Halloran: Time to man up, Manny apologists

As a recovering Drew Bledsoe apologist, believe me, I know what it’s like to fight a losing battle. I thought of Bledsoe as a franchise savior and a future Hall of Famer. So, when some lanky kid showed up and started throwing five-yard slants and dumpy little screens and the Patriots started winning games in an efficient but boring and low scoring manner, I said it was the defense, the field goal kicker and just dumb luck.

But somewhere along Tom Brady’s journey to the Hall and Bledsoe’s journey to oblivion, I had to bail out. I had to admit I was defending the indefensible. Now, I’m looking for Manny apologists to do the same.

You’ve defended him even when he was so blatantly guilty of things you would usually find indefensible.

Slapping a teammate is done all the time, you explained. Pushing an old man down is something he apologized for and we should all move on, you argued. He’s not the only player who doesn’t run out ground balls, you reasoned.

You overlooked his unwillingness to pinch hit and his refusal to play on a scheduled day off when it turned out he was needed. You think it’s charming when he forgets how many outs there are, or when he uses the left field wall as a bathroom, or when he high- fives a fan in the middle of a play. You roll your eyes, but accept his apathetic laughter when he messes up in the field.

You’ve forgiven him for everything, and so have the Red Sox. They need his production, and you crave it. That’s why you cheer for and defend a player whom you believe is capable of tanking it. Even though you may think he quit on his team at the end of 2006 — and even though you have your doubts about his current and alleged knee injury — you maintain your allegiance and continue as a devout Manny apologist.

But it’s time for you to bail. What Manny did Friday night was exactly what Nomar Garciaparra did in 2004. It was July 1, 2004, when Nomar sat out a game against the Yankees, unwilling to so much as pinch-hit during a 13-inning loss. Nomar sat while Derek Jeter dove face first into the stands, and then Nomar played the very next day, going 3-for-5. And you never forgave him for it.

That was Manny in a 1-0 loss on Friday night. While an MRI revealed there was no injury, Manny sat, but he was ready to play nine innings in the field the very next day. Unless you’re in the very exclusive club of Manny AND

Nomar apologists, you should have a consistent reaction to both incidents.  

Sorry, but it’s time to stop apologizing.

Bob Halloran is a sports anchor and reporter. He’s also the author of “Irish Thunder: The Hard Life and Times of Micky Ward,” published by The Lyons Press.