Mystery Solved

Close fans of the Boston Red Sox have had a question on their minds for more than a year now -- What happened to Pedro?

Not the headhunter who now cashes checks from the New York Mets, but the seemingly life-size Pedro Martinez bobblehead doll that made an appearance in the Red Sox dugout before the All-Star break in 2004, when Pedro was taking one of his annual extended vacations to the Dominican.

I'm not sure if it was meant to deflect the Whiner Line firestorm that was to follow, but I do know the thing was hilarious. It was so real, the only thing that was missing was the patented Manny Ramirez double-point. And so I guess it was no surprise that the bobble ended up in Manny's penthouse loft.

I know this because the guy who wants a trade because he hates being the public eye let reporters and photographers into his $6.9 million condo. Wha? To borrow a pair of Cold War analogies, Manny is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. I'm just hoping he doesn't end up playing for the Evil Empire.