According to the Boston Globe, Red Sox owner John W. Henry confirmed Thursday that Manny Ramirez, who received permission to delay reporting to the Sox until March 1, will not play in the World Baseball Classic. "We want to support the baseball classic," Henry told the Globe, "but it's actually a plus for us that he's coming here March 1 and not playing there." Henry added that the team did not ask Manny to pull out of the event.