OT: $160m bat, 10-cent brain
 

Posted By: <b>Bill Cornell</b><p>I always thought that the "role model" cliche was the dumbest that sports had to offer and I hope Manny Ramirez's latest cop-out (<a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1607063" target=_new>http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1607063</a>) is the final proof. Crucial series, sore throat, but he still can go off and get typically goofy. Would anyone want a child to grow up to be as good of a hitter but this dumb? The PC-centric world doesn't want to call a dope a dope, but Manny continues to set new standards.<BR><BR>As an aside, Red Sox fans often get labeled as "bitter", but when I saw their game in Phiadelphia today, I realized that we can only run a distant second - the Phillies fans are just plain <i>mean</i>. They booed the home team unanimously every chance they got: on foul balls, when they took the field between innings, when the wind blew in a different direction. If this happened in, say, Seattle, they'd have grief counselors in the dugout to help the players cope...

OT: $160m bat, 10-cent brain
 

Posted By: <b>Adam J. Baxter</b><p>Personally, I think that Ramirez left whatever passion he had for the game back in Cleveland. Ramirez'lax attitude towards the game and the fans becomes starkly apparent alongside real gentleman players like Nomar Garciaparra, who give 100% on the field and know how to compose themselves in front of the public eye. Ramierez has talent, but frankly, he acts like a child. Not to say that he hasn't helped Boston to win, but I have always felt that the hype surrounding Ramirez and his talent has always been bigger then his actual contributions to Boston. I just don't think Manny's heart has been in the game since he left Cleveland. Just my opinion.

OT: $160m bat, 10-cent brain
 

Posted By: <b>Bill Cornell</b><p>Manny never even knew he was in Cleveland; he figures he left orbit sometime early in 1972. The Red Sox could write "VOID" on his checks and he'd still try to cash them.