Manny is money

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Some guys just know how to put on a show.

We're not talking about guys like Nick Green, either. We're talking about the superstars of Major League Baseball who know how to treat the fans to unbelievable excitement.

Did you see what Manny Ramirez did last night for the Dodgers?

First, Manny doesn't even start because he got drilled with a fastball on the hand the night before so the Dodgers kept him out of the starting lineup for precautionary reasons.

Then, is a big situation, manager Joe Torre calls on his future Hall of Famer (we can debate that too if you want) to pinch hit with the bases juiced in the sixth inning.

And what does Manny do in front of the home fans who were going absolute bananas when he was announced over the loudspeaker?

Manny jumps on the first offering from Reds reliever Nick Masset and hammers a grand slam to left field to help the Dodgers win, 6-2.

Some guys just have the knack of delivering in the clutch, while others simply crumble when the spotlight is on them.

We all know Manny is clutch and he continues to prove it time and time again. So much for the stupid ideas that his career was a complete joke because he was busted and suspended for 50 games for violating the drug policy earlier this season. 

Manny is just one of those special hitters that doesn't come around very often. 

You'd be crazy not to pay money to see him rake, or even watch the circus that is Manny in the outfield. He's special, bottom line, and you can't take that away from him.

Who would you pay to see play and why?

Sox kick off trade season with insignificant trades

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The Boston Red Sox offense has been sluggish lately, as they've average 2.16 runs per game since the All Star break. Jason Bay has struggled for nearly two months, Kevin Youkilis is now hitting under .300, and JD Drew's average has sunk to .233. What they need is a shot in the arm. What they got yesterday is more like a pin prick than a full fledge shot.

The Red Sox picked up 1B Adam LaRoche from the Pittsburgh Pirates and OF/1B/DH/strikeout artist Chris Duncan from the St. Louis Cardinals. Realistically, the Sox didn't give up much for both players, except if you count nearly $13 million remaining on Julio Lugo's contract, but did they get enough to bolster the offense and take over the division lead? No! Adam LaRoche is a decent hitter, who has a history of great second halves. At this point in the season, LaRoche has still been struggling. He does offer decent depth at the corner infield position for the Sox if Lowell goes down for a period of time.
Now on to the acquisition of Chris Duncan. I do have to say the Red Sox are very lucky they got anything for Julio Lugo. If Duncan's head is on right, he can still hit home runs, but strikes out more than Adolpho Gonzalez at a Las Vegas Cat House. Duncan is 1 for his last 31 and has struck out 27% of the time in his career. Ouch!. What the Red Sox need is a more substantial bat to help stabilize this lineup. JD Drew is having another terrible season, Lowell has been hitting, but you never know how his hip will hold up, and When does David Ortiz fall back to earth and Jason Bay bust out of his funk?

It now looks like the Sox will not trade prize prospect Clay Bucholz, but why not dangle him for Victor Martinez, or pick up another corner outfielder to take over at bats from JD Drew? The Red Sox are still a very good team, but the AL East is a three team race. In my opinion, they Sox are in the worst shape to take the division.

What do you think?