Sox prove they can win without Manny
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| Baseball Today: Wednesday, September 24 »
By Joe McDonald BOSTON _ Not lost in the Sox' Tuesday night playoff-clinching victory over the Indians was the fact Manny Ramirez was not a part of the celebration at Fenway Park. The former Red Sox slugger was ousted by the organization at the trade deadline on July 31 because he became a problem in the clubhouse and wanted out of Boston. Red Sox GM Theo Epstein made the decision to trade Ramirez as part of a three-team deal with the Dodgers and Pirates and acquired Jason Bay in return. It worked. The chemistry in the clubhouse dramatically changed and the Sox proved they can reach the postseason with Ramirez. "You don't make decision based on your fears," said Epstein. "You have to make decisions on what's best for the ballclub, and we felt what we did at the end of July gave us the best chance to get in. We didn't think at that point the playoffs were assured - at all. So we're really happy with the way things worked out." Late-season additions like Bay, Mark Kotsay and Paul Byrd helped along the way, too. "A lot of good players contributed along the way," said Epstein. "Most were here at the beginning, some came along the way at the end, but they're all a part of this. It's not easy to get in and you have to make adjustments along the way." 
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IF, and it's a BIG IF, the Sox win the World Series... should Manny get a ring?
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He shouldn't, but he will!
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