Hardball Heaven

It's not every day you can combine a great Pearl Jam song with Manny Ramirez' mood, and today's that lucky day.

Manny, true to his word, arrived in Fort Myers today decked out in a black Tim Brown Raiders jersey. He let his hair grow out in braids, and had some funky new growth on his chin - perhaps paying homage to Johnny Traitor. He's pictured here being greeted by Sox camp invitee Enrique Wilson. As you may recall, the last time a meeting between these two created such a stir came back in 2003, when Manny called in sick while the Sox played the Yankees a few blocks down the street. Supposedly, Manny was seen later that night at the Ritz-Carlton bar with Wilson, who was then a utility infielder for the Yanks. I'm convinced the Sox signed both Wilson and crazyman Julian Tavarez just to befriend Manny this year. But I digress...

Manny shares some of his first-day thoughts in this interview. He's not talking about his stated desire to be traded; he's not playing in the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican team; he's just here to earn his massive paycheck and help Boston win. He's living in the present, not the past. Fine by me. Saw him on TV tonight, and let's just say he looks like he's in phenomenal shape.

Yes, Manny pisses me off when he jogs down to first on a double-play groundball - or when he stands at home plate, admiring a long fly that's caught on the warning track. He can be downright maddening, and you don't want your Little Leaguer modeling his game after him. But you know something? He's got the mentality to not only play in this hardened town, but to thrive in it -- he operates in his own little bubble. And we need his bat. Imagine this lineup without Manny in it? Ortiz would be walked every single time. So I'm glad he's back - warts and all. 'Course, let's revisit this monthly, and most definitely in July at the trading deadline. Welcome back (for now), Manuel.