New York.– Manny Ramirez isn’t masking his feelings: He wants to know when, or if, the Red Sox plan to keep him around beyond the 2008 season.

But even the most steadfastly loyal of Manny’s many admirers - and, lo, there are many of them in Red Sox Nation - will agree the Hall of Fame-bound outfielder is getting off to a rocky start in his quest to: a) get those two one-year options in his contract picked up; or b) land an entirely new deal.

His boorish behavior a few weeks back in Houston, where he shoved 64-year-old traveling secretary Jack McCormick to the floor about a request for game tickets, should have inspired Manny to perhaps chill a little, to just, you know, be Manny.

Yet during the All-Star Game hoo-ha in New York this week, Ramirez found the time, through the Herald’s Rob Bradford, to fire a warning shot at the Red Sox as he begins the second half of what could be his final season in a Red Sox uniform.

“I want to know what’s my situation.” Ramirez told Bradford, which is a little puzzling when you consider even casual Sox fans know his situation. The club holds two one-year options on Manny’s contract, each of which, if exercised, amount to $20 million. If the Red Sox exercise the option for 2009, Ramirez remains in Boston for at least one more season. If they do not, Ramirez is free to sign with a new team.