Let's get to a few of yours right now!

From “sandyb” in Concord, NH

What do think about all this talk about Manny? What will happen to the lineup without him?

HM -- Hi Sandy, thanks for your question. Manny and the Sox have had an interesting relationship, haven't they? On the one hand, the club wouldn't have won their two world series rings without him, and Manny would find it hard to have the kind of fan base, the adulation, the historic ballpark, and the big city, along with the mega bucks contract, had he played anywhere else (maybe the Yankees is an exception). I really don't know what's going to happen. The fact that its played out so much in the media has to tell us that things are not so warm and fuzzy anymore. I do know that if the sides happen to part ways, they got what they wanted from each other.

The sox have always had that big "one-two" punch with David Ortiz/Manny Ramirez in the lineup. But somehow this team has stepped up to the challenge whenever either one of them has been out of the lineup.. i.e., Mr. June, JD Drew. This is a team with a tremendous amount of depth, and while no one can ever replace an Ortiz or a Manny, if any team can overcome those odds, it would be the sox..

From “GM#21” in Roseville, CA

Just a short note to say hello and greetings from a long time sox fan, since 1975 to be exact. I am from California and my wife is from Mindanao, Philippines. Your profile leads me to believe that you are Filipino, but if not please accept my apology f or the assumption. My wife is a former college softball player in college and now a huge sox fan since 2004, the year I married her.

HM -- Hi Sandy, yes I am from the Philippines and raised in Toronto, Canada. It's great to hear from sox fans in California - there are a lot of you on the west coast -- nice!
2004 was a great year for both your guys AND me. It was my first year in New England, and that magical world series win!!

…

HM -- Hey, gang there are a lot of you who are asking my thoughts on Mark Teixeira to the Angels. My first reaction is WOW! The Angels just put themselves in an even better position to win the AL, heck maybe even the world series. Here's a guy that can single handedly change the face of a game. He can hurt you in so many ways.. defensively and of course with his bat. Teixeira will bat third I hear, and if you think Teixeira can hit, think of the kind of pitches he's going to see with Vlady Guerrero hitting behind him -- talk about protection, huh? Teixeira seems to be the go-to guy before the trade deadline. The rent-a-star. He gave the Braves a huge lift last year at this time, and there's no doubt he'll do the same in those "heavenly" angels colors..