Francona to Schilling “Zip it”

And none to soon.  This has turned into a debacle not only for Schilling but for the Sox.  Francona told him to “zip it a little”, not only privately in a meeting he had with Schilling but also publicly on WEEI radio, the same station that Schilling spouted off on.  Francona went on to say when asked about reading Schillings blog “You know what? I don’t have that much energy.  I get tired of answering things that are not baseball, but I guess that’s my responsibility, too. I don’t care if he does it, but just stay away from certain things. If he wants to run for office someday and tackle the world’s problems, fine, but not while I’m the manager. I just think there are issues you stay away from. Listen, I’ve known Schill a long time and I think the world of this guy. I just told him to ease off on the gas pedal, and he will.”  Maybe Schilling should avoid he pedal all the time.

Schilling issued an apology, not on the air though, but rather his blog, 38 pitches.  “I am far from perfect and make more than my share of mistakes, which is something I have no problem with because that’s part of being a human being.  However, when mistakes adversely affect other people’s lives, that’s a big deal. It was a callous, reckless, and irresponsible thing to say and for that I apologize to Barry, Barry’s family, Barry’s friends, and the Giants organization, my teammates and the Red Sox organization, as well as anyone else that may have been offended by the comments I made.”

Where is Manny Ramirez?

We are three weeks into the season and Manny Ramirez is a no show. Hard to believe that one of the most prolific hitters in recent memory has had such a horrible start to the season – again. This is the third season he has started slow, he didn’t have his first homerun last year until 16 games in and he is on track for that this year as well. Check the numbers .191 avg, 9 hits in 47 at bats, 4 runs scored, 6 RBI’s, 7 walks and 8 strike outs and ten total bases. This is not Manny being Manny. He has struggled so severely at the plate this season one has to wonder what is going on.

Tito does’nt seem worried though, “I don’t think he looks bad”, and continued with “He got into a period last year where it was early and he couldn’t stay back. He’s tracking balls, he’s taking some swings where he’s lining out. I actually think he looks pretty good. He hit that ball to center field last night. That’s just a hang with ‘em. It’s a lineout that he just scorched. Remember the night in Texas he hit three balls hard [for outs]? It’s unfortunate. But he looks OK.” Ok is not what Manny is capable of. Ok is what we expect from lesser players in the league.

We need Manny to start hitting and quickly. The bottom of the lineup has been hard pressed to make a difference so far this year. CoCo, Varitek and Pedroia (a goose egg in RBI’s and HR) are all struggling mightily. Lowell has been good on some occasions and has hit safely in six consecutive games. But the heart of the order, Ortiz, Ramirez and Drew is where our offense generates most of our runs and right now a huge piece of that missing.

Maybe it was the BBQ that did’nt sell, maybe it was the missed opportunity to attend a car auction, maybe its the cold weather, maybe the dreads are getting to long, maybe its the red he added.  I don’t know what it is but Manny needs to get it straightened out and quick.