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Today's Manny file: Will he play?

The word in today's Boston Herald is that Manny Ramirez will actually travel to San Francisco to play in this year's All-Star Game. While reporter John Tomase had no quotes from Ramirez himself (who does?), he reports that multiple teammates say Manny will play. Ramirez skipped the midsummer classic in 2000, 2003 and 2006. That's why Scott Miller, on CBS Sportsline, lists the possible reasons Ramirez might beg out of the game this year ("Sore knee? Ill relative? Hair-extensions appointment?").

On projo SoxTalk today, Sean McAdam discussed some of the factors behind Ramirez making the All-Star team while Kevin Youkilis did not. Nick Cafardo writes about the same subject in today's Boston Globe. But Rob Duca of the Cape Cod Times is just plain disgusted by the outcome.

On another note, Tony Massarotti wrote over the weekend in the Herald that while Manny's stats are down this year, he has given it a good, professional effort. One more thing about the All-Star Game: This is the first time since Ramirez has joined Boston that he did not get voted into the game by the fans.

On the other hand, it's hard to overlook the fact that Ramirez is 3 for his last 27. Still, there is chatter out there among the fandom about moving him to third in the batting order, and dropping partner-in-crime David Ortiz (2 for his last 17) to fourth. The Red Sox heavy hitters, by the way, do not exactly have glorious histories against tonight's Rangers starter, Brandon McCarthy. Where's Tim Hudson when you need him?

We saw a glimpse of the good Ramirez in the field yesterday, when he made a back-handed stop of a base hit by Ramon Vazquez, helping hold Vazquez to a single.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 1:37 PM to Projo Mannybeingmanny | Permalink