Ramirez electrifies L.A.
Indignant boos cascaded down Dodger Stadium when the Philadelphia Phillies spoiled the fun for Los Angeles fans by intentionally walking new crowd favorite Manny Ramirez twice in the first two games of their current series.
If rubber chickens didn’t go on sale right away at the team stores, they at least must have been on order, along with the dreadlock caps expected to arrive this weekend.
They figure to join the $280 authentic jersey, the fast-moving No. 99 T-shirts ($29) and the beanies ($15) already on display close to the sign that says, “Los Angeles welcomes Manny being Manny.”
The selling of Manny Ramirez has been on overdrive mode since the Dodgers acquired the idiosyncratic outfielder from the Boston Red Sox in a July 31 deadline deal, and the marketing goes both ways.
Not only has Ramirez proved a boon at the box office and the cash register for his new club – which sold 50,000 new tickets his first weekend and 3,500 T-shirts in his first five home games – but he’s enhancing his case for getting a megacontract in the coming off-season, when he can become a free agent.
Ramirez has been on his best behavior since he arrived in L.A.
Most important, Ramirez has been a terror at the plate, batting .476 with 14 RBIs in 11 games to help the Dodgers stay within a game of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League West race. Ramirez, who has the majors’ top average since the All-Star break at .418, has saved his best for the home folks, hitting .611 (11 for 18) with two homers and eight RBIs at Dodger Stadium.
Clearing the bases
Tampa Bay outfielder Carl Crawford will undergo surgery on his right hand and will be sidelined at least until the final series of the regular season. … Boston third baseman Mike Lowell was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left oblique muscle. … Detroit reliever Joel Zumaya has been put on the 15-day DL because of a sore right shoulder. … Oakland outfielder Ryan Sweeney was placed on the 15-day DL with a sprained right thumb. Also, Athletics third baseman Eric Chavez had surgery to repair damage in his right shoulder and will be out for at least six months. … Kansas City pitcher Juan Garcia and catcher Juan Fortuna, and Chicago Cubs pitcher Starling Peralta were suspended for 50 games each after testing positive under baseball’s minor league drug program.