As I type this letter to you, I do so with a heavy heart. The events that have transpired over the last week, have made it possible – albeit small possibility – that you may not be a card carrying member of Red Sox Nation come the next Tuesdays with Smitty. Note to all readers : As I am typing this Manny just grounded into a 6-4-3 double play and didn’t even run down the baseline. It has become very apparent since right before the All-Star break that you are very unhappy that Red Sox ownership. Especially since ownership hasn’t picked up your “market value” $20 million options for both 2009 and 2010. In fact, I used your cause as inspiration and tried it last week with my employers too. I told them my throat hurt and my wrists were sore, so I couldn’t talk all day or type. Let’s see how my clients do without me. Ownership will know my value and they will give me an extra $1,000 for next year and the year after. Between you and me, my wrists were fine…how about your knee?

See I don’t blame you. Back in 1993 your friend Pedro pined ownership every day, every interview – basically any chance to get them to pick up his option for 2004. And they did. They didn’t even wait until the end of the season to pick it up. After all, it was a matter of respect. I mean what has this organization done since? Won 2 World Series, had the guts to trade the face of the franchise – Nomar, completely rebuild the farm system, and raise Red Sox fever to all time levels. You are right – they haven’t done anything to indicate they know what they are doing. Yes they have covered for your past missteps, your “injuries”, your “bad hammy” for shutting it down in 2006, and even your eccentricities. How dare they think twice about how they are spending $20 million dollars?

Even your numbers here have been incredible with the Red Sox. No other lineup in Major Leagues Baseball has a 3-4 combo as deadly as you and Big Papi, and there hasn’t been a better run producer in our generation. I know you are underrated as a left fielder, but let’s face it – outside of Fenway any fly ball to left field when you are out there –well, is a little scary. Never was it more apparent when you decided to give yourself a back massage using the baseball in Anaheim. I know you sometimes don’t run out fly balls or ground outs, but I understand you are trying to do your part to conserve energy. Why waste energy running down that line when you can save that energy for later?? I gotcha man, I understand.

But Manny, you have to explain something to me: What happened since the Spring, when you declared yourself happy to be a Red Sox and wanted to finish your career here? It seemed you had come to peace with the price that comes of being paid $168 million dollars in Boston. The fans have embraced you too. In fact “Manny being Manny” can be heard everywhere as a punch line. Wait – is that a good thing? But fans here love you. You beat up on the Yankees, in fact you make them wish you were in the National League. People here love you – they stick up for you. In fact we understand what an extra $20 or $30 million would do for you. We can relate. I mean after that, your kid’s- kid’s – kid’s- kid won’t ever have to work. Of course that is provided that you don’t keep leaving $40,000 in case in the glove compartment of your car.

Manny – one more thing: how did insulting the owner of Red Sox help your cause? How does not having a great season and potentially leading the Red Sox to another World Series title, not help your cause? In fact, I am a little confused. That really makes a lot of sense. How did taking the night off against Joba, really help your cause? Come to think of it – it is a little strange that the last couple of nights you have been too hurt to play were against guys like Joba and Felix Hernandez. Coincidence, right? I mean Manny Ramirez isn’t afraid of any pitcher, right?

So Manny if this is it – thanks for the memories. Maybe it is time for you to move on. Maybe it is time for the Red Sox to be drama free. There is too much about this team that is good. This team is too good to have one guy derail an entire season. Too many Bostonians spend their hard earned money to come watch you play and to come watch their Red Sox win. But in the end, it comes down to $40 million dollars, because $168 million wasn’t enough. As being someone who has stuck by you for years – I have to agree. It is time for you to go.

Hey you are turning 36 this year, so you are eligible for the Omar Minaya “ Bingo Club”. Do you think you would like the National League?

And one last question – Did Scott Boras put you up to this?

Sincerely,
A former Manny Ramirez fan

Begs the question: who is the best pitcher of the last twenty years?

Maddux is not the only major leaguer looking to surpass a milestone.

Ken Griffey Jr. is sitting on 597 career home runs. Junior’s Cincinnati Reds play against the Mets at Shea Stadium today. Junior was out the lineup last night with an illness, and his time in Cincy seems to be coming to an end. The slugger has alluded to a return to Seattle. Time will tell.

Then there’s Manny. The man of dangling locks is perched on 497 home runs.

Our very own Thrilla, known to the rest of the world as Mike Kelly, has started what will be a career of milestones. In his first year as head coach Thrilla led Monroe Community College to the Region III Division II title. In doing so Thrilla earned coach-of-the-year honors. This weekend the Tribunes go for the East District title with a trip to the Junior College World Series on the line.