Basking in a New Era
The talking heads seem to have decided that there is no possible way on God’s green Earth that the Red Sox can replace FUTURE HALL OF FAMER Manny Ramirez. Those talking heads don’t watch baseball or the Red Sox on a daily basis, so you’ll have to excuse me if I don’t feel that worried.
Either way, the Jason Bay era began in Boston tonight. There have been no monstrous home runs off the Coke bottles, no bathroom breaks in the Green Monster or frozen ropes to right-center field. But Bay has done the types of things that convince me he can be Ramirez’s overall equal, if not quite the same devastating hitter.
Bay has been on base twice, even going from first to third with ease on a J.D. Drew “double.” He has made a couple of smooth catches on tough liners that maybe Manny would have made (or maybe not), but would have at least had me holding my breath the whole way.
I will miss watching Manny take aim at the Monster, but I got to watch him for 7 1/2 seasons. That’s life. Time to move on and enjoy Jason Bay, who seems like he’ll be something to watch in his own way.
I think this is the right move for the Red Sox long-term. Bay may not be a better hitter, but he is a better all around player and is much younger. As much as I love Manny, he made absolutely clear he was not interested in playing in Boston any longer. So long and farewell.