It’s impossible to say if the wild card spot was won on July 31 when the Red Sox traded a disgruntled Manny Ramirez, but it most definitely could have been lost.
The Sox were a team in turmoil because of their mercurial star, and something had to give. When they succeeded in shipping out Ramirez in a three-way deal that brought back Jason Bay, there was relief. But there also was fear.
The Red Sox hope last night didn’t mark the culmination of that deal a third World Series title in five years is the ultimate goal but it’s fair to say that beating the Cleveland Indians, 5-4, at Fenway Park to clinch their fifth playoff berth in six years is a step in that direction. They clinched at least the wild card, while trailing AL East-leading Tampa Bay by three games with five to play.
None of it seemed remotely small at the time, be it Curt Schilling’s season-ending injury before the season even started, Ortiz missing two months with a torn tendon sheath in his wrist or ace Josh Beckett struggling through tingling and numbness in his right elbow. Then, of course, there was Ramirez, whose attitude and demeanor had become so poisonous, the Red Sox decided they simply could not live with the left fielder. They couldn’t trust he’d even be in the lineup for games like last night’s clincher. Theo Epstein pulled the trigger with a clear conscience.
The deal was applauded in the clubhouse. Bay symbolized everything Ramirez did not; a quiet, mature, team-first player who would always give 100 percent effort, even in areas like baserunning and defense in left field. The Sox played .560 ball with Ramirez. They’re at .646 since. For his part, Bay succeeded by immediately establishing he wasn’t here to replace anyone.
Pitcher Paul Byrd arrived from Cleveland after the Ramirez deal. Byrd had been watching from afar and was impressed at both the bravery of trading such an offensive force, as well as the foresight to bring in an underrated player like Bay. Now Byrd, who will start tonight vs. the Indians, looks around the clubhouse and sees a team in every sense of the word.
Nation Notes: Jed Lowrie, in his head-spinning rookie season, has played in 42 games at shortstop and 47 at third base, often toggling between the two in the same game, as he did last night. He has hit in every spot in the batting order except leadoff. He has played in 47 of the Red Sox’ last 48 games. J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell both made progress yesterday. Drew, battling a herniated disk in his back, received an epidural and almost immediately felt positive results. The Sox planned to have Lowell (torn hip labrum) hit in the batting cage last night, then on the field today. Jacoby Ellsbury extended his hitting streak to 14 games, a career best, with a double in the fifth inning. Dustin Pedroia hit his 53d double, tying Tris Speaker (1912) for third in Sox history.
