Even if Manny Ramirez signs with another team in the off-season (a likely scenario), his brief stay with the 
Blue Crew has been illuminating. Forget the .400 batting average and noticeable punch he brings to the lineup. It is the “fun factor” that has most rejuvenated the Dodgers. Of course, Ramirez’s light-hearted persona became tiresome for his previous teammates. “Manny being Manny” is as much a complaint as a justification of his aloof, playful antics. But for Torre’s kids, Ramirez’s mirth is exactly what they needed.
Man-Ram’s goofiness is a stark contrast to Jeff Kent’s terminal crankiness. Kent has been one of the few veteran presences on the Dodgers for the last few years. But while Kent has maintained great numbers (in 2005 he led the Dodgers in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging, runs, hits, doubles, home runs and RBI’s), he has at times openly clashed with the younger players, most recently after the team choked away a playoff birth in ’07. Compounding JK’s reputation as a loaner and bad clubhouse guy, was an incident this year in which he openly dissed iconic Dodger broadcaster, Vin Scully. Maybe this is why L.A. Times columnist TJ Simers has sarcastically christened Jeff Kent, Mr. Personality.
So is it any coincidence that during this Dodgers’ playoff run, Jeff Kent has been far, far away?
Am I saying Kent should go, that he’s over-the-hill, or a cancerous malcontent? No. It’s just that his sort of sullen isolationism has not mixed well with the Ethiers, Loneys, and Kemps of the roster. Team chemistry is a tenuous, ethereal thing. And is it any more evident now that the Dodgers’ chemistry has not been good? Perhaps what this young team has needed is not a drill seargant, but a clown — a clown who, conveniently, carries a big stick.
So as the Dodgers advance to the NLCS, I’m thinking Manny being Manny has been good for L.A. No word, however, on Jeff Kent’s viewpoint.
one of the odd things of getting divorced with two daughters at home and no sons was the reality that sports info went with him. it’s not that we hate sports or even dislike them. it’s more that our lives are simply … full.
so, this was fun to read … to get a little bit of sports info … and because of another factor. my ex hated … HATED … “clown” athletes. he and his parents. and they often talked horribly about them. i, much to their continual dismay, have always tended to be drawn to the clowns, to those who add life to the party, or, uhhh, the sports game/field.
it’s fun, now, to be able to enjoy things that are fun without being demeaned for doing so. nice.
It seems like Manny has a certain shelf-life, though, before his act wears thin. But it shouldn’t affect the Dodgers this year.
Anyway, the real reason I’m commenting is to say Go Phillies!
(But good luck to you guys)
Mark, the Dodgers have already exceeded my expectations. But the Phillies in the World Series just won’t have the same buzz. Dream draw: Red Sox v. Dodgers. Subtexts: Torre there w/out Steinbrenner, former Red Sox on Dodgers (Ramirez, Garciaparra, Lowe) out for revenge, Manny jobbing for mega-contract.
I can totally see where you’re coming from. If I wasn’t a Philly fan, I might agree. But when my team has won exactly one (1) championship in its 100+ years of existence, well…the entire team becomes the subtext!