He said the lateness of his decision to sit Ramirez stemmed from a lack of ''privacy" in the Sox clubhouse once the media are allowed in, which is why he didn't meet with Ramirez, he said, until after the clubhouse closed again at 6:20 p.m. Francona, who originally had Ramirez batting cleanup and playing left field on the lineup card posted in the clubhouse, denied that Ramirez had come to him a half-hour before the game and asked to be taken out of the lineup, then 15 minutes later said he wanted to play, a version of events provided by a source who had spoken to high-ranking club officials.
''I went to him today," Francona said. ''I thought that was the best way to do it. He's got some things flying around. I've got an obligation to everyone in the ballclub to communicate, set things straight, and in some situations reassure people. I thought it was very successful."
Ramirez was at Fenway Park yesterday morning, working out as he customarily does, but evidently Francona could not find time to meet with him privately, or call him and ask for a private session, before the clubhouse was open to the media.
David Wells, last night's winning pitcher, had some pointed remarks about Ramirez on NESN's postgame show. ''The guy's messing with my cake," Wells said. ''Whatever it is, he better have a great excuse because we need Manny in the lineup. I don't care what, this team needs him."
Greg Genske, Ramirez's agent, who flew in from Chicago yesterday and met with Ramirez before the game, denied any knowledge of his client asking not to play. ''I have heard nothing about Manny scratching himself from the lineup," said Genske.
Ramirez, who came onto the field to high-five teammates after the game and was serenaded with chants of ''Manny, Manny," did not appear in the clubhouse areas open to the media after the game.
