Manny Being Manny

It appears that within the next 24 hours, Manny Ramirez will be traded to the Chicago White Sox after being put on waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers. This will be the second time Manny bailed on a team fighting for the postseason. The Red Sox know all too well the entertainment of "Manny being Manny." The White Sox will find out what that really means in the near future.

Manny ran himself out of Boston despite being a fan favorite. It really seemed that he just got bored and wanted new scenery. A move to La La Land definitely provides an antidote for boredom, and he was received well by the fans immediately. Regardless of how he weaseled his way out from the shadow of the Green Monster, Manny is wildly entertaining and one of the most clutch performers at bat.

While the Boston breakup took a couple of months, Manny's relationship with LA took merely a couple of days. He returned from injury, was put on waivers, rode the bench for a few days, then seemingly intentionally had himself ejected from a pinch hitting appearance. Manny had a right to be mad, and purposefully being ejected does not leave a black mark on his career. He expected to return from the disabled list and immediately make a difference to the Dodgers' lineup. Instead, management listened to waiver offers, and kept him on the bench.

Manny's bat will be a difference maker in Chicago. His hitting in the clutch is valuable in any lineup. He may prove to be detrimental in the field, if they choose to play him there on occasion, but his bat definitely makes up for that. He is in a contract year, so the ChiSox know he'll be playing his hardest. This trade could boost them over the Twins in the AL Central, providing the bullpen steps their game up.

Manny will forever be remembered for his antics rather than his playing ability. He is more fun off the field than on it. My favorite image is of him riding the adult tricycle in LA. Mannywood is being relocated to Chicago and his name will remain in the headlines until the end of the season. Then some other American League team will be suckered into signing him. The White Sox are taking Manny solely as a rental. They wouldn't sign an aging Jermaine Dye, and they won't resign an aging Manny.

The Yankees on the other hand...