That sound you heard was Jason Varitek gulping

Why is the captain gulping?

Because he knows his contract is up...
And, despite an insane All Star selection, he is having a rotten year at the plate.

He wants a contract extension.
He wants to come back and remain being the captain of the Red Sox.

And he knows he has a GM who is as sentimental as Michael Corleone at the Baptism.

Manny Ramirez... 2004 World Series MVP... Hall of Famer... minute it helped the team for him to be gone, off he goes.

Johnny Damon... the face and the sex symbol of the 2004 champs... gone.
Pedro Martinez... the maestro ace whose acquisition in 1998 changed the face and direction of the team... gone.
Nomar Garciaparra... whose very name became a Massachusetts accented rallying cry... gone.

And the Red Sox won a World Series without Damon, Pedro and Nomar...


No doubt the negotiations will unfold like Tessio's last moments with Tom Hagen.
"Theo... can't you let me off the hook? For old time's sake."
"Can't do it Tek."

Take a good look at him, Sox fans.
He's as good as gone.

And the Sox will do fine.