LOST AND FOUND

To keep you posted on all the happenings in the sports scene in Boston, I have maintained this blog. And at this time, the Red Sox have everyone's attention until the Patriots begin very soon.
With that being said, they are not taking advantage of this jewel. Instead, the team is falling apart and trying to find their way. After losing 2 of 3 to the pinstripes to kick off a 9-game homestand, the team welcomed in the Angels. The halos entered the series a whopping 5-1 against the Red Sox, including a 3 game sweep last week on the left coast.
Furthermore, a chance of redemption and revenge was all primed with this series. A sweep or series win would have boosted the team's confidence, exactly what they'll need considering a Red Sox/Angels playoff series is almost a guarantee, Unfortunately, the Angels just smashed the Sox, winning all 3 in Boston, with a combined score of 22-9. The Sox were distraught. They ended the season series with the halos at 1-8. Even worse, they ended the month of July at 11-13. Horrible. Inexcusable. Despicable. Embarrassing.
Part of the trouble was the aloof and strange antics of Manny Ramirez. He found a way to get sent away in a trade on the last day of July. In my opinion, many factors forced the trade. I felt he hated some of the organizations' decisions, such as releasing best buddy Julian Tavarez. But it was he who dug led to hos own demise. He did strange and disrespectful things, such as shoving an elderly traveling secretary for the club for not getting him an exorbitant amount of tickets just hours before a game and rolling over a ball during a live game. He also regularly went into the Fenway/Green Monster scoreboard between innings to make phone calls and go the bathroom, delaying games in the process.
He also was the last player to leave the bench during a brawl with the Rays earlier in the season and then whacked Kevin Youkilis during a dugout mishap. Worst of all, he faked injuries to punish the team and tanked game and at-bats. He did not run out ground balls and never put in the effort. This all happened to the extreme when the Red Sox refused to pick up the last 2 years of his contract, during the season mind you. He bashed the organization days leading up to the trade deadline, fueling his jettison out of Boston. He forced the trade and let everyone know, which in essence lowered his trade value and the Sox got very little in return.
They did get Jason Bay, a great player. But they had to pay Bay's salary, Manny's salary and give up two young core players: Brandon Moss and Craig Hanson. Yes, the team got ripped off bad, but the team had no other options. And with that, 7 and 1/2 great years in Boston came to an end in terrible fashion. Now he will join his 3rd team and then will be a journeyman. His loss.
The team had to move out quick. The team had a clearer clubhouse with Bay in and Manny out. The team had 3 games left on a homestand where they stood 1-5. And that they did, crushing the Athletics during a 3 game sweep. They needed it. Unfortunately, the Yankees won too and the pesky Rays swept the Tigers. They just won't go away. Well, there are less than 2 months remaining in the season. The Sox head out on the road with a newfound confidence. And they'll need it, as you can see from the AL East standings below.
1.Tampa 66-44 -
2.Boston 64-48 3
3.NY 61-50 5.5
4.Toronto 55-55 11
5.Baltimore 53-56 12.5