A lot of the media buzz today is centered around the mystery of what type of reception Manny will receive from the fans, and what type of reception he should receive.

Here are my thoughts on the matter:

Look, I’m not saying there’s a right or wrong answer. Actually, screw that.  That’s exactly what I’m saying.

If you are at the stadium, or in your living room, or in an automobile with the radio on, and you boo Manny during his first at-bat tonight…you are wrong. It really is that simple.  Your opinion is incorrect.  This is what President Obama might call “a teaching moment”.  Grab a chair and pay attention.

You have to ask yourself, as a fan, what brings you more happiness: the events that happen on the field, or those that happen off it?  Now, if for some odd reason, your answer is the latter, then fine, go ahead and throw Duracel batteries at Manny from the bleachers tonight.  However, my guess is that 99.999% of Red Sox fans (even those primed to shower Manny with boos) are more interested in the win-loss column than anything that happens in the clubhouse.  If this is the case, then you would be dishonest to yourself by booing.  Your boos would be nothing more than a cartoon sound effect, something that you don’t really believe, but what the hell, it’s fun to feign outrage at something we know or care very little about.

I know what you’re thinking.  “It’s not black and white”.  Yes, it is black and white.  It’s as black as the ink used to print Manny’s league leading 43 HRs in the 2004 baseball almanac.  It’s as white as the gleam off of two World Series trophies.

The line is drawn.   Are you a fan, or a poseur?  Your actions tonight will determine this.

2 Responses to “A Brief Word On Manny’s Return”

1. KenJr says:

   6/18/2010 at 9:38 pm

   I’m not going to boo him, but I’m not cheering for him either. Manny was a paid mercenary and did what he was paid to do. By doing what he was paid handsomely to do, he helped the Red Sox win two WS titles, and for that I am eternally grateful. I know your going to say all players are paid mercenaries, but Manny did something to the Red Sox you don’t see many players do; he quit. He quit on the Sox in the middle of a pennant race because the Sox weren’t going to give him what he wanted (more guaranteed $). Don’t you believe that his quitting on the Red Sox affected their performance on the field?
2. Jimmy says:

   6/19/2010 at 9:29 am

   Fair enough. The folks who remained silent I didn’t have an issue with. And to your point that Manny disrupting the clubhouse had an effect in 2008, it may have. However, I feel that the tumultuous times shouldn’t outweigh the monstrous HoF numbers and post-season accomplishments I posted above.

   After hearing the reaction last night…I was disappointed. Booing a guy like Manny upon his return – that’s Yankee fan behavior. The country was watching, and we came off looking ungrateful and entitled. Just an ugly black eye for Red Sox fandom.
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   6/23/2010 at 11:21 am

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