Bay's numbers last year and this year are better than Manny's. I could care less what a player did 3,4,5 years ago. I'm conscerned about now and the future. Ya, Manny's a future hall of famer but, his best days are behind him. He has never talked to the press, he started doing it in spring training and used the press to do his own "bad guy painting" to let everyone know thate wanted out. Well, he got what he wanted and we got a good player that is 7 years younger. The only thing that bothers me is, Bay's batting average with runner's in scoring position and can he handle the shitheads of the Boston media.

I'm not worried about his batting with runners in scoring position - Mientkiewicz bats behind Bay - with runners in scoring position, would you really challenge Bay with anything when Mientkiewicz is batting behind him?

Looks like tonights lineup has Bay batting 5th, behind Lowell and before Drew.

I'll be watching for sure.

Don't get me wrong, I like Bay but, can he come through in the clutch?
Manny's press conference is on ESPN at 7. I guess the Red SOx veteran players told Theo that Manny has to go.

Jeff, did you notice Papi's wristband? They were showing Francona and I noticed a wristband with "24" on it next to him, it was Ortiz. I liek Bay's number! I was a big Eric Davis fan in the late 80's too. Manny took number 99? hahaha

No I missed the wristband.
I would argue that a 2-out triple in Xtra innings with 2 outs is coming through in the clutch. I think he'll be fine, we'll just have to wait and see.

Manny apparently took 99 - From reading on MLB.com, I guess he was offered 28 because 24 is retired. He instead asked for 34, but that was Fernando Valenzuela's number and nobody's worn it since he was released. Then he wanted 66, which was no problem, but he changed his mind. He asked if he could have 11 as a tribute to coach Manny Mota, but decided against it. He accepted 99, only to walk into the clubhouse Friday and ask for 28, the original suggestion. By that time, the marketing department had already begun churning out Manny gear with 99 on the back. So, 99 it is.

With Jeff Kent in that clubhouse, and the number of run-ins he's had with premadonna big stars like Manny in the past, I would love to be a fly on the wall in that lockerroom.