NEW RULE

Athletes are athletes.

Jonathan Papelbon: “It just takes one guy to bring an entire team down, and that's exactly what was happening. Once we saw that, we weren't afraid to get rid of him. It's like cancer. That's what he was. Cancer. He had to go. It [stunk], but that was the only scenario that was going to work. That was it for us.”

Manny Ramirez is arrogant, egomaniacal, and smug. He is not Astrocytoma, Esophageal, or Sarcoma. Ramirez is not cancer. His antics are not fatal. His assertions are not lethal. His attitude is not mortal.

Athletes must consider their criticism. They must moderate their words. Passion is admirable. However, athletics are not imperative. They are an amusement. They are insignificant. Papelbon’s words underscore this.