Anyone who knows me knows I am a die hard New York Yankee fan. After leaving my beloved New York for the Sunshine state, the very first thing I had to do was find out if my local cable provider (Brighthouse Networks) offered the MLB package. Even when I was still in New York, I got the package (only after the all star break) so I can enjoy the games of the teams that will be fighting for the playoffs. Even if it turns out NOT to be the Yankees, I love baseball...I just love watching the games.

Brighthouse's price for the package is just under $200. I can pay all at once or spread it out over 4 months. $200. $200. For me, it was well worth every penny just to watch my boys. No matter how much it was, I'd shuffle bill payments around just to be able to pay for the package.

In the past 30 plus years I've been a faithful Yankee fan, I've put up with a lot. In the beginning, I didn't care much who was brought to the team because I just loved to watch the game. As I got older, it started to become important to me how the players carried themselves. Regardless of whether or not they were on the Yankees, I saw some players have no pride when wearing their uniform.

There were players whom I saw as disgraceful...players who thought they were God's gift to the game; egos so huge, it was disgusting to watch them go on about how great they were. It was a complete turn off.

One of the players I hated was Roger Clemens. Not only was he a Red Sox; but I recall a story about how he showed up to spring training late crying about how much money he was making. If I recall correctly, he wasn't satisfied with the amount he was getting so he decided to show up a few days late. This was early on in his career. I want to say his second season but I can't remember for sure. I just remember being disgusted with him and the hate grew from there.

When Steinbrenner decided to go after him, I was upset; but he was good so I just accepted it. There was always something about that guy that I really couldn't stand...I didn't know the guy but he had this way about him during interviews that just rubbed me wrong.

Then there was David Wells, he was a slob. He swore he was in awe of the Yankee tradition...idolized Babe Ruth...but his uniform was too big and he never buttoned up his shirt...clearly slovenly dressed with no respect for the tradition of that uniform. When I worked at McDonald's if you had walked into work on my shift dressed half a$$ed, I'd have sent you home. I could not have sent Wells out there to pitch unless his uniform was worn like everyone else on the team. With Steinbrenner being the dictator he was for many years, I don't understand how Wells got away with it.

Since I've been in Tampa, I've watched a few Rays games but not really caring much because they're not my boys. HOWEVER, I do root for them to do well (not too well) because I'm here now and I should be behind my local team. This year was particularly exciting as you know, they made it all the way to the playoffs. Since my boys weren't able to find a way this year, I found myself watching the Rays and cheering them on to kick Boston's a$$. The Rays grew on me this year. I'd always said that if I wasn't a Yankee fan, I'd have to be an Oriole fan. I really like them; but I think my new second choice will have to be the Rays.

Keeping that in mind, I come to the whole point of this entry.

I read an unsettling article in the New York Daily News about Manny Ramirez. Ex-problem of the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox, Hank Steinbrenner likes Manny. Manny Ramirez. Another slob with no respect for the game or the uniform he gets paid handsomely to play in. A man with an ego so big, it's a wonder to me how the whole team can fit in the dugout at once. Sure, he's a great hitter...scares the bejeezus out of me when he comes up against my boys; but he's so full of himself, it just takes away from the talent he's got. I can't stand the sight of him. I was glad he went to Los Angeles as the one two punch from Ramirez/Ortiz was getting ridiculous already. I never had anything against Ortiz, he's also a great player and I feared his at bats at all times...but seeing him fraternize with Ramirez made me dislike him. Reading Hank's statement that he "likes Manny", is scary. I don't want Manny Ramirez on the Yankees. I don't care how great a player he is, he is a cancer.

I will be watching these developments closely because IF the Yankees should acquire Manny Ramirez during the off season, I will have to dump my Yankees for the Rays. Yes, the 30 plus years of my love affair with the Yankees will have to come to an end. I cannot continue to support a team that is okay with Manny Ramirez. In 3 months I will know if I will need to find $200 to watch the Yankees for the 2009 season or if I can watch the Rays on local TV.