Return of Papi

We were only able to take 1 game from the Yanks over the weekend.

We lost the first game 1-0. Beckett pitched all he could but our bats could do nothing against Joba and Manny sat the game out with a sore knee for the second straight game. The biggest news of the game though was the return of Big Papi. He went 1-4 but is was nice to see him back in the lineup. What is up with Joba (the Hutt) and Youk? Joba (the Hutt) threw another one at Youk that was right at his head and Youk had to be restrained by the home plate umpire and both sides received warnings. Now normally, that is not a big deal, but last August at Yankee Stadium, Joba threw back-to-back pitches that went behind Youkilis. Joba was suspended for two games. Three weeks ago at Yankee Stadium, Chamberlain threw one up and in on Youkilis. There is clearly a history here of Joba going after Youk. Varitek said after the game that Joba's pitches to Youk bothered the team. You know the Yanks are always talking about the type of command Chamberlain has, isn't strange that all of his overly inside pitches against Boston seem to occur with Youkilis at the plate. Even Francona stated, "He has great command until Youk gets in there. I don't know [if there was intent]. I would not have that answer." Something needs to be done to Joba the Hutt. We need to bring in a pitcher for the sole purpose of hitting Jeter and Arod. It is getting hard to put up with Joba anymore. I can't stand him.

On Saturday we lost 10-3 and Wakefield got shelled for 6 runs in 5.1 innings. It was good to see Papi and Manny in the same lineup again even though Manny went 0-4. From what the reports are saying, something is going on with Manny - they are calling it "some kind of disconnect between the player and the club". Evidently, his injured knee wasn't injured and he has been unhappy about the ownership not doing something about his contract. The part that mad me sad was that in the first inning when they announced Manny to the crowd, there were more boos than cheers. I heard that if Manny made himself unavailable for this game, he would be disciplined or even suspended. Something is going on with Manny and I sure hope they can work out whatever it is. Maybe the Manny era is coming to an end. Oh - and about the game, the only thing good I can see from this game was Arod getting hit. It was about time.

Game 3 we won 9-2 as both Papi and Manny had big games. Combined, they went 5-9 with 4 runs and 5 rbi's. The big news though was the comments Manny made about wanting to be traded and that he would waive his no trade clause. He said, "I am tired of them and they are tired of me". Manny said he doesn't think we will trade him because, "they know what they have in me." It was almost like he was daring us to trade him. I have now done a 180 and will have to say that Manny has to go. Once he thinks he is bigger than the team, he's got to go. I will miss him if he does, but I am now beginning to think it will be better for the team.

Now three at home against the Angels and then the trade deadline. Something might be brewing...