Projo Sports Blog

What shapes up as a wild day for the Red Sox has gotten off to an interesting start, most notably on the Manny Ramirez front.

For one of the rare times all season, the Boston lineup was not posted when reporters were allowed to enter the Sox clubhouse at 12:45. As it is, reporters were held out longer than usual.

The doors almost always open 3:30 before game time, which would have meant 12:25 today. At that time, more than 20 reporters were gathered outside the Sox clubhouse.

No one was allowed in, though, 15 mintues beyond the normal starting time. Bill Ballou of the Worcester Telegram, the chairman of the Boston chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America, banged on the door and asked what was going on. John Blake, the Sox director of public relations, opened the door and said the room was closed. It was opened 15 minutes later than usual.

Normally reporters turn to the inside wall once inside and get the lineup. Today, it was not there.

There were batting practice rotations and, for what that is worth, Ramirez is hitting with the regulars, those who are expected to play. He is slated to be in the final group with Mike Lowell, Jed Lowrie and David Ortiz.

Ramirez was not in the clubhouse when it was opened. That is not unusual. He frequently is not in the clubhouse when reporters are there. Today, though, it is more meaningful since he has not played for the last two games because of what he has told club officials is a pain in his knee.

For what it's worth, John Henry, the Sox owner, was on the field four hours before game time. He declined to speak to reporters

 Tags  Manny Ramirez Red Sox

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