Carl Mays is another of the short-list candidates for the Hall of Fame’s Veterans Committee.

Continuing the discussion of Hall of Fame candidates currently being considered by the Veterans Committee… I’ve talked at length about Joe Gordon and Vern Stephens. Those are two borderline candidates: I support Gordon’s inclusion and reject Stephens

Yesterday I talked about Joe Gordon , who is on the short list for Hall of Fame induction by the Veterans Committee. Today I’ll take on the case of Vern Stephens.

Let’s be frank, shall we?

Jason Bay, welcome to the Red Sox. Talk about a young man overwhelmed by the sight of Fenway ready to rock itself off the foundation after an extra-innings win. Bay was gracious the entire day, and even when they labeled him the hero of the game and megawatt sideline reporter Heidi Watney took him aside for a party-line postgame candid, he made sure to give credit to everyone else

It happened: Manny Ramírez is on his way to the Los Angeles Dodgers and outfielder Jason Bay is en route  from Pittsburgh to take #24’s place in front of the Green Monster.

In light of my previous post, whereby I supported sitting tight as the clock strikes 4 PM this Thursday and the trade deadline passes, I have come to a contrary conclusion.

Well, the break is here, and everybody can breathe easy for the next four days with the Sox on top of the East by half of a game.

For the rest of my thoughts on the last two Sox-Yankees games (whereby the Red Sox had the winning runs in scoring position with less than one out both times and lost), please see Chad Finn’s lovingly written “Touching All the Bases” post on Boston.com today. LINK CLICK LINK!

Read Bob Ryan’s column regarding Manny . I should’ve seen it earlier.