Mannywood and Mannymania – It was fun for a season!
In 2008, Manny arrived in LA and proceeded to take the Dodgers on his back and carry them to the playoffs. In 2009, he became a distraction, but was still a cog in the Dodger machine. However, this year it was his inability to stay off the DL that cost the Dodgers their chance for a record three years in the post-season. That, and Raffy’s extended stays there as well.
What happened this year was exactly what I feared when the Dodgers signed Manny for two years – and some people wanted the Dodgers to ink him for five? Manny may be productive for a couple of more years as a DH, but his time in LA had expired. I am sure Joe wasn’t playing him at the request of Ned to keep Manny healthy, but I doubt that Joe had to be prodded. Manny was still being Manny. Sometimes he didn’t hustle, other times he did. His fielding was the major concern and he didn’t appear to have fun anymore. Let’s face it, after his 50 game suspension, he was really never the same hitter – he had flashes, but he was not the difference-maker he once was. It was time for him to go and when the Dodgers had someone (ChiSox) step forward, his fate was sealed.
When he got thrown out of the game with the bases loaded yesterday because some Ignorant Savage named Gary Cederstrom, behind the plate called a pitch that was 8″ outside a strike, and Manny dared question him, I thought that Manny got himself ejected on purpose. However, after further review, I really saw no justification, other than the umpire was an Ignorant Savage! I won’t go into some diatribe about the umpires, but I will say that was over-reaction.
Speaking of over-reaction, the opposite was true of Joe Torre. He just sat there while Manny was ejected, serving out his time as Dodger Skipper barely going through the motions. I will be glad when this season is over and he is gone, hopefully with all the rest of the coaches. FREE TIM WALLACH!
The McCourt Divorce Trial Starts today and it should be interesting, unless a settlement is reached along the way. If one side or the other begins to feel the pinch, they will be motivated to settle. You just never know how a trail will go.
Me, I’ve got better things to thing about, like:
- Will the Dodgers try and sign Ted Lilly (a 3-year deal might be nice)?
- Is Ryan Theriot the answer or a question at 2B?
- The Dodgers really won’t try and sign an aging Scott Podsednik? Will they?
- Can the Dodgers find a 3B like, oh, maybe Adrian Beltre and make Casey Blake a super-sub?
- Who will get traded in a blockbuster deal? The Dodgers need a REALLY big bat!
- Can Russ Mitchell be a serviceable backup? He’s really Casey Blake!



























