'Despicable': McCarver rips Manny's behavior

[beerchaser]

I seem to recall reading an article a couple months ago (don't remember where) that whenever a star player leaves Boston, for whatever reason, it ends up being an ugly departure.

[HoustonGM]

I seem to recall reading an article a couple months ago (don't remember where) that whenever a star player leaves Boston, for whatever reason, it ends up being an ugly departure.

It's certainly happened multiple times...Nomar Garciaparra, Wade Boggs, Manny...

[Pavelb1]

It's certainly happened multiple times...Nomar Garciaparra, Wade Boggs, Manny...

Damon and Martinez wern't particularly ugly...they simply decided to take the better offer. *

*If I were a GM I'd insist on all players being present with their agents during negotiations. I might even put it in their contracts. They don't have to sy anything. They can sit there and read the bloody paper if they want, but I'd want them there.

**On the other hand look at Schilling. Technically the guy isn't gone yet and a ton of Boston fans have turned on him. And to think Epstein and Henry sold him on Boston by saying if he brought them a ring, he'd be a folk hero forever.

[Red Sox Fan 734]

McCarver: "A walk is just as good as a home run" I remember he said that once in a game when Boston was in extra innings and the game was tied. So if Boston hit a HR they would win. McCarver is a retard

[Pavelb1]

McCarver: "A walk is just as good as a home run" I remember he said that once in a game when Boston was in extra innings and the game was tied. So if Boston hit a HR they would win. McCarver is a retard

I think (think mind you), it was in the 2004 ALCS when the Yankees were threatening in game 6 and the Sox walked someone. He said "A walk is as bad as a home run" (?)

Of course I may be remembering something completly different.

[Swampdog]

I am a Boston fan, and while I appreciate Ramirez' contributions to the two WS wins, I am very glad he's gone. I agree with most of what McCarver said.

I think what he was referring to, about the refusing to play thing, is that Ramirez did claim he had a knee injury, then wasn't even certain which knee it was. He had an MRI done on both knees, and the results were clean...no injury. Ramirez asked to be put on the DL, and the Sox refused. Ramirez was sulking about his contract at this time. He DID refuse to play in two games, claiming his knee(s) hurt. Coincidentally, he sat out games vs Seattle and Felix Hernandez (their best pitcher), and then against the Yankees and hard throwing Joba Chamberlain (their best starter, in his 12 starts). Then, Ramirez was fine, and able to play against lefty Pettitte and the mediocre Ponson. I'm pretty sure that this is what McCarver was talking about.

Manny did, in fact, fail to run out ground balls (even a double play ball, which ESPN has probably shown 3 million times). This is nothing new for him though. Ramirez has been accused of lackadaisical play many times in the past. He knocked the traveling secretary down, when that poor guy couldnt get Ramirez multiple tickets for some game.

I dont know what is wrong with Ramirez. Right now, considering everything, I would much rather have Jason Bay in left field. We all know that Ramirez has been a helluva hitter, but Bay is 6+ years younger than Ramirez, and he's much better in the field, on the bases, and, from what I can tell, in the clubhouse.

Ramirez is still a better overall hitter than Bay, but he will be 37 next year, and Bay can hit a little too.

I agree with McCarver than Manny's conduct is despicable. I wish him the best. I will venture to say, however, that whatever team signs Ramirez to a big contract, will regret it. Just my view.

[cartman00000001]

it wasn't the production that was questioned, it was his potential that was the unknown. The Sox had no idea what they were going to get. Was he going to sit for 6 weeks with a sore knee like he did in '06, or was he just going to cause trouble for the rest of the season but still put up good numbers? Either way, he was affecting the other 24 guys...hurting THEIR production or their possible production. No one knew, so they made a decision....the right one.

[Swampdog]

Agreed. Manny was, and is, a great hitter. Its everything else he does that is the problem. No doubt Boston coddled him, and probably overlooked too much over the years. On the other hand, Ramirez is the perfect example of an overpaid, spoiled athlete that believes that he does not have to be held to the same standard as everyone else. And, for the most part, as long as he produces, he is correct.

[HoustonGM]

it wasn't the production that was questioned, it was his potential that was the unknown. The Sox had no idea what they were going to get. Was he going to sit for 6 weeks with a sore knee like he did in '06, or was he just going to cause trouble for the rest of the season but still put up good numbers? Either way, he was affecting the other 24 guys...hurting THEIR production or their possible production. No one knew, so they made a decision....the right one.

Nobody's disputing the decision to get rid of Manny...just the falsehoods that the media uses to try to justify it, when they should be using the facts that DO justify it (like you and others have pointed out).

[Wassit3]

Agreed. Manny was, and is, a great hitter. Its everything else he does that is the problem. No doubt Boston coddled him, and probably overlooked too much over the years. On the other hand, Ramirez is the perfect example of an overpaid, spoiled athlete that believes that he does not have to be held to the same standard as everyone else. And, for the most part, as long as he produces, he is correct.

if Boston chose to coddle Manny and overlook his behavior as you state, whose fault is that? it seems silly to me to spoil a child then complain when it acts like a spoiled child...

[cartman00000001]

Nobody's disputing the decision to get rid of Manny...just the falsehoods that the media uses to try to justify it, when they should be using the facts that DO justify it (like you and others have pointed out).

Nothing much we can do about that HoustonGM. They all have agendas, like Dan Shaughnessy. He's was so bent on giving Curt Schilling the business...it was unreal.

[rogue9]

I am not a Boston fan, and don't live on the east coast, so I am not sure on this... but, I think I heard or saw a highlight where many took three called strikes from Mo Rivera with his bat resting on his shoulder when Boston said they would look at the option later on.

Maybe he didn't play poorly, but if the above is true, that just as bad..

[cartman00000001]

I remember the weeks of discussions about that incident on WEEI

[rogue9]

Wow, McCarver and Buck are morons. They start tonights game off saying how the Dodgers pitchers need to retaliate for wild pitches thrown near Manny. First the Myers one, then one where Cain threw at him. Cain doesn't throw at people intentionally, hes not like that, and they think there should have been retaliation? These guys are such idiots.