BOSTON (AP) – Returning to Fenway Park the day after star left fielder Manny Ramirez was traded, some Red Sox fans were not happy his era with the team had abruptly come to an end.

Boston sent the unhappy outfielder to the Los Angeles Dodgers and outfielder Brandon Moss and reliever Craig Hansen to Pittsburgh for Jason Bay just before the trading deadline on Thursday.

“I didn’t really agree with it. I feel like he’s given a lot. I feel like he’s one of the greatest hitters in the MLB,” said 26-year old Dan Horan of Boston, wearing a Ramirez T-shirt that he said was in support of the star. “To give him up in a pennant race is tough. I don’t know what happened behind the scenes, but its tough. I thought he brought a lot to Red Sox nation.”

Ramirez’s career in Boston, which likely solidified his eventual Hall of Fame berth – ended with him fifth in team history with 274 homers, sixth with 868 RBIs and ninth with a .312 average. Earlier in the season, Ramirez became the 24th player in major-league history to reach 500 home runs.

He was in the final guaranteed year of an eight-year, $160 million contract, and the Red Sox held $20 million options for the next two seasons.

“It’s a shame that you always give someone up in the year of free agency. They should have held onto him until the end of the year. Wow. Eight years,” said Dan Wright, 39, from Toronto, Canada, buying a No. 24 Ramirez home jersey across the street from Fenway before Friday’s game against Oakland.

At the team’s official souvenir store, fans were lined up at a table selling Ramirez merchandise that was 50 percent off.

“We miss Manny. We liked Manny. Best pure hitter in the major leagues,” said Bob Foley, 39, from Coventry, Conn.

Foley’s 11-year old daughter, Kelly, came with a homemade sign that read: “We miss Manny.”

“I don’t think they should have traded him, but it happens,” she said.

Ramirez had made it clear in recent days he wanted out of Boston. On Wednesday he told ESPNdeportes: “The Red Sox don’t deserve a player like me. During my years here I’ve seen how they have mistreated other great players when they didn’t want them to try to turn the fans against them.”

Teammate David Ortiz acknowledged he’ll miss his slugging partner.

“Manny and I were friends,” Ortiz said in the clubhouse before the game. “Of course I’m going to miss him.”

Ramirez had a message for his Fenway fans at his first news conference in Los Angeles.

“I want to say something from the bottom of my heart,” he said. “I want to thank the fans in Boston. I love you guys. I just want to move on.”