Manny Bein' Manny

My friend Barb the Evil Genius said she would like me to write about Manny, since she is an Indians fan, and very familiar with him (and since he's been going around advertising that's where he'd like to finish his career as well). Problem is, its just been too busy and too NICE to sit in here on the computer.

But here goes...STUPID GIT...or something that rhymes with that. I'm not concerned for the Dodgers. Manny has been a powerful influence, and his bat is important, but our guys have been doing just fine without him. I knew he'd be trouble one way or another, and have insisted all through the off-season that we did not want this guy if we could not have a contract that would be short, since he gets arrogant and difficult the more secure he is.

Anyway, so that man, and I use that term loosely -- HCG and all, drags us all through a tortuous contract process, knowing he's taking this stuff. He signs the contract, knowing that if he gets caught, he's of no use to us for 1/3 of the season, and who knows how he will be when he comes back.

Not only that, he's called into question our new record of most wins at home at the beginning of the season. Some say we wouldn't have gotten it if Manny hadn't juiced. I don't know if that is the case, with his sore hammy, he has mostly hit doubles, but then again, pitchers don't want to mess with him. He's also called into question all the success he has been associated with his entire career, including Boston's 2004 World Series.

My personal take...I would love for the Dodgers to sue to nullify his contract. I'm sick of these steroid guys (notice how a lot of them seem to be Boras's guys?). I really don't think that losing a few million and sitting for a month and 1/2 is enough. Manny intentionally signed a contract that he knew he might not be able to fulfill, that would put the Dodgers in a bind if this happened. Emphasize to these jerks that if they do steroids, they could lose it all. I don't think it will stop, really stop, until that hits home.

Baseball's Here!!!

Baseball season is here again, and I must admit, after five years here in Indiana, I am still not adjusted to the idea of being horribly cold on the first day. And looking at snow on the ground (though just in patches) is just plain wrong.

But still, all is once again right with the world. My Boys in Blue are ready to play, and I'm excited about the team. I am thrilled with the signings and I love our young guys....and Maggie and I managed to once again obtain Russell Martin for our fantasy team. What more could I want?

Woo Hoo! Go Dodgers!

Manny be Manny

The Dodgers have made some interesting trades. Some of the most exciting I've seen in my time as a fan. First, I must say Marie...you are right about Casey Blake. He is terrific!!!

The other trade, of course, was acquiring Manny Ramirez. There had been a lot of trouble lately regarding Manny. I don't know how much I buy, but I wasn't exactly excited when I heard the news. Surprised, yes. We hardly needed an outfielder, but boy did we need a bat...so I've chosen to look at it positively. I really don't believe we can lose on this one. After all, we only gave up a couple of redundant minor leaguers (we were already strong in relief pitching and catching) and we're not even paying his salary. The Red Sox are (I love the all-inclusive "we" of fandom. As if I am actually put out if "we" DID pay his salary)

Ramirez has two months left on his contract. He will be a free agent and so will be on his best behavior and also really motivated to play. He told ESPN Deportes that the Red Sox have a tendency to villify anyone that they are trying to get rid of, and that is very true. All of a sudden when they had the possibility of getting A-Rod, Nomar, who has been nothing but a joy for the team (well, aside from injuries) and always eager to please went from an angel to a jerk. And so have other players. Even when Manny was, well, being Manny -- I still remember Dan Patrick and Rob Dibble laughing and assuring people that Manny didn't have a bad bone in his body...a flaky one, yes...but not a bad one.

So I'm willing to give him a chance. I like what I see so far. Fox Sports had him holding a stack of signs at the beginning of the game last night saying "Hi, I'm Manny Ramirez....I'm the newest Dodger....Lets have some fun!!" It really isn't often that you hear the Dodgers saying "Let's have some fun." They really are a 'down to business' team (though not like the Yankees). I have to say I like the charisma. I even like the dredlocks and the Dodger Do-Rag.

He's saying how much he loves it and he wants to stay-- the weather and the atmosphere...he went out to dinner last night and no one bothered him. People are used to celebrity. He even said "I've already made $160 million. I want to be here, so the Dodgers can make me an offer and we'll see what we can work out."

(We'll see...he still does have Scott Boras as an agent. He doesn't take lightly to "giving discounts.")

A little impetuous after one night, but he is Manny. I'm not ready to say "lets keep him." But I do hope he motivates Andrew Jones. I do hope this is what we've needed to make a good run into the playoffs and beyond . No matter what, I do think the next couple of months are going to be some interesting baseball.

Comerica Park

It is hard being a Dodger fan and being so far away. Luckily there are things like the MLB package so that we can actually see the games (and In-n-Out commercials. That is tortuous). But the one thing I can say is that it at least affords us the opportunity to see other parks, occasionally. That wasn't too important to us when we lived in L.A. I've never even been to see the Angels at home (and since they keep changing their name and their field's name...I can't keep that straight, either). We did go to see the Dodgers play the Diamondbacks back when it was at "The BOB." (the saddest thing about Chase taking over Bank One was the loss of the coolest park name in baseball). And I've been to see the Padres twice, back when they played at Jack Murphy Stadium (aka Qualcomm). I'd love to see the new one.

But since we've left California, we've seen Coors Field (Rockies), Busch Stadium (Cardinals. We've all been to the old one, and Jeff has been to the new -- that's what happens when you let a Cards fan be godmother to your children), Great American Ballpark (Reds), and now Comerica (Detroit Tigers).

Last month, we went to see the Dodgers play the Tigers (and see them lower themselves to utilizing the abomination called the designated hitter). We went with my parents, who live in Michigan in the Summer. And I must say, I was very impressed. It's not easy to impress someone who is used to one of the most beautiful parks in baseball. Comerica was beautiful, and the fans were great. Some places can't really pump themselves up without cutting down the other team. The Dodgers don't do that...and neither did the Tigers.

(aside) The only time I have heard an opposing team booed at Dodger Stadium didn't have to do with the opposing team...those in the left field seats can't seem to resist chanting "Barry sucks" whenever Bonds came to town. It had nothing to do with his being a Giant. It had to do with his being Barry. But Dodger fans knew it way earlier than the rest of baseball -- it is an ontological thing. (Though I am sure that if Vin went down and graced left field, all who indulged in the ridicule would've hung their heads in shame, condemned by the class that exudes from his pores. No "talking to" would've been necessary) (I don't feel too guilty. The Giants are probably among the worst offenders of beatin' on the opposing team to make themselves feel better about themselves...though they are worse with the Dodgers than any other. Its a good rivalry).

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It was an interesting experience being in a park for a team that had a mascot that actually connotes power. When you think about it, most baseball teams don't have really powerful mascots -- Dodgers, Red Sox, Cubs, Cardinals, Orioles, Blue Jays, Marlins, Angels, Phillies (just to name a few) -- not generally images that can leave you shaking in your shoes, if there really is even an image to think of.

The Tigers use tigers very well, and they don't go hokey, and they easily could. The statues of Tigers that were up above the gates, staring down on us were artistic, gorgeous, and very intimidating. There were heads of tigers (carved in stone, of course, not real) mounted all over the buildings, each gingerly holding a baseball in its mouth, gently holding it in place with its fangs. The scoreboard was awesome, also with two tigers flanking it, looking like they were pacing anxiously, getting ready for the kill). The carousel in the eating commons was composed entirely of tigers, rather than the menagerie of animals that we are used to. The announcer would roll his R's in a subtle growl when he would announce players coming up to bat (though it was subtle enough that it took a few innings to realize he was doing it). I really love how they embraced their "Tiger-ness." But no Tony the Tiger, nothing outright goofy.

The ballpark was small, but it was beautiful . While the Tigers do not have their own parking, there were plenty of lots close by, and plenty of workers willing to herd us in and guide us into a spot. I'd always balked at parks that "went commercial" with rides, bars, stores, and regular restaurants. But the commons area where there were restaurants and bars were nice. They also abstained from the goofy between inning promotions every inning. They had giveaways, but they weren't huge productions or terribly corny (you can have some fun). The Tigers did it all well, and didn't make it seem like an amusement park with a baseball game going on to the side. And I must say, the frozen daquiris (adult Icees) really hit the spot for me!!! (and my mom, too). I'm all for something like "Daquiri's" in Dodger Stadium. (Mr. McCourt...get on that!)

The park itself was flanked by two very old churches. I am sure there was some legal protection there that allowed them to stay in place (registered historical sites, I am sure). The Methodist Church took full advantage of it. They sold premium parking, sold peanuts, had a Tigers memorabilia store, and a chili bar. The church that flanked the other side seemed more quiet.

The game was good...but we lost, of course. The guys behind us were bantering with us the whole game...though as their alcohol flowed, the bantering was a little less coherent (and the sound system was balanced enough so we could hear them....a flaw that is increasingly common).

It was an awesome day. I wish I could say the baseball was as good. There were a few good plays, but it was one of those days where each team was proving who could lose it better, not who was more skilled. But when you have 162 games every year and when your team is in a pitiful hitting slump , there are going to be games like that. (Unfortunately, it is always when we manage to see our Dodgers on the road.) We were in it for a while though.

It was still good to cheer on my boys in blue though. I miss them.

Hu's On First?

It is SO nice to be able to sit and watch baseball again. I've missed my Dodgers so much, and it is so awesome to see them fight so hard against the evil Giants...It even made me happier to sit there and watch the game while I wallowed in my flu-imposed misery.

We have a new middle-infielder this year...he's mostly off the bench, but he's from Taiwan and his name is Chin-lung Hu. Unfortunately, he struck out last night, but how much do you want to bet that the guys at ESPN are eagerly waiting for him to get a hit so that they can make the "Hu's on first!!" call on Sportscenter. I can't wait. If I were manager, I'd have put him on the roster just to be able to say that!

And Joe Torre looks infinitely better in Dodger Blue. I'm so excited for this season!!

What Am I Thinking????

(Ah, Nomar -smile-)

Oh, uh, sorry. Anyway, when I was reading Dr. Veith's comments about the fantabulous Brewers the other day, I realized that I really haven't posted about my beloved Dodgers practically this entire season.

Seemingly, there would be a lot to write about. They are having a really good season. They are going back and forth with the Padres for first place in the NL West. Nomar is still adorably cute (and to think, I was against signing him). Russell Martin is having a stellar year and is healing that gut-wrenching pain after the Paul LoDuca trade (of course, Paul LoDuca is managing to erase that himself, by kind of being a schmuck). Our veterans are relatively cool, and our rookies are exciting. So why do I feel so drab?

Maybe this is what a Cubs fan feels like every year. I can't quite place it. We are often in first place, yet for the first time in several years of hearing that the NL is subpar (despite the fact that our records were better against other divisions than against our own!), I think "if we are in first place, then the NL West stinks this year. "

I have not been fond of Luis Gonzalez, and not simply because he used to badmouth us and accuse us of stealing signs when he was a Dback. He's still a good hitter, but he is not a good fielder anymore, and he often gives up a run through an error for every RBI he gets. Opposing teams are well aware that if they hit the ball to left or to center, they can get a double or make it home if they are at first. It is reminiscent of when we had Jason Phillips as a catcher, and he could NOT get throw to 2nd. We had one team steal 6 bases on him in just a few innings. Gonzo and Pierre just don't have the arms. But with personalities like Jeff Kent and Brad Penny, I think Gonzo's value is probably in the clubhouse.

I'm thrilled to death that Pierre is stealing again, but I'm frustrated with Rafael Furcal. He is playing hurt and I get so sick of players who insist on being on the field and being a liability to the team when they could be on the DL for a while and heal, and be an asset as we race for the playoffs. I still wish we had not signed him, and that we had waited for Cesar Izturis. Defensively, even now, Izzy is better.

I hope we make it to the playoffs, but with this team, I don't know if we can compete once we get there. We are not playing like a playoff team. We are playing like a team that for some unknown reason, happens to get key hits. I don't mind that we don't hit homeruns. I LOVE little ball. But I wish we were better at that. We fight through the whole game. That is something new over the last year or so. There are a lot of games we win in the eighth or ninth. And man, he may not have the charisma of Gagne, but Saito is fabulous.

So I guess I'm kind of mixed up, and I haven't written about it because I don't want to think about it. So, just in case you were wondering....I guess it is just one of those seasons.