, thank you for asking....here are my thoughts:

Let's see what exactly we gave up for Jason Bay (who I will speak about later): Manny Ramirez, $7 million, Craig Hansen, and Brandon Moss. That's right - one of the top 5 hitters of our generation, the rest of his contract, a former #1 draft pick with nasty stuff who may
or may not figure it out at some point, and decent prospect with a decent upside. Admittedly, I'm not heartbroken with giving up Hansen and Moss, as the former would never bounce back (on our team at least) by being thrown into the fire his rookie year, and I considered Moss to be an average outfielder (20 HRs, .290 BA), but nothing more. That being said, the closest thing I ever was to being a scout was donning that awful uniform as a kid and starting out as a "cub" (I swear my father made me!). One has to ask - were we THAT desperate to trade Manny Ramirez??

Now let's switch gears for a moment and take a quick look at Jason Bay. Having a solid season this year (very similar to Manny's), and aside from the statistical blemish that was last year, has had a very solid career. Great average, great OBP, 35 HRs, and even some steals.
I should also mention that he's almost 7 years younger than Manny, he only makes $5 million per year (though this year is a moot point, as we are paying him AND Manny), and he's under contract for another year. That being said he has always played in the National League, and he has always played for a team that hasn't been good since Doug Drabek was throwing seeds for them back in the 80s. If you don't know who Doug Drabek is, I've made my point. Can Jason Bay come into a pressure situation, where all eyes are on him? Think JD Drew in '07, Michael
"Primetime" Coleman, Dwayne Hosey (just kidding on the last 2...or am I?). Can he come up big when it counts? Don't forget - Manny was World Series MVP back in '04, and his performance in '07 certainly was not a detriment to the team. Only time will tell - good luck Jason Bay, for all of our sakes.

Don't get me wrong - I see where the Red Sox were going with this - they can't handle Manny for another 2 months, and by dumping his and schilling's contracts (Curt, I think I hear 38 Studios calling...no, seriously), that opens up $20.5 extra million dollars next year for the free agent market (including Bay's $7.5 million for next yr). But here's what I think the Sox should have done:

-Every year Manny has his 2 week temper tantrum. Every year he comes back and mashes the ball. This year was a bit different, in that I think Manny was doing it to make sure the Sox knew he did not want them to pick up his option.

- That being said, Manny knew (or at least Scott Boras knew) that he couldn't continue playing like the next Julio Lugo for the next 2 months, because he is in a contract year and wants to get PAID next year. Poor performance equals poor new contract.

-Theo and his little Theo clones should have said "Look, Manny - we know you are going to be a bitch if we pick up your option, so here's the deal, which is a win-win situation: you play hard for the next 2 months, we don't pick up your option for next year, and you pick up a nice big
contract for next year from another team (that thinks they will be able to control your actions)." What's so wrong with that? Manny isn't that dumb, is he? We end up with the best hitter in the AL going on all cylinders for 2 months, a better chance to win another World Series, we have $20 million extra to pick up someone else, AND we get 2 extra 1st round draft picks next year when someone else picks Manny up (Editor's note #1: need to look into this, as I'm not sure if you get compensation if a team denies an option) (Editor's note #2: I am my own editor).

That being said, I'm not Theo Epstein and I don't know what else was happening behind the scenes. Theo is a smart enough guy to lay it on the line with Manny, so maybe it just wasn't gonna work. Let's just hope that the traveling secretary for the Dodgers is a little younger this time.

Ino Guerrero, this is your official wakeup call - your services are no longer needed in the Red Sox clubhouse.