Manny being Manny

"Where's Manny?"

The answer to this question depends on two things: who's asking it and what's going on?

The final week of July, Red Sox skipper Tito Francona would have answered this with, "I wish I knew."

In the top of the ninth of Monday's game against the Phillies, Joe Torre's answer was, "In the can."

The latest 'Manny being Manny' moment has added to the infamy of one of the greatest hitters the game of baseball has ever seen. Since being acquired by the Dodgers, Ramirez is hitting .476 (20-42) with 4 HR and 14 RBI in just 11 games.

Ask any member of the American League East the same question and they'll likely smile as they respond, "3,000 miles west."

Boston's 19 run output last night might not indicate how much Ramirez is missed in Beantown, but time will tell as the Red Sox attempt to defend their World Championship.

Absent minded at times, Ramirez is in a zone that most hitters never experience in a career. His offensive outburst has kept the boys in blue in the National League West race and forced the first place Diamondbacks to acquire outfielder Adam Dunn from the Reds. LA is caught up with Manny Fever as the surrounding line-up has benefited exponentially from his mere presence.
His notorious lack of hustle doesn't matter when the ball lands in the stands.

While the rise in contracts to nine figures has placed more responsibility and added a sense of professionalism to baseball, let's not forget that this is a game. In my 20 years of watching America's pastime, I can't say I've witnessed a player having more fun on the diamond than Manny.

Next week, the answer to the million dollar question will be, "At the barber."
Torre informed Manny of his affinity for a clean cut look. Manny immediately agreed and said he didn't want any preferential treatment.

While some may be annoyed by his antics, I will watch every second of the remainder of his prolific career. There may never be a player like Manny again. On the last Sunday of July, five years after Manny hangs up his spikes, the answer to the question will be one word, "Cooperstown".


They say a picture's worth a thousand words. This one left me speechless.