CENTER FIELD :: Don't Look Back In Anger

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Don't Look Back In Anger

Tomorrow night, Manny will be in Dodger blue.

Just think about that for a moment.

I know this is not news to anyone, the fact of the trade -- but the reality of actually seeing it for the first time... frankly, it's all still kind of unbelievable.

The perennial manchild and fixture of two Sox championship teams, the ballplayer who was both astronomically gifted and maddeningly blasé, the man who was universally beloved and caused universal bemusement. Homerun admirer. Head petter. Media shunner. Lackadaisical fielder. Otherworldly batter. He wears blue now.

The clubhouse has been in shambles lately while the media rained down a Manny-sized firestorm. Manny certainly didn't help matters, choosing to come out of his shell just in time to tell reporters things that have made some very important people very unhappy. But despite every single bit of the hoopla, every bit of the drama, every bit of the teeth gnashing and head-pounding moments he's induced... that doesn't make saying goodbye any easier, really.

He's one of the finest hitters of his generation, a savant with a nearly unparalleled eye at the plate, and a ballplayer who got more joy out of the game than just about anyone. He's a guy who made a lot of missteps and mistakes, some big and some small, but he's also unquestionably a character who was as much a part of the Red Sox ethos as any other.

For better or worse, Manny is larger-than-life, and a one-of-a-kind. His bad behavior is not excused or excusable, but it's part of the crazy jumbled package -- with Manny, you get the brilliance and the insanity. The childlike devotion to the game and the petulant teenager tantrums. The trips to the Monster for a pee-break and the walk-off homerun sailing into the Fenway night sky last October. And any Sox fan who says they're glad to see the back of him? Is either lying or kidding themself.

Tomorrow night, Manny will be in Dodger blue.
But he'll always wear Red Sox.

Comments (23)

[ Liza ] says:
on July 31, 2008 10:54 PM

Thank you, TG. I don't think anyone could have put it any better.

Manny, I'm gonna miss you, buddy. It doesn't matter if you'll be wearing blue or red or hot pink--I'm gonna miss you.

[ jules ] says:
on July 31, 2008 10:59 PM

Well said, Texy, well said.

While I do think the trade was the right thing to do, I'm going to miss him. A lot. I'm grateful for the opportunity to see him play in person and hit one out of the park.

I wish him well in LA. Now I have a motivation to see the Dodgers play in San Francisco.

[ jules ] says:
on July 31, 2008 11:04 PM

FYI, the Dodgers are hosting the Diamondbacks tomorrow. If you have Directv EI, you can catch the game at 7:30 (PT) on channels 694, 748, or 749.

[ fc ] says:
on July 31, 2008 11:05 PM

I hope no one minds if I repeat part of a comment I left at the "Manny Being Traded" post before seeing this one, because it belongs here:

Aw, Manny. I will miss you. I will miss the 1-2 Papi-Manny punch. Last postseason, the way the two of you were all over the bases almost constantly. The years of runs, wins, entertainment, fun, and CHAMPIONSHIPS that you helped bring us. The way you live in the moment and seem to just love to play.

An era has ended. I will miss him terribly.

[ Lulu ] says:
on July 31, 2008 11:07 PM

Wow, that summed it up very nicely. It actually made me cry.

I know, rationally, the deal is probably better longterm for our baseball team, but sentimentally, it still hasn't completely sunk in yet that Manny won't be batting behind Ortiz anymore. Thanks for all the memories Manny.

[ Erin ] says:
on July 31, 2008 11:08 PM

Is it bad that I'm crying now?

[ Angie ] says:
on July 31, 2008 11:15 PM

Texy that was a very beautiful goodbye. I'm really really going to miss Manny :(

And I also totally agree with Lulu and fc. I'm going to miss the Papi, Manny combo and just seeing him in our dugout. It'll be wierd to see Manny in blue but I'll probably tune into the game on mlb.tv just to see him.

And no Erin it's not bad that you're crying because I'm on the verge of tears. When I first heard the trade was official I immediately cried

[ Kim C ] says:
on July 31, 2008 11:20 PM

I've adored Manny since he became a Red Sox and I will continue to be a fan. I've cried off and on since I heard he was gone and will do so until it's out of my system.

When this truly sinks in to all of Red Sox Nation it will be then that we'll all know how lucky we were to have one of the greatest baseball players to have ever played the game.

This is a huge loss.

I wish Manny nothing but the best and the peace he was seeking.

[ Katherine ] says:
on July 31, 2008 11:49 PM

His recent outspokenness has softened the blow for me, but it's still sad. I haven't seen the Sox play without Manny on the team so it will be strange indeed. I suppose this must be what Clevo fans felt like when he left the Indians. Hopefully he's happy in LA.

I'd just like to add that it's absolutely ok to cry. I know I'll bawl my eyes out when Tek is no longer playing, but I hope he retires in Boston.

[ Mary ] says:
on July 31, 2008 11:49 PM

Wow. TG, you said it BEAUTIFULLY.

When I saw that last photo, I admit I started crying.

He's just been such a big part of the team. Despite the past few months, I will miss him. A lot.

[ Piney61 ] says:
on August 1, 2008 12:42 AM

I think this line sums it up perfectly. From the Eagles' "The Best of My Love"

You see it your way
And i see it mine
But we both see it slippin' away

You know we always had each other baby
I guess that wasn't enough

Just like "Still the Same"-Bob Seger will always make me think of the Nomar trade, this song will always make me think of the Manny trade.

That last image is poignant....well said, Texy. Well said.

[ Karen ] says:
on August 1, 2008 1:07 AM

Even though he has been annoying lately, I will miss him. He will be back with Derek Lowe again. Beats the Marlins, where no one goes to games.

[ Ellen ] says:
on August 1, 2008 6:39 AM

Beautifully said, TG. I have tears in my eyes.

[ mermaidmarian ] says:
on August 1, 2008 7:36 AM

How 'bout "Look Back With Ambivalence"?

Not sure how I feel about the trade and it all went down, yet. Up until after the trade deadline, I was of the mind that Manny was a difficult to manage, petulant or eccentric manchild who, despite these failings, was an instrumental element of a forceful, formidable and winning team. Without his peace (sic), could it all fit together? I didn't think so, and thought that the Sox should just deal with him as they have in the past.

Post trade announcement, there has been an avalanche of disclosure (orchestrated or genuine - not sure yet) about the impact on the team Manny's escalating behavior over recent weeks has wrought. These reports, if true, are most damning and disillusioning.

In the end, it appears that while I thought the FO should keep Manny, as their prospects of clinching the division, winning the Pennent and/or another World Series ring were dim - the FO and the team thought that with him they had no chance whatsoever. What they conceded to make the deal happen at the last second (literally), seems to support that appearance.

How sad. I wish I felt ready to wish him luck with the Dodgers. I guess he doesn't need my good wishes right now - he has talent enough. I wish, at this moment, I felt that he deserved the mojo to go with it.

[ Kimberly ] says:
on August 1, 2008 9:06 AM

Great, now I have to 'splain to my co-workers why I'm crying... :( Manny you will be missed!

[ Hurricane ] says:
on August 1, 2008 9:24 AM

so i just put something together in my head... Manny left Boston mostly because Scott Boras's prodding because he would get 5 percent of whatever Manny signs for as a free agent as opposed to nothing if the sox pick up the options...Manny switched to Boras on the recommendation of a-rod in spring training...a-rod had just got over a huge fiasco simply because of Boras ...who is the biggest d-bag in this whole ordeal ... boras or a-rod???

[ Bethie ] says:
on August 1, 2008 9:26 AM

Very well written, TG. You always write about things so eloquently.

I think there are a lot of mixed emotions about this running throughout Red Sox nation. We want Manny when he's hitting and having fun. But this disgruntled version?? Eh.

Still, he's given all of us some great memories. (most people more than me). So, thanks Man-ram.

We'll see ya down the road somewhere, I'm sure.

Now, on to day one of the post-ramirez era.

[ Ducky ] says:
on August 1, 2008 9:39 AM

A well said good bye. I will miss the Manny and Ortiz combination; however, I am glad Manny is out of Boston. He was dragging morale and hurting the team by not giving 100%. I am glad we picked up Bay, hopefully with his good numbers we won't be missing Manny too much. I'm also sad to see Hansen go, more so than to see Manny go really. Oh well, wish em' all well.

[ ecl1958 ] says:
on August 1, 2008 10:15 AM

I swore I'd make it through work today without tears welling up in my eyes, but...

So beautifully put, Texy. And the last photo...I can't even find the words right now.

I know it's for the best, really, but this is a hard way to lose someone who has been such an icon of the team for so long.

[ joyosity ] says:
on August 1, 2008 11:01 AM

Weirdly enough, I just happen to be in LA this weekend so I'm going to tonight's game to watch him in Dodger blue for the first time! I need a chance to say goodbye to him since he sat out the last Red Sox game I was at (last Friday)....

[ Holly ] says:
on August 1, 2008 6:19 PM

*unseemly weeping*

[ GozerTDestructor ] says:
on August 2, 2008 7:32 AM

Well said Texas. You took the words right out of my mouth.

[ lololola ] says:
on August 4, 2008 4:10 PM

Say, thanks! Just as I was pulling myself together so that I didn't cry every day at work, I stumble upon this eloquent goodbye. Thanks for the photo, too.

Manny, I miss you so much! I never got tired of seeing your smile, your baggy pants, your homerun victory sign, your little back pocket hanging out.

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