JD:  Not sure if  you've heard program this morning...

LL:   No but I've heard about Mannygate from producer, (JD: disrespect for 9/11), oh I didn't see last night...

GC:  Not sure Manny was respectful enough last night...

JD:  When they were bringing in the the military personnel in last night, all Red Sox at top step paying respects, Manny in dugout chewing tobacco, spitting, laughing, joking, ... not good to see Manny on TV. Couldn't he at least pretend to stand shoulder to shoulder with other teammates (and pay respect to those that lost their lives for the country that made him set for life)?

LL:  I can see why, strikes me the wrong way. Not too much to ask for players to stand on top step of dugout... I did not see the incident, put I will follow-up on that

JD:  During the player introductions, they did it All-Star style, each player accompanied by firefighter, etc., you walk out with him, side by side, Damon is talking to his person, etc.  Manny is out there doing trunk twists, fixing batting glove, arm stretches, and is a step and a half in front of guy!

Is he just Oblivious?

LL:  ...I don't know what to say... This is not what we expect from our players. I'm disappointed and I will pursue this, I did not see it but Mike Port was down there, I'll talk to Mike and well see what action we will take.

GC:  Did they play I got high for Manny?...

LL:  ugh.. ...cleared the air on that.  ...But we did see some emotion last night after home run, so he's in the game (now)...

GC:  Aren't you so frustrated by all this?

LL:  Yes, frustrated by the guaranteed contracts, look at player's conduct, authority to players by PA, something in best interest of game was 'an intrusion and privacy of players.'  When you start paying people $15-20M year, you lose control of them, tendency when they make multiples of coaches and managers, difficulties are inevitable in controlling.

GC:  Now these guys put name on line, financially secure forever, there's nothing you can do to me, nothing GL, MP, LL, fans, media can do.

LL:  Remember these guys are competitors, some kind of control on reckless behavior, wouldn't say completely loose canons. Will be a market correction, fans will speak. Good things for game and fans, cost of tickets, parking, had to go up tickets up... a 4,700% salary increase since free agency cam in.

JD:  What was your reaction to his come-backer (back to dugout)?

LL:  I'd never seen anything like it before, so it was shock to me. My reaction was more muted than media. Act of apologizing was something people might not have expected. Initial reacton quite positive, something had to give a little bit. Maybe something positive, wake up call for Manny. Different going forward.

JD:  As unsettling as that was (Manny), response of Grady who didn't look at him was just as disturbing.

LL:  Grady addressed, should have done something on spot. Has dealt with it forthrightly, won't happen again. Earl Weaver "if you didn't correct a player right there, on the spot, you're likely to get same behavior again"... it's me to blame (he went extreme). Guarantee he'll do that next time.  No I didn't call his hotel.  You're right, instinct should be to run to first.

GC:  Isn't it instinctive on the manager's part to get in his face right away? How does manager even control himself and think about it overnight?

LL:  Yes, I would think answer to that is yes. But it's happened over time of GL's career... I don't know... not going to make excuses for GL at this point... but Grady is Grady, he does make a point to discipline in private, not in public like Weaver, not his style.

JD:  Manny can do hard part, hitting a baseball. Easy part, hustling, standing on top step of dugout.

LL:  Let's not confuse style: casual, passiveness, not true manifestation of his competitive nature, he wants to win... not the 9/11 disrespect, but the other things.

"Hustle is the last refuge of the mediocre player" (told to LL in hoops, by coach)

GC:  Not many reasons left to watch except Pedro, TC get another hit (ha)... what would you say as to why we should watch?

LL:  Watching for a finish to contrast with last year's finish, see how they play every night, doesn't quit, cares, not want to see a team mail it in.  If these guys had pick up basketball game, they'd care about it, they should here... I like to see the wins, so I'm watching with great enthusiasm.

GC: Other than Freddy Sanchez, who do we want to see?

LL: Casey, mature right in front of our eyes.  Benny Agbayani, look at the contribution he's making.  I uh.. Floyd, good point, a healthy Cliff Floyd and watching him perform, that is great fun.  And frankly seeing Manny put up some big numbers in the batting race.

I look for intensity, when I see Manny running to first base (when was that?) haa during the grand slam, pointing, showing he's in the game...

JD: But then you see Manny standing in batter's box after HR only six rows in seats after that?

LL:  He knew that ball was gone.. he knew...

GC:  Will you be watching Grady?

LL:  ur uh.. we're watching everyone... but watching how the team performs as I said, how they play out rest of season with intensity and competitiveness.

JD:  Hear now you're looking to incorporate Lansdowne Street into the same type of play, a mall all around park?

LL:  Whoa, whoa, someone approached me, told them not focused on that... but Fenway need to expands horizontal... don't know where that story came from...

GC:  Yawkey Way is great by the way... took my kid in batting cages...

LL:  Reaction of fans very positive... media missed the boat on this... focused on liquor license vs. fan friendly plaza...