I thought it was an odd AB. He didn't even look ready to offer at any of those pitches. He didn't move a muscle. He didn't even follow the ball to the catcher's glove. I made the comment on that game thread that maybe he was up there as a decoy and Francona thought he would be walked. This would pre-suppose that he was injured and couldn't swing. it also occurred to me that Manny had no intention of swinging and that he was hitting his meltdown time of the year where he either quits for a while, demands a trade or both. If he sent an F.U. to the F.O., they'll have to get over it until they can find someone who can hit like Manny. Having heard the stories about Manny's tightness with a buck and his selling of memorabilia and gas grills, I would have expected that he would be pissed by a six-figure fine. Was this retaliation? Maybe, but Manny is generally a good team mate, so I don't think he will hurt his team to send any further messages.