I got somethin’ that makes me wanna shout. I got somethin’ that tells me what it’s all about. Huh, I got soul and I’m super bad! -James Brown
Public Service Announcement: OK, here we go! The World Series. The World Series at Fenway Park. Like my main man Bart Giamatti always says: “As I grew up, I knew that as a building (Fenway Park) was on the level of Mount Olympus, the Pyramid at Giza, the nation’s capitol, the czar’s Winter Palace, and the Louvre — except, of course, that it is better than all those inconsequential places.” Cowabunga!
As the oldest of all current Major League Baseball stadiums, Fenway has been home to many a legend.
- Home to Teddy Ballgame. The Kid. The greatest hitter who ever lived.
- Home to Yaz. Caaaaaarl Yastrzemski….Caaaaaarl Yastrzemski….Caaaaaarl Yastrzemski….The man we call Yaz. We love him!
- Home to Lynn and Rice. The Goldust Twins.
- Home to Joe Cronin. The original Mr. Clutch. He’s not your everyday-type prankster. He’s Joe C, the original gangster.
- Home to Carlton Fisk. There it goes! It’s a long drive…if it stays fair…home run!
- Home to Wade Boggs.
- Home to Pedro Martinez.
- As much as it makes me want to puke up in my mouth, home to Roger Clemens.
And yes, Fenway Park is home to Manny Ramirez. So, where does Manny fit in all this? What is his place? If you ask me, he’s right at the top. A number one. Top of the list. King of the hill.
Heresy you say? Blasphemy? Apostasy? I say, free your mind and the rest will follow. Be colorblind, don’t be so shallow. I’ve heard the criticisms. You lollygag the ball around the outfield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes you? A lollygagger! People take offense to his posing after titanic moon shots. People can shut the hell up.
All I know is, for the second time in four years, the Sox snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and played themselves into the World Series. Played themselves into the World Series thanks in large part to Mr. Ramirez. Just look at game seven.
Manny bangs in the first run with a hard grounder that left Indians shortstop Jhonny Peralta looking utterly foolish. He then made the defensive play of the game. Playing the Green Monster like nobody’s business. Takin’ care of business. Fielding a Kenny Lofton line drive off the wall and fires the ball so fast to second base that it fooled everybody. That play right there was the ballgame. It took all the breath out of the Cleveland Indians. You’re every song I sing. You’re the music that I play. And you take my breath away.
And that’s just it. Manny is the music the Red Sox play. You can say he doesn’t care. But this Red Sox baseball team is a team that understands losing ain’t the be all end all. It’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s nothing that should get you down. I’ve been beat up, I’ve been thrown out but I’m not down, I’m not down. I’ve been shown up, but I’ve grown up, and I’m not down, I’m not down. And that is the Red Sox mantra. That is how they win. Hit me with your best shot! Why don’t you hit me with your best shot! Hit me with your best shot! Fire away!
So say what you will about Manny. Whatever gives you a thrill about Manny. Sing like the Barber of Seville about Manny. But know this, in this new era of Boston Red Sox baseball, this winning era of Boston Red Sox baseball, Manny is the straw that stirs the drink. Roll Sox roll!
Public Acknowledgements: Charles Pierce, Ice-T, Frank Sinatra, En Vogue, Bull Durham, BTO, Rex Smith, Clash, Pat Benatar and Reggie Jackson
Peace out homies. Six Two and Even!
Need More? Boston Red Sox,Manny Ramirez,MLB
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