In the end, Manny Ramirez's(notes) return to Fenway Park on Friday night went as I thought it would: Some people cheered, some booed and a few looked completely unmoved.
As for the man himself, Ramirez did not offer a tip of the cap or a wave as he approached the plate in the bottom of the second inning, perhaps because it seemed like the moment did not require a response. The whole scene then ended as quickly as it began with Ramirez lining the first pitch for an out to center field. No real drama, though the Red Sox did make an effort to set the stage — at least somewhat — for their former slugger.
"In the middle of the second inning, the Red Sox played a video on the scoreboard of Ramirez highlights. Set to the R.E.M. song 'Superman,' it showed him making diving catches, receiving his Series MVP trophy, posing at the plate after hitting a home run and, of course, opening the door to the Green Monster.
Ramirez will likely DH all three games during this interleague series, so a mid-inning potty break in the Monster seems unlikely. The good news is that the famed left field wall was not left wanting for a visit from a formerly beloved player now living in exile.
Yes, that was Roger Clemens sitting in the seats atop the Monster. When it rains, it pours, I suppose.
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