Who doesn’t in L.A. these days?
Manny Ramirez came west from Boston two months ago with a sullied reputation, joining an underachieving team plugging along at .500, fortunate to be playing in one of baseball’s weakest divisions.
His impact has been remarkable in every way.
Almost immediately, the slugger added energy to a previously drab clubhouse and became a crowd favorite. And despite changing leagues, he began one of the best streaks of his career - or anyone’s, for that matter - in leading Los Angeles to its first National League West title in four years.
“I just came to play the game and to show people I could play,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting anything out of myself. I wanted to show people I could run and play the outfield and that was it.”
He’s made a difference in the stands, too, as the fans at Dodger Stadium who traditionally arrive late and leave early spend more time in the seats. There are more people, too, with attendance going up about 4,300 per game since the trade.
By the time the Red Sox traded Ramirez on July 31, both sides were sick of each other. Playing in the final season of an eight-year, $160 million contract, Ramirez forced the move, saying the Red Sox didn’t deserve a player of his caliber and displaying a purposeful lack of hustle at times.
When the split was final, all sides were glad. The defending World Series champion Red Sox wound up with Jason Bay in the three-team deal, and headed back to the playoffs.
Now, shocking as it might sound, Ramirez is a role model and team leader with the Dodgers, hustling at every turn.
“When I left Boston, it was great. A new life. My dream come true. I know a lot of people doubt me,” he said. “Whatever people say out there, well, that’s good because I came and I proved everybody wrong. It feels great. I’m just happy everything worked out great.”
So now, it’s on to Chicago for the start of the playoffs Wednesday against the Cubs.
Dodgers third-base coach Larry Bowa, who’s seen a lot in baseball in his 62 years, said he’s never seen anything close to what Ramirez has done.
“No, not in this short a time, the impact he’s had,” Bowa said. “We weren’t very good at scoring runs. We fell behind by three runs, we didn’t have much of a chance. Not anymore.
“I know he’s playing for a contract, but he’s been incredible. He took a big rap over there. He’s saying, ‘I’m going to show you guys it’s not true.’ He hasn’t been ‘Manny being Manny.’ I mean, he hasn’t done anything to make you say, ‘Oh, God.’
“He loves it here. He lives in the same complex I do here. He goes to a little diner in Pasadena, nobody bothers him. I watched him come in for breakfast, he was left alone. “
Ramirez hit .396 with 17 home runs and 53 RBI in 53 games with Los Angeles, prompting some MVP talk. His defense in left field was flawless as well. He led the way as the Dodgers rebounded from an eight-game losing streak in late August to win 18 of 23 games including five straight over Arizona, turning a 4½-game deficit to the Diamondbacks into a division title.
Would the Dodgers be in this position without him?
“I know we wouldn’t, it’s not just I don’t think so,” Bowa replied. “No, no way. I think the thing I’ve learned about him is his work ethic. There’s a purpose to everything he does. We were on the road, I got up early a few times, I see him in the gym, working out. He’s just made everybody relax, telling the guys to go out and play, have fun.”
Before Ramirez arrived, pregame music in the clubhouse was seldom heard. Now, it occurs daily.
No doubt the atmosphere changed in Boston as well after Ramirez left.
“Everybody was focused on something else other than winning or losing ballgames,” said Red Sox infielder Alex Cora, one of Ramirez’s closest friends. “We would game or lose a game and (the questions were), “Is Manny healthy? Is Manny this? Is Manny that?
“It deviates your thought process and, to tell you the truth, that Friday after the (trade), yeah, people talked about the trade, whatever, but then Saturday, it was over. We were talking about Jason Bay and that was it. We got back to what we are, to who we are, that is play ballgames and forget about everything else.”
First-year Dodgers manager Joe Torre managed against Ramirez for 12 years while he was with the Yankees and Ramirez played for Cleveland and Boston.
“I knew he had a good personality, but I didn’t know how caring he is to other people,” Torre said. “It’s very gratifying to see that. His teammates speak very highly of him.
“The work ethic is what really impressed me. He enjoys playing the game. Sometimes, it’s made fun of because there’s always going to be a replay of some of these funny things. It’s how much fun he’s having.”
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