Pertinence (or, maybe not)

From Today's Globe:

Boras said Ramírez, 36, wants to play at least six more years and expects to command a salary similar to Alex Rodriguez's. Boras negotiated a 10-year deal with the Yankees last year that guarantees Rodriguez an average of $27.5 million a season through 2017, when he will be 42.

Boras also struck a five-year, $90 million deal for Barry Bonds with the Giants in 2002 that ran until Bonds was 42.

"There is no question that Manny is in the same category of those extraordinary hitters," Boras said. "And Manny has done something those hitters have not done. He has won two World Series rings."

If Dave Roberts had been 1/5 of a step slower:

"And Manny has done something those hitters have not done. He has won a World Series ring."

If Josh Beckett had only been above-average and not otherworldly:

"And Manny, but for the slimmest of circumstances, would have won two World Series rings."

I'm not interested in demeaning Manny's contributions to the Sox' two championships, but there is something arbitrary in citing these rings as evidence of anything other than circumstance.  But for a bullpen implosion, Barry Bonds would have a ring.  But for an historic collapse (and several years playing for Seattle and then a greed-influenced interlude in the success-vacuum that is Arlington), Alex Rodriguez might have one too.  Citing Manny's rings isn't where I'd necessarily rest my laurels were I Manny's agent.  I'd just stick with the ungodly hitting ability.