Mahow? Not Now.

Former Red Sox Good Luck Charm Nelson de la Rosa
Pulls Out of the Race to Replace Theo Epstein as GM

Pedro Martinez on September 28, 2004: "My friend is Nelson. His name is Nelson. He's 36 years old. He's from the Dominican Republic and very funny character, and very animated… We met through Franklin's friend in Providence. Since then we became friends and I hang out with him now… Everybody's happy with him. He's our lucky charm now. Now a days. The guys are falling in love with him."

Pedro Martinez on April 13, 2005: "Nelson needs help. He is a special human being. I haven’t seen him in a while… He was angry that I signed with the Mets. He wanted me to stay with Boston. He was not my lucky charm. I’m not superstitious like some guys. It was Kevin Millar who thought this. I met Nelson through mutual friends and he asked to come to the game. I gave him tickets… Since we won some games, Millar started saying that he was the team’s lucky charm. But I am not superstitious."

Red Sox Apprentice: On a day when most of Red Sox Nation was celebrating the news that Marlins ace Josh Beckett appears to be headed to Boston, the team encountered another stunning setback as another qualified candidate dropped out of the GM race.

Nelson de la Rosa, creator of the Mahow-Mahow dance and former best friend of former Sox ace Pedro Martinez, withdrew from Sox GM consideration earlier today much to the chagrin of Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino, who was due to sit down with de la Rosa over Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday.

One well-placed industry source familiar with de la Rosa's thinking said he was crushed by the announcement of the Beckett-Lowell trade last night because for all intents and purposes, it means that Pedro Martinez will not be returning to Boston via a trade and Kevin Millar has also played his last game in a Red Sox uniform.

De la Rosa confirmed those concerns when he spoke to the media about his decision today via a translator:

"Hola… I had a dream yesterday. That one day soon I could make a triumphant return to Boston and lead my beloved Red Sox as their new GM. I had a dream that one day on the green lawn of Fenway my old friend Pedro Martinez would take the mound again in a Red Sox uniform. I had a dream that my favorite cowboy, Kevin Millar, would stand proudly at first base with his golden glove on opening day, batting fifth in the order again. I had a dream yesterday. I had a dream that one day this Red Sox Nation would rise up and take pictures with me, their new GM, during the games at Fenway for $10 apiece again. I had a dream yesterday.

"But that dream was dashed when the Red Sox made a deal for Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell yesterday. So my dream, of trading for Pedro Martinez and being reunited with him, and re-signing the clown Millar, is gone today. Therefore, I see no point to continue vying for a job that I no longer want.

"I will return to New York with the hopes that Pedro forgives me, and invites me to the stadium Shea to be with him again in the spring. If not, I’ll go wherever Millar ends up, as long as he stays in baseball. Oh, and my decision has nothing to do with Larry Lucchino. Even though he banned me from Fenway Park two years ago.

"Bueno... estancia fuerte (stay strong and keep rooting)."

Lucchino was not available to the media for comment, but issued a statement regarding de la Rosa's decision:

"Although we are deeply disappointed with the outcome, we respect Nelson’s decision to move on from consideration to be the general manager of the Boston Red Sox… ahh actually, the truth is, it wasn’t a good fit. Nelson wasn’t really all that qualified and even though we both wanted Pedro to come back to Boston, it’s probably best that Nelson moves on to whatever it is he does. Luckily, we have 11 other prime candidates remaining to consider, hopefully one of them still wants this job.”