Kneegate Continues

Seriously, I didn't want to expend any more mental energy thinking about MANNY'S RIGHT KNEE, but with all of the criticism he's had from the media and from MLB commissioner Bud Selig for not participating in the ASG, the urge is there to stick up for him, you know?

Even amidst reports that Manny has a "small tear in the medial meniscus of his right knee," Bud Selig "blasts Ramirez for bailing out." From today's Herald:

“The only thing I want to say in all fairness is that he’s the only player we had that problem with this year,” Selig said of Ramirez. “Everybody else has been terrific. Tommy Glavine does the right thing. He comes anyway. Of course he can’t pitch, but he comes anyway. And Reyes is also here and he can’t (play). But he’s here. This is an honor. Do you know how many people in life would give, would run through a brick wall to have this kind of honor?”
Selig then added, “I need a vacation too, but . . .”

Is the all-star game really that important? I would bet my big toe that 99% of Red Sox fans would prefer that Manny Ramirez rest and be ready for the second half of the season whether his knee is injured or not. Perhaps for Manny to be at his best, he needs a three-day mental break from baseball to spend time with his family and regroup. Is that so horrible?

--------------------

By the way, Bruce Allen over at Boston Sports Media Watch wrote a fantastic piece on the "media's role in the public perception of Manny Ramirez." The article is a must read. I agree with Bruce 100%.

-----
http://www.drunkenbleachers.com