So he acted like a petulant child at times. Big deal, he was one of the best batters to ever don a Red Sox uniform. He helped to bring an end to the "curse", as well as 1 more WS title to boot.

Thanks for all the fun times, Manny. It was one hell of a ride and I will miss you, quirks and all.

Goodbye Manny!

Thanks for the memories, you will be missed.

I'm sad. But, it had to happen.

Good luck Manny.

At the end of the day, I think he gave Red Sox fans more than he took away. Sure, he has his flaws. He appears to have put himself over the team more than once.... also appears a little greedy for walking away from pretty big money already to try to cash in on a 4 year, $100M deal. He has his flaws, but I actually think he meant well. I think most of what we saw recently was Boras talking. And I don't mean to say Manny can't think on his own, but it wouldn't be the first time an agent manipulated his client.

But what I'll remember him best for is what he did for us in the 2004 World Series. I'll also remember the absolute machine he was when he and Ortiz were at their best together. And yes, I'll remember shaking my head at some of those Manny being Manny ™ moments. But we never could have broken that so-called curse if the Duke hadn't made that acquisition over 7 years ago. And what a wild ride it has been ever since.

Manny, best of luck to you with the Dodgers. And while you did things that I didn't agree with towards the end, I thank you for all your contributions on the field. You truly were one of the best right-handed hitters of my generation, and Peter Gammons, you're an idiot if you don't think so. It would indeed be interesting if we were able to push through the postseason and we met "Red Sox West" in the World Series. I'm hoping that happens.

2004 World Series MVP. Whatever his flaws are, that ought to be enough for any Red Sox fan.

Goodbye.

We adored you. Too bad $168 million wasn't enough for you to adore us back.

Best wishes to you in Los Angeles, Manny. Your contributions to this Boston team will never be forgotten, and I hope you part with no grudges held.

Say what you want about him, but he played a huge role in the Sox winning the two WS. All of the good times he brought the Sox and us as fans far outweigh his negatives.

Best of luck, Manny. I hope #600 & beyond come in the NL.

EDIT - anyone that isn't going to miss Manny is a retard.

Yeah, I love the trade, but who won't miss Manny?

He gave us a hell of a lot in the way of offense over the years and was a big part of those two WS titles. Too bad he just became so unhappy lately.

Boston may not deserve Manny but LA certainly does....look forward to seeing you hit at Coors in September.

The day is finally here, huh? Manny is no longer a member of the Boston Red Sox. As inevitable as it had begun to look, it's still going to be hard to imagine #24 not standing by the Monster. Even though he certainly had his flaws as some have already mentioned, he was one of the most critical pieces of our recent success. I'll take away many fond memories from his time with us and will continue to pull for him in the future.

As much of a fireball as he was, he was Manny Ramirez -- the unpredictable, long haired Dominican who helped a championship deprived franchise win two World Series titles. He definitely did his share in dirtying the water and will be missed by many.

I feel like I did when I got divorced. I'm sad because there were a lot of good memories but too much had happened to ever make it work again. I wish Manny (and my ex) the best of luck in the future, but deep down inside I know the parting occured at the right time. Every once in awhile I'll look back on both of them fondly and miss them as well. (hopefully neither my gf or Jason Bay will notice when that happens)

Even if the time had come for him to leave I still wish he hadn't. He really is a pleasure to watch at the plate and even if he doesn't hustle and makes some crazy plays in the field they are always fun to watch. He was one of my favorite players for his entire tenure with the Sox and it's a shame that it is over. It just won't look right without him in front of the Monster. Without him we are still waiting for our first World Series title. Good luck Manny, and I will continue to think of you fondly! Thanks for the homeruns, laughs, and World Series celebrations!

It's going to be damn tough to sit down and play The Show on my PS3 tonight, knowing that a change has to be made.

I was a fan of Manny before I was a Sox fan, I felt like I was part of the deal when he came to Boston. One of my favorite players of all time, the others being Johnny Bench and Nomar. Still it was time to go I believe. Now lets get this season turned around, GO SOX.

So long Manny and thanks for the memories.

You got what you wanted, don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.

Look forward to seeing him don a Sox hat in Cooperstown someday, but it didn't have to end like this.

Goodbye Manny, you will indeed be missed. Diving to cut off Johnny Damon's throw was easily the greatest thing I will ever see on a baseball field.

On another note, I'm so sick of this front office bad mouthing EVERY player they want to get rid of to the press. For me, it ruins the memories. Instead of guys like Pedro, Manny, Lowe etc. coming back in 2029 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first title in 86 years, and Pedro and Manny having their numbers retired, people will just remember all the crap that came out to paint them in a bad light. Not only that, but it makes the players not want anything to do with the organization. Numbers 24 and 45 should someday hang on the wall with the others, but there's no chance of that now. Now I'm not saying those things that come out are untrue, but for God's sake keep quiet about them! I don't need to know that Derek Lowe is a drunk or anything like that. Sometimes ignorance truly is bliss.

Bingo. I played a a 360 game without Manny and it just changed the entire complection of the game. Now, some may blame this on the cannabis, but, alas! I blame it on the absence of one Mr. Manuel Ramirez.

Woo hoo though for Jason Bay. I'm actually glad to have him aboard.

I echo the "Don't let the door...." sentiments right now. I am more angry than grateful. There is zero reason why he should've been such a detriment to the team - but I won't moan in a thanking thread.

Game 2 (I think) last year - I was in Ocean City MD and he hit the bomb to win it - I went crazy - it went right over the Monster. If there's anything I miss - it will be those god damn giant shots past the Coke bottle - way past.

My next life will be a pro athlete to show all these pricks how its done off the field.

I loved watching him play and will always look back on how much enjoyment he brought all of us Redsox fans.
When millions of dollars come involved players are not going to be as loyal as we are but Manny needs to show some respect to he Redsox organization IMO and just say thanks and good luck and be on his way.

Now lets got BAYwatching

Dude, in order to even be eligible to have the Sox retire your number, you have to spend 10 years with the team and retire a Red Sox. If those guys wanna sign for peanuts with the Sox for a final season, that's fine, but I don't think that rule needs changing.

Thanks for the memories, especially the rings.

I am glad you are finally going were you belong though, LA LA land. It just fits. Also, for your own personal safety, don't get into it with Bowa.

In spite of everything, I loved watching Manny Ramirez on the field. Not just because he was a HOF hitter, but because he was kind of a fun character to watch play. He didn't let things bother him. Particularly before 2004, that was the kind of mentality that was absolutely necessary to survive playing for the Red Sox and us, the crazy fans. The smiles, the occasionally stupid posing, the loping gait, and of course that sweet, sweet swing where you just KNEW that he had made Mike Mussina his bitch yet again. Intellectually, I understand that Manny had to go. Intellectually, I like who the Red Sox replaced him with. Emotionally, I am going to miss Manny Ramirez, and I'm not quite looking forward to the game tonight as much as I would have if he was still on the team.

I agree 100% that Dwight Evans' number should be retired.

I will miss him, wish it hadn't happened, but know it HAD to be done.

Don't forget who brought him here. One of Duquette's better moments. Money well spent. I think only Wake and Tek are the 2 that remain.

My favourite Manny moment: the high five to the fan and then throwing in for the double play.

Thanks for all that yiou did Manny - the 7+ years of Manny being Manny, the hijinks, the 500th homerun, your strange ways and the 2 WS rings. I won't lie, as much as he aggrivated me in his final days, i did enjoy watching him play.

I agree with JMD, i'm not looking towards tonight's game that much now that he's not on the team.

Manny is deep down inside your EX and you wish them luck with that? You're a better guy than me...

Thank you Manny and good luck in your career out in L.A. Say hello to Joe Torre for me and stay safe from the earthquakes... You did a lot of good here in Boston and I will miss seeing #24 in left field and in the batter's box...

Actually they'd be a good match. They are both freaking insane.

Never a dull moment with Manny (57 seconds in). Manny has bats in his belfry, and in the back of his SUV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFjnwwVEffk

What a bunch of silk-panty-wearing pansies.

Suck it up, will you?

Just kidding.

While I have, from time to time, become frustrarted with Manny's antics, he was one of my top 5 favorite Red Sox of all time...and for me, that's a LONG TIME. I loved watching him hit and loved that, most times, he played the game as if he really loved the game.

In the end, I think he had to go because I personally believe that he had finally lost the support of the majority of his teammates. No player is bigger than the team and, if what we read now is true, the players had tired of him and didn't trust that he would be there for and with them for the rest of the season.

That aside, Manny brought me hours and hours of enjoyment watching the game I have loved since I was old enough to walk. He was an integral part of two World Series Championships and made the experience of being a Red Sox fan more rewarding for having put on the uniform.

I will continue to root for him and I honestly hope he leads the Dodgers into the playoffs. I wish him no ill, whatsoever because, despite the bitter ending, he earned every cent the team paid him.

How often can you say that about such a highly paid athlete?

Like everyone else I'm sad to see this day arrive, although it became apparent over the last 7-10 days that a parting of ways was imminent. My favorite Manny moments have to be the high five to the fan and his nipping off through the door in the wall to answer the call of nature. Oh, and the gargantuan OPS too.

The drumbeat has already begun in New York: Manny as the Yanks' d.h. next year. Why do I have this sense of inevitability about that happening? It's just like with Damon--I could accept him wearing any other uniform.

I just remembered--Manny's a free agent next year. Maybe we sign him back!

I was always an ardent Manny supporter, so for me it is bittersweet to see him go. On one hand once the initial shock of it all dies down the media will forget about it the way they did with Nomar and Pedro, moving onto their next target. So, in that sense I don't mind because I tired of not being able to watch sports for what happens between the lines and get forcefed the shit that happens outside the lines.

On the flipside of that I have just loved watching Manny hit all these years. Watching him hit was a thing of beauty. Being treated to watching him and Pedro on the same team, at the same time was just such a delight. I remember so many times seeing Papi hit a HR then looking at whoever I was watching the game with and saying, "Ok, they're going to go back-to-back here." and BAM...there it goes.

Ah well, that won't stop me from being a fan. He is still a fantastic hitter and I will try to catch a Dodgers game on TV whenever I can. Hopefully he'll play in the WBC this spring so I can watch him then as well. Best of luck to him in LA, I hope the fans there are as delighted to get him as we were when the Sox signed him.

That's perfectly OK, as far as I'm concerned. Manny will be another year closer to looking like Junior Griffey does right now, on the last legs of his career. The more guys the Yankees sign like that, the better (and I should know, most of the Mariners' rosters in their first 10 years were comprised of other teams' has-beens and cast-offs).

I think the Red Sox did exactly the right thing...but there must be someone in the Red Sox front office who's got a screw loose if that someone keeps trashing players who decline as their Red Sox contracts come to an end, and force said players out the door with few positive things to say about the organization. I don't know which is worse, that kind of atmosphere (which isn't always the case, I realize) or the atmosphere of stupidity that exists in the team/organization I follow a bit more closely...