As Manny leaves Bean Town, an era comes to an end in Red Sox Nation. Dan Shaughnessy wrote this morning in the Globe that our last proponent of the "Cowboy Up" and "Idiot" Red Sox has just left for LA, and we can now usher in a new era of a new kind of team.

Remember the days of Kevin Millar's pre-game whiskey shots and his "Cowboy Up" slogan?  How about Johnny Damon as leader of the "Idiots"?  Along with Pedro Martinez, slayer of Don Zimmer, Bronson "Corn Rows" Arroyo, and several others, Manny is the last member of those lovable goof-balls to go.   Yes, it was time for Manny to leave, and I have come to terms with that. And now I look forward to the future success of this new looking Sox team.

I am very excited with how our team is looking for the next few years.  I see a wonderful balance of veterans (great leadership from the Captain Varitek, along with Wakefield, Lowell, Drew, and Casey), a handful of players just about reaching their prime (Beckett, Youks, Papelbon, and now Jason Bay), and a slew of young studs (Pedroia, Ellsbury, Lester, and Masterson).  And of course Big Papi brings so much to the team in both his bat and his clubhouse presence. 

Here's what I see in this team.  A lot of intensity and focus.  I feel that is  that is exactly what we need right now.  While the  gang of  "Idiots"  provided a bunch of great team spirit and fun, the Sox are headed into a new direction  which will hopefully bring several more championships to Boston.

That's not to say we've become boring or un-spirited.  The bullpen band is a hoot, Papelbon's victorious river dance will go down in memories, and a solid team chemistry still exists with great clubhouse presences of Ortiz, Varitek, and Casey.

So I just wanted to say goodbye to Manny and the "Idiots".  It was great while it lasted, but the need for change was apparent, and we can now look forward to this "new" team bringing great success to the Red Sox Nation.