Gordon Edes of the Boston Globe is reporting that Manny Ramirez will not be going to the antique car auction after all.
A director of the Atlantic City classic car auction told a Philadelphia radio station this morning that they’d received word from Manny Ramirez’s people that the Sox slugger would not be making his scheduled appearance at the auction, which was slated for noon tomorrow. The director told the “Matt and Huggy Show” on WYSP-FM in Philadelphia, one of the radio stations that had been running spots saying Manny would appear with Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, that Manny had bowed out. But Manny’s wheels are there and up for bidding, a customized 1967 Lincoln Continental convertible that is expected to go for at least $200,000.
It’s good to see Manny coming to his senses and doing the right thing. If he is really not at camp to be with his mom, then great. If Manny is just being Manny and not wanting to be at camp, then he should just get his ass there. The good thing is that now the Red Sox players and brass don’t have to worry about Manny’s whereabouts on Saturday as they workout. Although I am sure they will have spies at the car auction.
Filling in for a bedridden Terry Francona, who has the flu, Red Sox pitching coach, John Farrell, announced the pitching rotation for the early games. On February 28th, Curt “Bloody Sock” Schilling will take the hill against the Minnesota Twins. On March 1st, the Red Sox have split squad games with Kason Gabbard facing the Toronto Blue Jays and Josh Beckett taking on the Northeastern University Huskies. The next day, March 2nd, the Red Sox have another set of split squad games with Kyle Snyder taking on the Toronto Blue Jays this time and Daisuke Matsuzaka making his Red Sox debut against the Boston College Eagles. On March 3rd, Tim Wakefield will be on the mound with Jonathan Papelbon relieving him after a few innings when they take on the Philadelphia Phillies. All the pitchers will only throw 35 pitches or 2 innings, whichever comes first. I do have to wonder if they let Matsuzaka throw a little more.
If you would like to see what spring training games are on NESN, click here.
Technorati: Boston Red Sox, Terry Francona, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Curt Schilling
