LOS ANGELES -- You knew Manny Ramirez was a bit goofy, so you couldn't have been surprised to see him say on the eve of the Dodgers' home opener that he would like to finish his career in Cleveland.So you also won't be surprised to hear his reaction to everyone else's reaction to that.
"[Jim Thome and I] were just joking," Ramirez said Monday as he bolted toward an elevator at Dodger Stadium, with reporters chasing him.
Even before Manny's sheepish backtracking, those around him were shaking their heads and doing damage control for the mini storm he created.
Agent Scott Boras, who conveniently camps out behind the plate at just about every Dodgers game in case reporters need him (wink wink), said this morning that it was all a big misunderstanding.
"Manny is very happy in Los Angeles and continues to be very happy in Los Angeles ... But he did enjoy his time in Cleveland."
Dodgers manager Joe Torre, when asked why Ramirez would say that about Cleveland, smiled and said: "I'd love to ask him that question, but I probably shouldn't."
Good thinking, Joe.
