Sox: We're not Competing on Tex

Whether he's to be believed or not, Red Sox CEO John Henry said that if it comes down to money, his team will not be able to compete for free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira. After meeting with Teixeira and his agent Scott Boras last night, Henry said, "We met with Mr. Teixeira and were very much impressed with him. After hearing about his other offers, however, it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor."

Of course you can't believe everything you hear/say, especially from a team owner. The Angels, Nationals, and Orioles are all ready to pony up big money, so don't feel too bad for Tex if the Sox don't come through.

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Manny Being...an Ex-Red Sox?

The Boston Red Sox have put up with a lot of Manny Ramirez being himself over the years, but no matter how many home runs he hits or how many runs he drives in, his latest exploits may drive him right out of Boston.

Last month Man-child shoved travelling secretary Jack McCormick to the ground in a dispute over tickets. There was the in-dugout dispute with Kevin Youkilis and now Manny has taken a shot at the Red Sox ownership over contract negotiations. The Red Sox hold $20 million options on Ramirez for 2009 and 2010, but they prefer to sign their professional hitter to a new deal and forget about those high priced options. Apparently Manny has not liked the way things have gone so far and let the Boston Herald know it.

"I want no more [expletive] where they tell you one thing and behind your back they do another thing," Ramirez told the newspaper in regards to his future contract status. "I think I've earned that respect, for a team to sit down with me and tell me this is what we want, this is what we want to do."

Owner John Henry is not amused.

"I find remarks that we have been anything other than completely straightforward to be personally offensive," Henry said. "Manny has been a crucial part of two world championships. I do not believe we would have won either without him. He has never played a more important role than he has thus far this year."

What's the old saying? "Don't shit where you eat". Someone should tell Manny.

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Catching Up

So here's some of what what went on since last Thursday, which we probably slept through at the time.

Don't speak out of line, punk

Hank Steinbrenner and John Henry had their little goofy slap fight last week, which for the most part was in good fun. Then one of the Red Sox resident goons (we don't mean like hockey goon, but have you seen this guy's face?), Jon Papelbon had to open his big mouth.

I don't know if he's trying to stir things up or not. I sure as hell don't care, because he sure as hell hasn't stepped foot on a baseball field. He needs to just stick to pencil-pushing, I guess."

Well Hank couldn't let the little pissant off without a shot back of course (can you tell yet how much we don't like Papelbon?)

"Being insulted by Papelbon is like being attacked by a mouse."

"John Henry and I traded a couple of jabs good-naturedly," Steinbrenner told the Post. "So now, all of a sudden, this player, this 20-something kid who really doesn't know his way in the world, comes out with a personal insult. There's no excuse for that.

"It was nothing personal against John [Henry], nothing personal against Larry [Lucchino], nothing personal against [Terry] Francona, nothing personal against the team or the fans. It was just a general comment that is the truth. I respect the Red Sox and their fans, but the Yankees are the most popular team in American sports. Ask Jerry Jones in Dallas, he'll tell you that. That's why they want to do business with us. So it's just a fact."

Okay, maybe not Hank's best work, but not bad. Papelbon tried to let it go, but couldn't resist.

"Whatever, dude," Papelbon said. "Obviously by that comment he's trying to start something. I'm not gonna get into it back and forth. I mean, I said that because I honestly believe it. People nowadays, whether it be reporters, ESPN analysts, guys that don't play the game, don't understand what it's about. What the grind is about, what the clubhouse is like.

"I don't know why he would take it that way. I'm saying, guys that have never been on the field don't have the right to speak their mind about things that they don't know about. I'm not insulted by what he said."

Whatever, dude.

By the way, that's just about the exact face Yogi made when he grumbled at us at his museum. He really did.

Source: Hartford Courant

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One Nation, not Under Red Sox

Hank Steinbrenner backed off his statements that were released the other day concerning Red Sox Nation. Hammerin' Hank said the whole thing was in good fun (we chose to believe it wasn't and wish he had stuck to his guns) concerning both ESPN and the Red Sox. We all know how the Peter Gammons led influence most certainly did build up the 3rd world power.

Sox owner John Henry, played the whole thing off humorously, voluntarily signing up the Jr. Boss as an official card carrying member of said nation. (We still haven't gotten over the MLB conspiracy that lead to Henry owning the Red Sox and the league running the Expos/Nationals). Hank respectfully declined Henry's invitation (you let us down Hank; should have told him to stick it) and told of the Steinbrenner's respect and admiration for their fellow owner. (Damn you all to Hell!)

"John used to be an owner of the Yankees and he's a great guy. My dad always loved the guy. I love him. Hal loves him. And he's done a tremendous job with the Red Sox. My only point was simple and that is that the Yankees brand is the biggest in the country. And everybody knows that. Obviously it's Yankees Nation. That's not meant as a cut to the Red Sox. In truth. I'm just not saying that to be nice - but John Henry has done an unbelievable job with the Red Sox brand.

Hank then hinted that the ownership of the two teams could be doing a business deal down the road. SAY WHAT? The new boss wouldn't specify what the business venture would be, but did rule out a super TV network (The "Empire" Network").

"Every Red Sox fan is and Yankee fan is. I can tell you this, we've got a lot in common, too. The Yankees ownership and Red Sox ownership have a lot in common and have a lot of common interests. God, I hate to scare Red Sox or Yankee fans, but you never know we might end up being partners in the future outside of baseball. We have a lot in common. We have a lot in common. In baseball and outside of baseball. Even though the rivalry will always be the greatest rivalry in American sports, you can say that the Yankees and Red sox ownerships are definitely friends. No question."

Just when we were totally feeling queasy, Hank brought us back to life like a glass of cool water.

Steinbrenner reiterated, "I'm not gonna join Red Sox Nation - honorary or not. I'll respond to that later. Trust me, I'm never gonna join Red Sox Nation."

That's more like it!

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