We've seen some outrageous defensive miscues by Manny Ramirez before, but he may have reached an all-time low tonight. Just several plays after belting a solo homer to right field off Angels ace John Lackey, Manny proceeded to execute one of the worst diving attempts in Red Sox history, allowing batter Maicer Izturis to make it to third on what should have been at most a single. According to the venerable Jerry Remy, Manny could have made a play on the ball without even attempting a foot-first slide.



As the Sox struggle with the decision of whether or not to exercise Manny's $20 million 2009 option, this game really serves as the perfect summation of the Sox' eccentric slugger as we saw the best (Manny's 19th homer of the season) and the worst (the poor dive and subsequent barrel role onto the ball that somehow was ruled a triple) of Manny Ramirez. Maybe it has something to do with the date as Manny partook in his famous bathroom break during a mound visit and almost missed a Wade Miller pitch on July 18, 2005. Whatever the explanation, his lackadaisical defensive play and obvious display of humor over this botched play probably aren't being looked upon with that same levity by Sox ownership.