The Chicago Sun-Times appears to have an agenda.  It isn't totally clear what it is, but after reading through the numerous Ozzie vs. Kenny articles written in the last 24 hours, I can only conclude as a reader that they are trying to run Kenny out of town.

Then, we get all this about Ozzie wanting another extension.  And then the talk guys start ripping Ozzie and blah, blah, blah.  I have my own grassy knoll theory on this one.

Ozzie could be one of the most shrewdly manipulative people on the planet. Right before a home stand that will either get the Sox back in the race or drive a stake through their hearts, the story is NOT the series, it's Ozzie.  And Ozzie vs. Kenny.  And Ozzie and Jerry.  You see where this leads?  Ozzie has hijacked the newspapers.

He gives Joe Cowley three paragraphs of straight talk and suddenly the story is not the Sox anymore, it's Ozzie.  And that is EXACTLY what Ozzie wants.  Because if everyone is talking about Ozzie, they aren't talking about the team.  If they aren't talking about the team, the payroll, the expectations, Buerhle's contract or Adam Dunn's batting average, the players relax and play.

Ozzie knows the pressure is on the players.  So, like a profane Spanglish force field, he raises his shields and makes it about him not them.  They, in turn, go out and beat Minnesota two games in a row, including a nice, come from behind win last night.  But the story is still Ozzie.  And if the headline whoring works and these guys loosen up and somehow win the division, do you think anyone is going to care anymore?

I'll hang up and listen.