Come To Think of it...Manny Being Manny Not Playing to Rave Reviews in Boston

All of this "Manny being Manny" stuff is lighthearted and fun, as long as the Red Sox are winning. It's not so enjoyable or funny when they lose. That's just the way it is.

Fortunately for the Nation, winning is what they do. World Series titles in 2004 and 2007 have turned much of what Manny has done into a sort of side circus, a carnival.

One minute he catches a flyball, the next minute he is high-fiving the fans in the outfield before remembering to fire the ball back to first to double up the runner.

Ah, let's reminisce, shall we?

In 2003, Manny was spotted in a bar when he was supposedly too sick to play. During the season, he expressed a desire to be traded to the Yankees. He also refused to pinch-hit in a game that year.

In 2004, Manny missed a game to become an American citizen. His first game back, he carried a flag around the field. He was selected as MVP of the World Series for the Sox.

On July 21, 2004, from his spot in left-center field, Manny inexplicably made a diving play to cut off a relay throw from center fielder Johnny Damon, allowing David Newhan of the Orioles to score on an inside-the-park home run.

This event is widely considered by many fans of Red Sox Nation to be the most popular Manny moment.

In 2005, Manny once again expressed a desire to be traded and threatened not to show up for Spring Training.

On July 18, 2005, Ramirez disappeared into the "Green Monster" during a visit to the mound by pitching coach Dave Wallace with two outs in the top of the sixth inning.

When pitcher Wade Miller was ready to resume pitching, Ramirez was nowhere to be found.

In 2006, he hit his 450th home run and got his 2,000 career hit.

In 2007, Manny had a below average season, hitting only 20 home runs. But he was great in the postseason as the Sox went on the once again win the World Series.

So far this season, Manny has hit his 500th career home run. But he has also had physical altercations with teammate Kevin Youkilis and Red Sox traveling secretary Jack McCormick. He has been seen talking on a cell phone during a pitching change.

On July 15, 2008, Manny drew the wrath of Red Sox owner John Henry for comments made to the Boston Herald, where he hinted that team management had not been up front with him in regards to upcoming contract negotiations.

Henry responded angrily the following day, saying Manny was a critical part of the Sox's 2004 and 2007 world championships, and that the team always kept Manny in the loop.

On the one hand, he is a great hitter and a sure-fire future Hall of Famer. But he can also be...well, Manny.

So, do the Sox pick up his $20 million option for next year? I think they will, but only time will tell. Hitters like Ramirez don't grow on trees, but the way he acts sometimes, you'd think he was up a tree.

While the Sox struggle to decide whether to keep Jason Varitek because of what he's meant to the team character-wise and as a leader, despite declining offensive production, Manny's attributes are somewhat different.

You might say that Manny's future is in his own hands. If he stays healthy and productive, and can stay out of further trouble, he will be a Red Sox for at least one more year.

For while it's true that Manny Ramirez started his career in Cleveland, it's hard to envision him playing anywhere else but Beantown. Still, that's a heck of a lot of money on the table, so my advice to Manny is to be "Manny the great hitter", not "Manny the goof".

Despite the trade requests, I think Manny desperately wants to stay in Boston. Come to think of it, he'd better clean up his act, or his next Manny moment might be in New York with Omar Minaya.