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I thought you were going to see racoons and snakes...

Rob-


2 questions - first, when Wily Mo signed his deal earlier this year, Francona made a comment that made it seem as if it would be difficult for him to get 400 AB's this season short of an injury to our starting OF'ers. Does it seem odd to you that since he should get the bulk of the time not played by Manny/Coco/JD that 400 AB's is a longshot?



2nd, is Dan S. as big a jerk in real life as he comes across in print?

One wonders how his car(s) did at the AC auction.

In your previous post you opened the floor to questions about minor leaguers..... How is Jeff Natale looking? He can definitely hit. He doesn't seem to get the attention that alot of other prospects do since he was drafted so low -- Comment? Moreover, second basemen aren't seen as a must-have commodity -- witness the Sox revolving door at the position; Giles getting cut in Atlanta; Ronny Belliard barely making a major league squad. Do you think we'll ever see Jeff Nat at Fenway? In the near term, does it look like a starting job is secure for him in Portland? How about the fact that he took BP from Schilling? -- I know Schil beaned him in the head in spring training last year....

You have a unique opportunity to do something right here and call out your peers for the totally unprofessional and pathetic treatment of Manny's agents this morning. If you don't take that opportunity, well, you're no better than they are. That would be sad because some many of us think you are.


A nation waits.

I haven't read all the comments every day, but this is the second time I've seen Bradford get called out for being "No better than" somebody else.


What the hell is wrong with you people? Bradford is a great writer giving you the most current info in a very pleasing format. He does so in a manner that is respectful of the players, managers, and fans.



Bradford is not the spokesman for all of the media, nor is he the judge or jury.



Please enjoy what the man has to say about BASEBALL. I'm eating up every word. And I don't want to waste any precious Bradford words by DEMANDING he calls out his own colleagues.



Please continue talking baseball, Mr. Bradford. I'm checking your pages many times every day. Thank you for your efforts. Keep up the great work.

If I were in Bradford's shoes, I'd be embarrassed by a lot of the goings-on in the Boston media regarding the Sox, and specifically Manny. That said, it's certainly not his job to call them out. IMHO their own behavior is example enough. QED.


Thanks from here too, Rob. Though calling any baseball reporter "great" is a tad hyperbolic. No offense. ;-)

Regarding the "12-year-old" and "meal ticket" questions, Dale and Holley on WEEI identified the offender as radio reporter John Miller. While it appears as though he wasn't the only one to ask an odd if not inappropriate question (McAdam asked the question about better communication with the Red Sox, which, frankly, wasn't that bad), I think this generalization that all or most of the Red Sox beat reporters are disrespectful boneheads is disingenuous at best. Don't bust on all of the reports just because a few act like asses. I have covered these sorts of events in a previous life and, believe me, there is an ass in every crowd.
And beazer, regarding the MacMullen-Ramirez exchange, you do not know which version, if either, is accurate, and you have no context on the exchange. So reserve judgment on that.

hell of a day to take of

Leave Manny alone! I'm sick of hearing about him. We all know he runs on his own schedule, but lets be honest, he has EARNED it. Not just becuase he performs every year, but because he works harder than anyone else, watches more film, and spends more time in the cages than just about anyone out there.


If he were an office worker, he'd be the guy that shows up at 10, takes long lunches, and chats with the cleaning people at 7:45 PM. He can come late becuase he makes up for it in other places.

The inappropriate questions at the press conference only serve to stir the pot and further ruffle manny's feathers (if he has feathers!}. I CAN'T WAIT for the season to begin and we can get on with the business of baseball. If manny gets his hits and rbis, who'll care when he showed up for spring training?

//And beazer, regarding the MacMullen-Ramirez exchange, you do not know which version, if either, is accurate, and you have no context on the exchange. So reserve judgment on that.//


Because the AP has every reason to lie in order to make Manny look good?



Sorry, I don't buy it. I'll believe the info put forth from a neutral writer submitting a story for the AP than from biased writers in Boston looking for any reason to stick another knife in Manny's back.



It was, indeed, Jonny Miller who asked the questions in which he called Manny a meal ticket and a 12 year-old. And I'm, frankly, a little stunned. Didn't think HE was one of the nasty ones. Live and learn.

Here's Jackie's take on the Manny incident as written in a Q&A; she did with Globe readers:


"I would say manny asked "curtly" that both Dan Shaughnessy and myself (we were both leaning against his locker, unaware that he was approaching) give him a little space. I wouldn't call it polite, but I wouldn't make a big deal about it, either."



I have to agree with her. Doesn't sound like it's a big deal.

Rob,


Any word on how Matsuzaka looked pitching to Manny?

Not to change the subject from Manny, but how's Tim Wakefield doing? I've barely heard anything about him since camp opened. I just wondered if he feels 100% after his rib injury last year and/or if he changed anything in his offseason routines because of it. And of course I want to hear if he's anxious to rebound from his lost season too! :)

I will say this one last thing on the Manny manners: Regardless of the truth, I really don't think it was worth reporting.

Rob


Back to Wakefield for a sec, has he mentioned or is there any word that this is going to be his last season. Also what is his contract like. If this is his last season do u see him staying with the organization after he retires. Thanx

Rob, WTF? We need an update!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wakefield has perpetual one year club options, for 4mm/y if memory serves me correctly. As long as the knuckle keeps dancing, the club will keep him pitching.