Manny Ramirez was scheduled for a day off yesterday. With the Nixon injury, the Red Sox asked if he would play. Manny said no.

So, really, what are team officials to do? You want the home runs and RBI, you get the teenage behavior, too. With Ramirez, it is all part of the deal. The Red Sox won a World Series last year and Ramirez was a very big part of that, and the unfortunate reality is that the Red Sox need Ramirez more than he needs them. In the short term, that will remain true as long as the Sox want to win.

The Red Sox could always bench him. Grady Little did that in 2003. It was just for one day, but the message came through as Manny played great the rest of the season. Maybe Francona should have Manny take Friday off as well.

Update: LyfLines reprints their thoughts on Manny from two years ago.