So Long Manny

Well it has happened. Manny is gone. I don't really know how to feel about it yet, maybe it was something that needed to be done. It looked like he was ready to go. I still remember his first at bat for us him hitting a home run. That was the beginning of the Manny Era. He helped us to 2 world series wins which is 2 more than I ever dreamed of witnessing. With him in the lineup, I always felt we always had a chance.

But anymore, it seemed he didn't like being around. Over the last couple of weeks, I guess I could see it coming, but down deep I wished it wouldn't. Manny's number 24 was the first 'real' jersey I ever bought my son. He was one at the time and as much as my wife doesn't believe me, his first word was actually "Manny" and not "Mommy" as she had wanted. My son learned the "Manny wave" before he could talk and we even learned the "Manny-Papi" handshake as our own personal handshake. He learned to swing the bat by watching Manny in the batters box. I don't think he understands that Manny is gone yet. This is the part of baseball that I wish I could keep him away from.

The saddest part for me is my daughter who just turned one will never know who Manny was. Like my son who will be five next month, has no idea who Nomar is. He doesn't even know Nomar used to play for us. I am sad that in five years, she will have no memory of Manny.

Thanks Manny for all your goofy moments over the years, and for all your great ones too. I will always remember your home run against the Angels last year in the playoffs where you just stood in the batters box and raised your arms after the ball left the yard. Thanks for being a big part of my family, even though you don't even know me. Maybe it was all of our "destination". So long...