MLB: Aug. 1, 2005

Manny Ramirez, accompanied by Kevin Millar, interrupted manager Terry Francona's news conference Sunday and said he wanted to remain in Boston and win another World Series. Francona tried to tell Ramirez that they would gather later, but he might as well have been speaking Japanese. -- New York Times

Manny Ramirez began his day with a rare proclamation that he was a happy camper once again. Ramirez didn't start yesterday, but he received thunderous ovation when he was announced as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the eighth and delivered a single to give the Sox a 4-3 win over the Twins. "This is the place to be," Ramirez said. -- Boston Herald

Pedro Martinez said he wasn't disappointed that the Mets didn't acquire his friend Manny Ramirez from Boston. "I started off my year with my team and I don't mind finishing it with them," said the pitcher, who said he hoped Ramirez was happy in Boston. -- Newark Star-Ledger

The move that would have had the most impact on the Yankees was the one that never happened. Brian Cashman's crosstown counterpart, Mets general Manager Omar Minaya, could not extract Manny Ramirez from the Boston Red Sox. The Yankees made one minor deal yesterday, trading reliever Buddy Groom, who was already off the roster, to Arizona for a player to be named or for cash. But they added no players, partly because Cashman would not part with the Yankees' best prospects, and partly because the market was so thin. -- New York Times

Dusty Baker loves LA, but doesn't want Dodgers manager Jim Tracy's job. The Los Angeles Times quoted a source saying "[Baker] would love the Dodgers to come calling and then hope the Cubs would let him go." "I don't know where these things come from," Baker said Sunday. "I've got a year and some chance on my contract [with the Cubs]. I've never not honored a contract I my entire life." -- MLB.com

The Yankees attempted to obtain a pitcher from the Cleveland with Indians Kevin Millwood, Bob Howry and Scott Sauerbeck on their wish list. But the Indians would not make a deal in the midst of a wild-card race. The Yankees were confused by the inactivity of the Pirates and Devil Rays who held on to several attractive players despite being out of contention. The Yankees were interested in Pirates pitchers Mark Redman, Jose Mesa and Rick White as well as Tampa Bay closer Danys Baez. The San Francisco Giants told the Yankees they were keeping left-hander Scott Eyre. -- New York Times

With the Yankees not having acquired a center fielder before yesterday's non-waiver trade deadline, Tony Womack will be -- to some extent, large or small -- part of the mix at the positions. Joe Torre said Womack, Bernie Williams and Bubba Crosby will share time in center field. -- Newark Star-Ledger

After repeatedly speaking to the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins regarding Alfonso Soriano, the Texas Rangers were "never compelled to make a deal," general manager John Hart said. -- Dallas Morning News

As Sunday's trade deadline came and went, the Red Sox and Twins were talking about a deal that would have sent Triple-A third baseman Kevin Youkilis to Minnesota for lefthanded reliever J.C. Romero. However, the Red Sox were reluctant to deal their third baseman of the future and the deal was not made. The Sox had been reportedly pursuing Romero for the last few weeks. Boston's only trade near the deadline came Saturday, the Sox acquired Jose Cruz Jr. from the D-Backs. -- Boston Globe

Rich Aurilia was shocked to be wearing a Reds road uniform in against the San Diego Padres Sunday. "How can Geoff Blum go to the Chicago White Sox and I'm stuck here?" he asked. The Padres traded infielder Blum to the White Sox Sunday. Aurilia's unhappiness began when he was moved to second base after losing his starting shortstop job to Felipe Lopez. -- Dayton Daily News