Here's a handful of random thoughts on a muggy Friday night at the ballpark.

1. The ovation given to Jason Bay during his first at bat at Fenway was a long and strong one that I'm sure the 29-year-old savored like nothing he'd ever experienced in Pittsburgh. I couldn't help but also think that some of that applause was a referendum from the Sox fan base about finally sending Manny Ramirez packing after years of giving in to Manny Being Manny. It was simply time to cut the cord and turn the page on Manny. Nobody will ever take away the two World Series Championships that Ramirez was a huge part of, and his home run off K-Rod in Game 2 of last year's Division Series is still my favorite Sox moment of all-time at Fenway Park.

2. I love this quote from the introductory Manny Ramirez press conference out in Los Angeles on Friday night: “When people ask Boston I put my brain on pause.” We’re assuming he means the kind of pause where he still plays in games rather than attempting to hold a team hostage that’s paying him $20 million a season. I'm sure his Manny Being Manny act will play over big in La-La Land.

3. The Manny quote is almost as good as my favorite Red Sox quote of all-time, which came from the one and only Johnny Damon right after Pope John Paul had passed away in 2005: “The Pope was awesome for the world,” said the properly respectful Damon with Jesus-style full beard and long hair.

4. A quick note on Oakland A’s reliever Brad Ziegler: He’s got the funky sidearm delivery and he’s been perfect in 30 innings in the Major Leagues heading into Wednesday night. The 28-year-old also gave up only one run in 24 1/3 innings while pitching for Triple-A Sacramento River Cats this season, which gives him a ridiculous 0.16 ERA between his work in the minors and majors this season.