Well, I hope the L.A. Dodgers now know what they got when they finally resigned Manny Ramirez to a two year $45 million contract late last month. They have the biggest conundrum in baseball. Manny Ramirez is exactly what Tom Hanks said in the movie Forrest Gump, "A box of chocolates; you never know what you're going to get." Nobody ever knows for sure what is going through Manny's head, but the latest episode is even more puzzling. Ramirez was quoted by USA Today as saying, "I would like to play for Cleveland one more time to go back where I started .... I have so many good memories there; why not? I think to go back where you started is everyone's dream."
In other words, thank you Dodgers management for giving me $45 million, but the truth is I want out ... that is basically what Ramirez is saying when one week into his first full season with the Dodgers, he is already, ALREADY, complaining about his time in LA in speaking of his desire to play for the Indians again.
The Dodgers are in for a wild ride with Manny. When he was with Boston, it was well documented what a pain in the neck he was for his teammates and management. Whether it was standing at home plate and raising his hands to the air after hitting fly balls to the outfield, or whether it was flopping like a fish when charging for a ball, or even spending an entire inning hiding inside the Green Monster when he was needed on the field; Ramirez continues to find a way to amaze everyone with his behavior.
There is a reason why it took so long for Ramirez to sign with a team. No one wanted to deal with the baggage that Ramirez brings with him, and the media attention that he likes to command. Whether Ramirez is just saying he wants to leave the Dodgers to get media attention away from his sluggish start to the season with only six hits in 21 at bats, with no homers and four RBI, or if he really means it. It is anybody's guess. One thing is for certain, the Dodgers are in for a very long and twisted ride.
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