Interesting how many (most?) of Dan Duquette's big acquisitions here left in a huff...

The problem with critics sticking to baseball arguments is that baseball transcends baseball arguments. Manny's departure has actually been a good learning opportunity for young fans in our household whose first question was "why did they do it, he's a pretty good player?" Well - when you act like a jerk, you have to leave your place of work and say goodbye to people you work with. And to the second question, "they gave up a lot in this trade!", the answer is - yes, they sure did. That's a lesson called - when you're negotiating from weakness, other people will drive a hard bargain. (At the risk of invoking a Shaughnessyesque curse, is having to give up Manny AND two prospects at the deadline Karma for Larry Bigbie 3 years ago? And that mysterious Minnesota prospect in the Nomar deal?)

That said, it is quite amazing how Manny has turned sports radio into a literal red state/blue state war of words over the past week. Suggested Larry Johnson cartoon: Manny walks into the Green Monster, opens the door and steps out onto Lansdowne Street.

Here's a bet for Bert: at his Hall of Fame initiation ceremony, will Manny come out with an Indians cap under his Sox hat?

Mmmmmmmmmm cold beer. ... Insufferable? Not me.:) Actually, looking forward to knocking a few back with you. Anytime.