On Friday, I ripped Manny for whining about his lack of privacy. I told him to move out of town, but I certainly didn't want him to leave the Red Sox. Break up the best 3-4 hitter combination in baseball? No way. The All Star Game couldn't even do that.

Though expensive, Manny produces far to much for this team to move him, especially when like Manny, they reside on top floor.

So, I was very surprised, shocked and scared when I heard the rumors - Manny could be dealt in a three-way trade. The Sox would have gotten Mike Cameron from the Mets and Aubrey Huff from the Devil Rays. Some reports also included Tampa Bay's closer Danys Baez.

I didn't know how to feel. I looked to my wife, "They can't trade Manny." Trying to talk myself out of whatever feeling I was having. I was certainly confused.

She responded, "Good riddance." I was shocked.

My wife loves Manny, loves him. When we went to the ALDS in 2003 she was ecstatic to be sitting in left field. She couldn't believe how close he was. She was always telling me how cute he was, he always had that smile you see. She was always asking me about his personal life, perhaps hoping he'd be available. I'd remind her that the real problem was she was married. She'd wear a t-shirt with RAMIREZ 24 on the back. There were times when heck I'd be down right jeolous.

Yet here she was telling me the Sox should get rid of him. She did the same with Pedro. I started to question her loyalty, but she insisted she had not become a Yankee fan. But she was no longer a Manny fan - at least for the time being.

I eventually got over my shock.

She must have felt cheated on. Afterall, Manny asked to be traded from the team she, we, love - the World Champion Boston Red Sox. The team well on it's way back to the post season for another round.

On Sunday, I read Steve Solloway's column. I wished I had not written those words on Friday (Solloway has a way to make a person feel guilty).

But has the trading deadline passed Sunday. Again, I was overwhelmed. I was awestruck.

I felt cheated on. The Red Sox wasted lots of time and energy on not trading Manny. In the meantime the deadline passed and Boston ends up with yet another washed-up outfielder - Jose Cruz Jr., who is on his third or fourth team this year.

Did Boston address it's need for pitching? Not one bit.

There is one good thing about all this. The Red Sox dangled enough lines to enough teams that Boston stopped anyone from making significant improvements. I guess we all went for the bait.

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