There are certainly advantages to being Manny. For example, when you initiate a dugout scuffle with one of your teammates (Kevin Youkilis) and, three weeks later, shove the Red Sox traveling secretary to the ground following an argument after the traveling secretary couldn’t obtain 16 last-minute tickets for you, you don’t get suspended.

If Alex Cora or Chris Smith had engaged in this type of behavior, would they have been suspended?

Of course they would have.

There are probably some underlying reasons for Manny’s sudden combative behavior, reasons that will remain private. But this is simply unacceptable behavior and sends a bad message.

It’s favoritism and it’s wrong.

Manny should have been suspended. So what if it hurts his feelings and makes him want to play elsewhere next year.

The Red Sox can survive without him.

If only he was as combative at the plate as he is in the dugout or with the traveling secretary.

Aren’t you getting a little tired of watching a dispassionate Manny taking called third strikes and casually strolling back to the dugout?

One of the aspects of his game that transformed him into the great hitter that he is (or was) was his competitive nature at the plate, fouling off series of two-strike pitches before he got a pitch he could drive.

He just doesn’t seem to care nearly as much this year.

Funny, isn’t it.

This is the final year of his contract with the Red Sox.

Most players are energized in a contract year because they are playing for a lucrative extension or a new contract with another team.

They want to put their best foot forward.

But Manny has never done things the conventional way. Why should he start now?

Bruton Smith making impact

Bruton Smith is certainly making his presence felt at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The new owner has large shoes to fill. The deservedly revered Bob Bahre defied the odds in building New Hampshire International Speedway in the sleepy little town of Loudon and making it work.

Smith has had his staff members put signs up everywhere to help people find their way around the extensive facility; he has new trams transporting people and there were many more portable toilets.

The facility, including the RV and camp sites, can be confusing if you are attending a race weekend for the first time.

Like Bahre, Smith is someone who gets things done.

He hires people to do research and talk to drivers, owners and fans, then he consults with his staff and forms an opinion and sets his plan in motion.

Smith has deep pockets – Forbes magazine listed his net worth at $1.2 billion – but he earned those deep pockets by making smart business decisions.

He owns seven Sprint Cup tracks and his main focus is on pleasing the fans.

They are on the verge of locking up an Indy Racing League race between Sprint Cup events next year.

Five years ago, this wouldn’t have made much sense.

But it does now.

Danica Patrick brought the series some badly needed attention and is one of the most recognizable faces in motorsports; the IRL and Champ series have finally merged and IRL driver Helio Castroneves received tremendous exposure by winning Dancing with the Stars a few years ago.

lmahoney@bangordailynews.net

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