Greetings loyal airmen.  The above shot was taken by Valerie this past Monday night at Fenway Park in Boston.  This was my second ever visit to this historic baseball field.  The first time, back in 2004, we saw them lose to the Chicago White Sox.  I was hoping to see a win this time.  Alas they were facing the best team in baseball this season, the Los Angeles Angels and they were soundly beaten.  Still somewhere in the ninth inning, slugger Manny Ramirez hit a home run.  Little did any of us that night realize it would be Manny's last home run in a Red Sox uniform.

Minutes before the official trade deadline yesterday, Thursday 31 July, the Red Sox traded the famous slugger to the Los Angeles Dodgers of the National League.  And I, and thousands of Red Sox fans across the land, say good riddance.  Manny Ramirez was a home run hitting machine, of that there is no doubt.  And with those home runs, he did contribute greatly to the team's two World Series Championships in 2004 and 2007.  No one can dispute those facts and he surely will be inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame one day.  But who the hell cares?  You see, aside from his ability to hit a ball over the outfield walls, Manny Ramirez is not a good baseball player or teammate.  He is a selfish, arrogant, self-centered jerk who thinks he is better than other players.  Other players who give their all every time they step out onto the field, regardless of their level of talent.  Manny, on the other hand didn't think he had to run the bases hard because he hit home runs.  He didn't think he had to catch every ball hit towards him in left field because he hit lhome runs.  And he certainly didn't think he had to be alert during a game because of his marvelous ability to hit home runs.  Duh? What a role model for kids just learning the game.  As long as you can hit home runs, you don't have to do any of that other silly stuff.  Don't tell ever tell me Manny loves and respects the game of baseball.  All he loves is his paycheck.

For years now his teammates have had to put up with this immature, egotist who, whenever criticized for his awful, non-professional behavior would only laugh and say he was just having fun.  Yeah, right, fun…at everyone else's expense.  Well the fun is over and Manny is bye-bye.  Maybe tonight when the Red Sox take the field, they can devote all their energies again to playing the game they truly love.  The clown has left the ballpark!  Amen.

So, loyal airmen, have you all gone to our Links page and ordered a copy of our latest comic book, BROTHER BONES – BULLETS OF JADE?  No, you haven't?  Well don't worry because if you are in Western Massachusetts this coming Sunday, you can pick one up from me directly.  I, and a few other New England comic creators are going to be guests at a one day comic show hosted by Lowell's own Larry Doherty.  The show itself will be held at – The Radisson – 10 Independence Dr. – Chelsmford, MA 01824 – From 9 A.M. to 4. P.M.  So slap that address in Mapquest and if you are nearby, please, come on down and say hi.  I always enjoy meeting loyal airmen and talking comics, pulps and baseball.  Speaking of such, beside issues of the new comic, my table will also be crammed full of our recent pulps as well, so lots of good stuff for you to get your hands on and have me autograph at the same time.  Hope to see lots of you there.

Finally, Val and I are hoping to see the MUMMY 3 – TOMB OF THE EMPEROR KING this afternoon.  The trailers for this latest Mummy adventure have had me drooling, as I love the idea of our heroes coming up against Yeti (or Abominable Snowmen).  It looks to be a beautifully filmed fantasy adventure and I for one am not going to miss it.

So there you, airmen.  August has arrived ans Summer is racing towards a finale.  Here's hoping the next four weeks are just tons of good fun for all of you.

Ron – Over & Out.