If you missed Bill Simmons column from ESPN Page 2 on Thursday, I recommend you take some time and read his perspective on Manny Ramirez.

When Manny was traded from Boston you would think he was the anti-Christ in dreadlocks. Boston writers, as only they can, turned their back on Ramirez and started a “respect the game” campaign that painted Manny in the worst light.

When Dan Shaughnessy appeared on WGBB back in August, The Starting NYNE show had some interesting dialogue with him. The quote that stood out to me is when he said “In Boston the way you leave has an impact on you long term”. I think the Boston media has a lot to do with that and it would be a shame to see Manny’s legacy tarnished. I respect Shaughnessy as a writer, but isn’t his quote a synopsis as to what is wrong with the Boston media? Lets not forget, later in the interview, when asked about the NL East race he talked about the Phillies and Marlins, leaving out the Mets as if they played on Pluto. If your not part of the Boston family, or go against the family, you don’t exist.

Now you read how disgusted Shaughnessy is with the fact that Manny is having a positive experience with the Dodgers. How can you be surprised? The Red Sox ownership and media have been trying to run Manny out of town since 2003. Lets not forget that he was put on waivers and could be had for free during that winter. They nearly traded him to the Mets in 2005. The fact that Manny stuck around for the 2007 title is probably more due to Tampa Bay’s greed and indecision during that deadline deal then Boston having a change of heart. How can you blame him for looking back and questioning how he was treated?

Yes Manny is immature and should be given grief for how he acted towards the end of his tenure there. Part of that charm is what makes him such a great player. I bet Scott Boras had as much, if not more, to do with how things ended. Lets be fair, its not like the Boston front office hasn’t had its share of hi jinks and drama. This is the same team that saw its General Manager quit and run out the back door in a Gorilla suit. And Manny is the weird one? Have you ever heard any outlet in Boston criticize the Red Sox? Maybe, just like Simmons says, its because they own WEEI, NESN, and WRKO. I didn’t know that the newspapers, and certain reporters at ESPN were under their contract as well.

If Manny is the guy with the black hat in this movie, then Boras and Red Sox management are his sidekicks. If anyone believes the cries of the Boston media just remember how Johnny Damon was demonized after he took the Yankees contract. Playing there is great, but if you go against the “family” there is no turning back.

So Boston is left to rue the “Manny Era” a time where they won two World Series, saw him win an World Series MVP, and drove in well over 100 runs every season but 2007. They will learn this year that Jason Bay is no where near an adequate replacement for Manny. It will sting more when the Dodgers win the World Series, perhaps even on Boston’s field. What will Red Sox nation (and that includes the Boston media) do watching Manny hug Joe Torre and sip champagne into the wee hours on the sacred grounds of Fenway?

What will hurt more next season? Manny returning to LA? Or perhaps watching him roam Citi Field, or worse, Pinstripes? Will the fans blame Manny for that? Or will they look at the real culprits the media and management team that indoctrinated them against one of the greatest sluggers in baseball history.

Since 2003 you have been asking for this. Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it.

Tags: Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Manny Ramirez