With just four teams left in the 2008 Major League Playoffs, fans try to align every possible scenario to create the best possible storyline. With both the Cubs and White Sox eliminated, fans are imagining the madness that would surround a Los Angeles Dodgers versus Boston Red Sox World Series.

Joe Torre has already faced Boston several times throughout his managing career, but never from the opposing league. His clashes with Boston as manager of the New York Yankees were legendary. However, this is not the main headline that would hit the front pages of all the newspapers.

On July 31, 2008, one of the greatest hitters in our generation was shipped across country.  As probably all readers are well aware by now, Manny Ramirez was traded to Los Angeles in a three-team deal that netted Jason Bay. Did Boston make this transaction under their own free will? Did Manny’s antics and lack of hustle leave the Red Sox with no choice? There are opinions abound supporting both sides of the argument, but perhaps none more prominent and forceful than broadcaster Tim McCarver.

“I mean, talk about wearing out your welcome in a town, and it was a long welcome with the Red Sox. But some of the things he did were simply despicable, despicable — like not playing, refusing to play. Forgetting what knee to limp on. And now it’s washed, it’s gone,” McCarver said earlier this week as reported … over and over again … by ESPN.

While Ramirez admitted to not running out some ground balls, and was known for his defensive liabilities, was Ramirez’s effort in Boston truly “despicable” as McCarver says? In the month many critics call into question, July, Ramirez hit a whopping .347, his highest average in any month for the Boston Red Sox. 

Despite the much improved play of Dustin Pedrioia and Kevin Youkilis, Manny was by far and away Boston’s best hitter. In fact, despite playing two less months for Boston than any other Red Sox player, he places third on the team in home runs with 20. Not bad for someone who gave “despicable” effort