The Manny Show is in full effect
I'm pretty sure BK and/or I have already mentioned that as far as clubhouses go, the Dodgers don't feature the liveliest of atmospheres. It's not quite a library, but at the same time, there's absolutely zero need to put a librarian on the payroll to make sure folks keep their voices down. More often than not, it falls somewhere between "low key" and "downright boring," with "fun" at a rare premium. Thus, it's immediately striking to enter the room and hear Latin music- featuring a jumpy beat and funky horns- blaring from an iPod deck. It also becomes immediately apparent that a clubhouse with a locker owned by Manny Ramirez is very different than the one I've become used to covering the Blue for three seasons.
Today was literally the first time I'd ever met the newest Dodger, so I'm no expert on what "Manny being Manny" typically constitutes. Judging by today, however, it means being quite the character. Ramirez refuted a recent report that he changed his mind about abandoning Fenway and really didn't want to talk about Boston at all. When I asked if he had been concerned about what life could have been like if a deal hadn't been worked out, he put me on "pause," complete with a sound effect. But that aside, dude generally stuffed in as much goofiness as possible while fielding questions.
"I feel at home already," responded Manny when I wondered how long it'll take for his situation's newness to wear off and he can feel totally comfortable in L.A. "You're home," insisted a
next-locker-over Mark Sweeney (fairly happy go lucky in his own
right). Manny smiled, then told Sweeney to give him a hug and the two
embraced in front of the lockers.
As regular Blue Notes readers will attest, not a scene typically described in post pre/post game reports.
Beyond that, Manny said he wants to stay in L.A. (completely refuting a report that he never wanted to leave Fenway) beyond this season. The man apparently learns quickly what he likes and doesn't like, because he was able to cite plenty of reasons, despite having played just a game here. "The weather is nice. The stadium is beautiful, man." Plus, he likes that unlike his old city, you can go out for dinner after the game without being accosted. I'm curious to see if that opinion remains after his first encounter with TMZ, but Derek Lowe actually said the same thing a couple days ago, for that's worth. That, and fans that allow themselves to have more fun with baseball, as it sounded like the Saux Nation gets a little too agro for his taste. That being said, he understands the desire to see a guy play hard, which Ramirez says he has been and will continue doing, contrary to the opinion recently express by ex-teammate Curt Schilling. Manny also doesn't really care what the righty has to say. "I'm a new chapter. Why am I gonna waste my energy on what people are gonna say about me."
On a final Manny note, I've never heard a player offer to let a journalist- not me, to clarify- sit in his lap while firing off questions (as you'll hear in the audio). But again, I've never been in a clubhouse featuring Manny Ramirez.
LINEUPS
Snakes
Stephen Drew - SS
Orlando Hudson - 2B
Conor Jackson - LF
Chad Tracy - 1B
Mark Reynolds - 3B
Alex Romero - RF
Chris Young - CF
Miguel Montero - C
Yusmeiro Petit - P
Dodgers
Pierre - CF
Kemp - RF
Martin - C
Manny - LF
Loney - 1B
Kent - 2B
Blake - 3B
Berroa - SS
Kuroda - RHP
AUDIO
- Manny Ramirez, Part I: Download manny_1.mp3
- Manny Ramirez, Part II: Download manny_2.mp3
- Joe Torre, Part I: Download joe_torre_1.mp3
- Joe Torre, Part II: Download joe_torre_2.mp3
AK
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Listening into that Manny interview is like walking into a Baja Fresh.
baja salsa...mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Posted by: Benzo Jones | August 02, 2008 at 06:56 PM
Bob Melvin and the other D-Backs have a pretty solid gripe. The replay shows Pierre's bunt actually did drift foul and it was a fairly obvious call.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 02, 2008 at 07:25 PM
MAAAANNNNNY!!!!
Posted by: DavidS | August 02, 2008 at 07:29 PM
Wow!
What we have here is a real live EARTHSHAKER!
Welcome to Los Angeles, Manny!
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 02, 2008 at 07:30 PM
Another plus of Manny---Kent knocked out of cleanup spot
Posted by: DavidS | August 02, 2008 at 07:30 PM
Manny freakin' crushed that ball. You could tell it was gone the minute it left his bat. That sound.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 02, 2008 at 07:32 PM
Here's a little thing for you to do AK next time you're in the clubhouse. When you see the "excitement" peek out of the corner of your eye and check out Jeff Kents reactions.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 02, 2008 at 07:32 PM
LaRocke 0-3 today
Posted by: DavidS | August 02, 2008 at 07:33 PM
Mike T,
"Here's a little thing for you to do AK next time you're in the clubhouse. When you see the "excitement" peek out of the corner of your eye and check out Jeff Kents reactions."
It's hard to read any reaction when his face is buried in a motorcycle mag. Haha
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 02, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Damn it! I missed the homer! I thought the game started at 7:40.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 02, 2008 at 07:35 PM
U know u made it in LA when ur on TMZ. Congrats Manny
Posted by: XZoom | August 02, 2008 at 07:40 PM
that was some sweet swing
Posted by: Benzo Jones | August 02, 2008 at 07:42 PM
I have to say, for a deal met with crickets, the Casey Blake trade has thus far paid off much better than I (or most, I'm guessing) anticipated. He ain't an All-Star, but he's been more than carrying his weight since arriving.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 02, 2008 at 07:46 PM
FYI. We were just told that Penny's rehab start in OKC went four innings, 6 hits, 2 ER, 1 walk, 4 K's. 55 pitches, 44 strikes, hit 98 mph on radar gun.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 02, 2008 at 07:49 PM
Honestly, I'm happier about Blake's Homer.
Posted by: Benzo Jones | August 02, 2008 at 07:49 PM
Juan Pierre is starting because he is a true leadoff man, which the Dodgers need. Either can hit but he doesn't do what a typical leadoff man does, i.e. steal a lot of bases and lay down bunts regularly. Plus when healthy Pierre is going to get you 200 hits per season. The stolen bases, bunts and 200 hits is what you want from a leadoff hitter.
Either is a good player but is he better than Kemp? Both Either and Kemp can't carry the leadoff spot for the whole season.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 02, 2008 at 07:52 PM
AK,
Thanks for the Bad Penny update! That is awesome news!!!!
Posted by: DodgerBlueBalls | August 02, 2008 at 07:53 PM
Both HR's were sights for sore eyes. Kuroda seems to have it back tonight too.
Posted by: OhioVic | August 02, 2008 at 08:09 PM
In the category of "Things you don't see everyday," I give you "Angel Berroa getting an intentional walk."
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 02, 2008 at 08:12 PM
Blakebeard is swinging for the seats matey! arrrrghhhhh.
Posted by: Benzo Jones | August 02, 2008 at 08:13 PM
A Ramirez, Pierre and Kemp outfiled seems to be right. Once we get a healthy Nomar (don't hold your breath) we will have a very good lineup.
Posted by: steve | August 02, 2008 at 08:19 PM
Mike T -
"Juan Pierre is starting because he is a true leadoff man, which the Dodgers need. Either can hit but he doesn't do what a typical leadoff man does, i.e. steal a lot of bases and lay down bunts regularly. Plus when healthy Pierre is going to get you 200 hits per season. The stolen bases, bunts and 200 hits is what you want from a leadoff hitter."
I hear you Mike, but the facts don't support what you're saying. The Dodgers are 25-31 when Pierre leads off and they are 29-24 when he doesn't. They only score an average of 3.2 runs agame when Pierre leads off and they score 5.2 runs a game when he doesn't. Coincidence ? Maybe, but that's a lot games for it to be one.
Posted by: OhioVic | August 02, 2008 at 08:20 PM
Ohiovic,
You have to realize that the numbers you put up are with a lot of hole in the batting order and played by a club that is less than 500.
Now that we have a real live bat in the middle of the order those numbers should turn around to legitimize a leadoff hitter like Pierre.
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 02, 2008 at 08:26 PM
Mike,
But would those numbers also go up for Kemp witha legit hitter in the 4 hole?
Posted by: TimDodger | August 02, 2008 at 08:41 PM
Once again these kids are making base running errors. And what was the reason why the Dodgers don't want to trade them?
mike t.
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | August 02, 2008 at 08:42 PM