This Just In...

Manny’s weird.

No. Seriously. He is.

Apparently, he and Francona just met the press together, practically sitting in each other's laps, with Millar "translating" Ramirez for reporters.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2120933

Is it just me, or does Millar seem to be steadily steering himself towards an SNL tryout after his career ends? Or some form of acting career? I wouldn't be shocked to see him on "Last Comic Standing" during the off season (assuming the show's still even on the air. I've never actually seen it).

But anyway, I don't know why the Sox even entertained moving Manny. Unless this stuff is, behind the scenes, much more disruptive and cancerous than outward appearances let on, why even blink? Every few months, like clockwork, Manny's unhappy. He asks for a trade. He stays in Boston. And before you know it, he's back to shaking his dreadlocks and smiling that slightly demented grin. And in the meantime, he never stops knocking in runs. So what's the problem? Unless they really want his salary off the books, or again, it's much more distracting than it seems, let the guy vent.

"That's just _____ being ______" has become one of the most overused, clichéd and ridiculous statements in sports when it comes to managers, agents and owners excusing star players' behavior. And I hate it as much as the next guy. I'm always thinking, "Yeah, it is _____ being ______. It also just so happens that _______ is a &*%$." And who knows, maybe Manny is a &*%$. I really don't know. I've never met him before, and don't know a ton about him, outside of bizarre statements.

But in Manny's case, he's become a parody of himself when it comes to expressing his "unhappiness." When it happens this often, this regularly, and so randomly inspired, it's essentially like dealing with a toddler's displeasure. You simply let the kid tucker himself out throwing a tantrum, and before you know it, he'll be watching Spongebob on TV, happy as a clam. Manny's just a rather wealthy three year old with one heck of a swing. Treat him as such, and in two weeks, it'll be like this never happened.

Until it happens again.  But really, who cares?