So, remember back in March when I said that I had successfully purchased four Right Field Roof Deck tickets for the Sept. 26 game against the Yankees? Seemed like quite a coup at the time. Hell, I figured there was even a chance that it could end up being the deciding game for the division title.

Fast forward to last night. Bad enough that the Yankees really do suck this year, but the weather … well, let us quote the Boston Globe’s Amalie Benjamin in an Extra Bases post published yesterday at 3:09 p.m.:

“We still haven’t heard anything about whether this game will be played, but it’s looking mighty grim around Fenway Park. It’s pouring, and the tarp remains on the field. The entire outfield is soggy or, as colleague Adam Kilgore just said, ‘It looks like a moat in front of the Green Monster.’

“That can’t be good for anyone’s health.

“So I wouldn’t make any long drives down to Fenway tonight, but there are also no promises yet that they won’t try to get this game in.”

In a subsequent post published at 7:07 p.m., Kilgore said:

“If they get in five innings tonight, I will eat my media guide. The tarp is being taken off the field, but it is a truly miserable night for baseball.”

So imagine my dismay, disappointment and disgust when the Sox and MLB decide to ass-ram this game through despite all reason, decency and common sense.

Kilgore further summed things up at 8:36 p.m.:

“When everyone bought those last-weekend-of-the-season Yankees-Red Sox tickets back in February, they probably were not hoping for Alfredo Aceves vs. David Pauley in the rain. But that is exactly what they are getting. First pitch was at 8:36.”

Four hours, 16 minutes and a second rain delay later, this sham of a game ended with the Red Sox taking a dive 19-8.

We felt pretty certain the game would be postponed till Sunday … and, regardless, we weren’t about to go stand around in the rain at Fenway all night while they delayed, stopped and restarted this game into the wee hours of the morn.

Who woulda thunk that the game we looked forward to and talked about non-stop for six months would end up turning into a bad memory of a missed game and a $500 Red Sox tab that we ate?

Oh, and speaking of eating, here’s what Kilgore signed off with at 12:52 a.m.:

“My media guide has been devoured. Sprinkled on a little tarragon and grilled it over wood planks. Not bad.”

Say “Goodbye” to The House That Ruth Built, which saw its final truly exciting playoff moment take place in 2004.

(Already posted at Boston Dirt Dogs, but I couldn’t resist. Too good to not share.)

Also: Here’s Bush League’s Top 5 Yankee Stadium Moments.

• Red Sox bash their way to tie for lead in AL East
• Is the clock striking midnight in Tampa?

• Sox rout Yankees at Stadium
• Turning out lights
• Pedroia slams the door shut

• A nice turn by Sox: Crucial double play helps deflate Yankees
• A series of boo-boos by A-Rod
• On this stage, the plays were the thing

Looks like Lil’ Hanky Steinbrenner’s plans to “restore order to the universe” will have to wait till next season.

You just wouldn’t listen, would you? That’s great; you just gave the annual-temper-tantrum-throwing Manny Ramirez exactly what he wanted: no obligation to the Red Sox in 2009 and 2010. Well, you showed him, didn’t you?

I get it; you were pissed at him … but you know what you should have done if you really wanted to get his goat? You should have exercised his option for the next two seasons! Once he knew he was locked in and had no choice, I guarantee you he would have ended up coming around, just like he does every season.

Yeah, I agree that you shouldn’t have to play games like that with him … but it is what it is … and instead of keeping a Hall of Famer—not to mention maintaining ownership of the most terrifying No. 3/No. 4 hitting combination in baseball today—you gave Manny and Darth Boras the very thing they were looking for: free agency! And why do you think they were so adamant that the Dodgers not be able to keep him beyond the end of this season? Well, take a look at the accompanying photo and I’m sure you’ll agree that there simply is no other possible outcome. (Are you looking forward to Damon/Jeter/A-Rod/Manny back-to-back-to-back-to-back? Because I know I sure am!)

Hey, I’ll admit: Theo certainly knows more than I do, and the last time he did this—Nomar, ’04—the team won its first World Series in 86 years, so maybe it’ll all turn out OK. (Of course, then they dumped Nomar’s replacement, Orlando Cabrera, for Edgar Renteria … so I can’t say I’m positive they know what they’re doing.)

Oh, Manny’s not done hitting bombs over the Green Monster; he’ll be doing it next season … in pinstripes. Nice move.

P.S.: Manny, you’re a big dummy. You could have sucked it up (if getting paid a nine-figure-sum to play a game for a living in a city that treats you like a god can be considered “sucking it up”), finished your 10 years here and left a legend. Instead, you’ll be remembered for the last thing you did in Boston … which was to act like a completely arrogant, selfish moron. Thanks for the disappointment.

P.P.S.: Yeah, everybody, I know: there was probably a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff that we don’t know about … but, taken at face value, this is how I feel.

To: John, Larry & Theo
CC: Red Sox players, coaching staff and everyone else in Boston who has yet again let themselves get whipped into a media-driven frenzy by Manny Ramirez.

Dear All Y’all,

I have two children, ages 3 and 5. They often misbehave, act out and say things they shouldn’t. I know that indulging their ridiculous comments, or taking those comments personally, really isn’t in anyone’s best interest. It’s better if I rise above it all and realize how much better my life is with them in it.

If any of you think that the Red Sox are better off without having Manny Ramirez in the lineup, I encourage you to put down the crack pipe, turn off your sports-talk radio station, black out Dan Shaugnessy’s Globe column and look at the stats.

Love,

SoxNation.net

Dear Manny,

Shut the f**k up and play baseball.

Love,

Everyone Of Us Who Wishes We Got Paid
$168 Million To Play A Child’s Game

• Red Sox are 8th wonders: Ramirez does it again in 4-run frame
• Manny Ramirez was in altercation with Sox’ traveling secretary
• Manny, Youk get into it

• &$%#@*&! (<- a must read for every Sox fan)
• Gardner did it: Yankee rookie’s single in 10th deadly to Sox
• Several seeds of doubt planted?
• Rays have best record in MLB?????

• Colon and Red Sox flop in Philadelphia