This is the Nomar thing all over again. When Nomar Garciaparra finally couldn’t stand being in Boston anymore and the Sox couldn’t take the clubhouse disruption he was causing, he was traded. Always a bright spot with the fans, the Sox went on anyway – all the way on.

Now it is Manny. Ramirez is pouting, and only the baseball gods know about what. Sox nation is repeating the refrain, “It’s just Manny being Manny.” Time for that refrain to end-for good.

The facts are these. A story in the latest Sports Illustrated says Ramirez has asked to be traded at least three times in the last four years. When the Sox were ready to offer him in a deal with Texas for Alex Rodriguez last year, Ramirez pleaded not to be traded.

SI said Ramirez is unhappy over his lack of privacy in Boston. What? You play in Boston, win the World Series, bat cleanup and expect to drift off unnoticed into the night?

The story said the Sox will not trade him this year. Here’s an update on that. Sox President Larry Lucchino confirmed yesterday that Ramirez has, indeed, again asked to be traded and the Sox will “explore” the possibilities right now.

On Wednesday, the Sox were short a man due to a Trot Nixon injury. Ramirez had been promised a day off Wednesday since he played all four games against the White Sox (as though that were some Herculean feat.)

Manager Terry Francona went to Ramirez Wednesday and asked him to play. Ramirez said he still needed the day off. As Francona said dryly after the game, “Manny looked tired.” Read that quote with all the sarcasm and frustration you can muster.

When teammates Johnny Damon and David Ortiz were asked about the trade request, they said no way Manny asked for that. They are either lying to stand up for Ramirez or oblivious to their teammates desires.

Another teammate who did not want to be named told the Boston Globe Ramirez gets away with murder and is never held accountable for anything.

The world championship honeymoon is over.

Ramirez wants to be traded. He wants to go to New York, where he grew up and where he wants to “play.” He is acting like a child. This is what he wants. He pouts. He lets his team down Wednesday to make the point, sulking on the bench.

Enough. Just as Garciaparra became a distraction the Sox had to move, so has Manny become the same. Child-like adults playing major league ball is nothing new. When the childishness turns to selfishness at the expense of the team, it is time to act.

Ramirez has made it clear he will play when he feels like it and play hard even fewer times until the trade is done. This is not about giving in to a child, this is moving a cancer before it spreads.

Old Town native Gary Thorne is an ESPN and ABC sportscaster.