Apparently, Manny Ramirez is not expected to participate in the World Baseball Classic afterall. As part of the deal allowing Manny to report late, the Red Sox got some assurances that he would in fact be available for that three-week period.

I'll believe it when I see it. It would certainly make sense. In fact, it's better for the Sox; I'd gladly give up six days for seventeen.

Ramirez should make that news public soon, if indeed it is going to happen.

I'm sure the Dominican Republic's representatives won't be happy - first A-Rod now Manny.

Speaking of the "Classic," I'm totally against it. While it is great to have players represent their countries, I believe they have an event called the Olympic Games for that.

Last I knew, the International Olympic Committee allows professional athletes to participate. However, since The Games are held in August, the schedule conflicts with Major League Baseball's regular season.

Pro teams have got to be a bit weary of letting their players go during spring training let alone in mid-August. Eventually some big name will get hurt, tainting the events.

I'm also bummed their isn't an Irish team. Aren't there any players from Irish descent playing in the Bigs? This may explain why my own career was cut short.

Without an Irish team in the mix, the U.S. should win this event hands down. With Roger Clemens, A-Rod, Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon, Derek Lee, Brad Lidge, Mark Texieria, Joe Nathan, Dontrelle Willis, how can they lose? Read more about the U.S. team.

Since, I'm forever supporting the underdog, I'm rooting for Netherlands. I mean really, what chance do they have - even with the Brave's Andruw Jones?

The Sox have another prima donna on their hands. First Manny demands a trade, then turns down the only available option and now he's at it again.

This time, reports say he will not report to spring training camp until March 1, almost a full week after the rest of the team MUST report.

While I believe Manny will undoubtedly be ready for the year by way of a personal trainer, I simply can't understand why the Red Sox would allow such behavior from one of its star performers.

Maybe I answered my own question: Star player, RBI King, disgruntled athlete. I'm sure these roles all played a factor.

However, this year it's especially important to establish team chemistry early. The team needs to perform as a unit with each individual contributing his piece to that puzzle. Manny completes the picture.

Add the fact that Manny is participating in the World Baseball Classic beginning March 3 and he will basically miss a full month of spring training.

While he is THAT good, no one is above the team. That's why the team said its good-byes to Nomar and Pedro. Their actions like Ramirez' didn't gel.

What kind of message is the organization sending to its "new" players? What kind of grief with Manny's action cause?

So far, the team's other stars, the outspoken Curt Schilling and David Ortiz, aren't bothered according to the Boston Herald.

I am.

A sidenote: According to the LA Times and Orlando Cabrera, Ramirez was very much interested in joining the Angels.

Maybe he's taking the time to structure his own deal.

What do you think of Ramirez' actions?

That is all that separates us from the first day of spring training camp. One day left before we can start seeing some actual results of this offseason movement. One day before I turn 10 again, hoping and praying that my team - The 2004 World Series Champion Red Sox - return to the days of glory.

Today MSNBC's Ron Borges wrote about the potential the Sox have going into the 2006 season. He had a lot of questions that surely only the players and time will be able to answer. One thing is for sure, we disagree on one thing. He states in the article that Damon had more power than 26-year-old Coco Crisp. This is simply not true. Damon had only one year when he hit more than 14 home runs. Crisp has had only played two years and both years he's hit more than 14. And if anyone believes projections Coco again should hit 16 and Damon 13. Coco also got his homers batting primarily in the eight-hole with no protection. It seems likely that he can at least continue his streak atop Boston's order.

I will agree with Borges that Keith Foulke remains a question mark and perhaps the key to the whole season. On the plus side, Foulke has already reported to camp, according to the Providence Journal. He threw for 13 minutes to start his spring regiment. Foulke has got to come up big, although I would hate to put any more pressure on him for fear it may throw him off.

Today I read in a Newsday report, published in the Portland Press Herald, that Johnny Damon simply can't wait to join his new team. He's excited by the possibilities.

He also stated, "The reaction on the street has been overwhelming, and it hasn't been just the Yankee fans. It's been Boston fans, too. They're happy with what I gave them, and the Yankee fans, they're happy I'm not in Boston anymore."

Though I can't help but wonder what street Damon heard the sentiments, I finally have closure.

Yeah, I'm happy with what Damon brought to Boston's leadoff spot. His table-setting ability put a knife through the hearts of New Yorkers in 2004. No doubt, he'll forever be a part of that historic comeback and championship team.
And he'll forever be "The Caveman."

But now that he wears the pinstripes, cut the hair, shaved, and took the money, all I see is greed and arrogance. It's sad really. I mean he was the gritty, hard-working face of the Red Sox. Now he is fully conformed, in search of acceptance. And not just from Yankee players and fans, but from Red Sox Nation.

He's become THE story. Let's be clear Johnny. The Red Sox didn't decide your fate. You decided to leave.

So to every announcer who will cover the Red Sox-Yankee rivalry: Instead of referencing his two home runs in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS, let's hear "Damon, who decided a 4-year contract with the Red Sox for $40 million wasn't enough money to warrant a return to the fans who continually forgave him for his terrible throwing arm during his four-year stretch with Boston, (take a breath) bats leadoff today for the Bronx Bombers."

It's a lot to say; he'll need a new nickname. Too bad Giambino is taken.

My fellow fans, today I sit at my computer terminal encouraged by recent organizational changes. As a result of those changes, I have confidence in writing the state of the Boston Red Sox is strong.

The team has built up its defense. Adding centerfielder Covelli Crisp, Alex Gonzalez and numerous pitchers both in the starting corp and in the reserves (bullpen). The Boston Red Sox have also returned a great ambassador of the game to its front office. Theo Epstein's presence brings certain confidence to Red Sox Nation.

But my fellow fans, lots of work lies ahead. It won't be easy, it never is. But Boston's fans are resolute. They have overcomed many adversities in the past and have remained so.

And if, as the Hartford Courant reports, Johnny Damon can find closure, then so to should Red Sox Nation. We must learn from past mistakes in order to succeed in the future.

With Damon in mind, let's compare Boston's troops to the evil-doers and to those foes to the north.