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MLB

Manny Returns, Apologizes ... Sort Of

Posted Jul 04, 2009 1:48AM By Jeff Fletcher (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Dodgers, MLB PEDs

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SAN DIEGO -- Manny Ramirez took a page out of Jason Giambi's book.

When Giambi came back to the Yankees after it was reported that he testified before a federal grand jury that he had used steroids, Giambi apologized, but he was careful not to say what he did wrong.

When Ramirez addressed reporters en masse for the first time since he was suspended for 50 games for a violation of baseball's drug policy, Ramirez gave vague apologies, but not much else.

"I want to say I'm sorry to the fans, to my teammates," Ramirez said Friday in a packed press conference before the Dodgers played the Padres at Petco Park. "They were always there for me. I want to thank them for their support. I'm here. I'm excited."

Ramirez smiled and joked his way through a 12-minute grilling from the media contingent, which was about three times the normal size. Ramirez opened the press conference by announcing "It's showtime," but then he dodged most questions about steroids.

"I don't want to get into my medical records," he said.

At another point, Ramirez said: "I don't want to talk about my criminal record."

He didn't want to talk about whether he's tarnished his career numbers either: "I don't want to talk about my legacy. I want to wait till I retire, then I'm going to think about it."

Ramirez said he's ready to accept whatever jeers the fans can dish out.

"I'm used to that," he said. "When you are good, and you are not at home, they are going to boo you. It's going to give me more fire. Bring it on."

Ramirez got a loud reaction for his every move on Friday night, with Padres fans and Dodgers fans -- seemingly split about evenly -- trying to drown each other out. There were a smattering of signs around the ballpark, concentrated in the left field seats, both praising and condemning Ramirez. Cameras flashed from around the ballpark each time he came to bat, a scene reminiscent of Barry Bonds when he was chasing Hank Aaron two years ago.

The first real test of the fans' attitude toward Ramirez will come next week when the Dodgers go to New York. It will also be Ramirez's first appearance in New York since he left the Red Sox. For now, Ramirez has the rest of the weekend to enjoy the relatively friendly Southern California atmosphere.

Latest Manny Ramirez Images

    SAN DIEGO - JULY 3: Manny Ramirez #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers flies out in the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres during the game on July 3, 2009 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. Ramirez was taken out of the game in the sixth inning and ended the game 0-3. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Ramirez

    Getty Images

    Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez tosses his bat after walking during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Friday, July 3, 2009 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez waits to bat in the fourth inning during Major League Baseball game against the San Diego Padres in San Diego, California July 3, 2009. Ramirez, who was suspended for testing positive for a banned substance on May 7, is playing his first game following his 50-game suspension. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL IMAGES OF THE DAY)

    Reuters

    Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez, center, is welcomed into the dugout after two runs scored during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Friday, July 3, 2009 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

    AP

    Los Angeles Dodgers Manny Ramirez tosses his bat as he walks in the first inning of a MLB National League baseball game during his first at bat against the San Diego Padres in San Diego, California July 3, 2009. Ramirez, who was suspended for testing positive for a banned substance on May 7, is playing his first game following his 50-game suspension. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL IMAGES OF THE DAY)

    Reuters

    Fans hold up signs as Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez comes up to bat during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Friday, July 3, 2009 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

    AP

    SAN DIEGO - JULY 3: Manny Ramirez #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers tosses his helmet against the San Diego Padres during the game on July 3, 2009 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Ramirez

    Getty Images

    SAN DIEGO - JULY 3: Manny Ramirez #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers fields a base hit by Everth Cabrera #22 of the San Diego Padres during the third inning on July 3, 2009 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Ramirez

    Getty Images

    Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez warms-up in the batting circle in the sixth inning during Major League Baseball game against the San Diego Padres in San Diego, California July 3, 2009. Ramirez, who was suspended for testing positive for a banned substance on May 7, is playing his first game following his 50-game suspension. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)

    Reuters

    Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez slaps hands with manager Joe Torre after being forced out at second base in the first inning during Major League Baseball game against the San Diego Padres in San Diego, California July 3, 2009. Ramirez, who was suspended for testing positive for a banned substance on May 7, is playing his first game following his 50-game suspension. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)

    Reuters


"It was great," Ramirez said. "It was the best. All my fans drove down from L.A. for the game. It was unbelievable."

Ramirez said he's not surprised by fans who cheer him because "I'm one of the best players who ever put on a uniform."

He was, anyway. It remains to be seen when, or if, he'll get back to that level after missing 50 games.

Ramirez, who was batting in the No. 3 spot, went hitless in three at-bats, with a walk, on Friday night. The outs were weak, a couple groundouts and a popout. He played five uneventful innings in left field, which is almost news in itself, before coming out of the game with the Dodgers leading 6-1.

"I was kind of nervous at first, but once I stepped to the plate I was fine," Ramirez said.

Manager Joe Torre said Ramirez "looked OK... There's no question, he's rusty. The only way to play this game is to practice and he hasn't had a lot of practice, but the at-bat was amazing. It lets you know what kind of hitter he is and how he knows the strike zone."

Ramirez said he will play again on Saturday, but he's not ready to play nine innings yet. Torre said how much Ramirez is able to play will be an ongoing evaluation.

"I think we're all going to find out. None of us have those answers. The one thing I do know is the only way he's going to perform is to play. We're going to write his name in the lineup every day until we see a reason not to."

Dodgers pitcher Randy Wolf said he's not expecting vintage Ramirez right away.

"He took two months off," Wolf said. "I don't care how good you are, it's going to take time to get back. But he's still that threat in there. You've got that name in there that pitchers will have to deal with."

Because of what Ramirez can do on the field, his teammates were ready to forgive, forget and welcome him back in the clubhouse.

"Am I defending what he did? Is he defending what he did? No," Torre said. "Certainly young kids need to get a message that what any of the players did and have been punished for certainly isn't advisable to them. ... As far as his punishment and coming back, do we think we should be banned for life? He made a mistake. He's done his time and now he's going to come back."

Wolf said he doesn't know exactly what Ramirez did, and he doesn't want to know.

"People make mistakes," Wolf said. "It's a mystery, but he's a teammate. I've never been to the playoffs and I've never won a championship and he's going to be a big part in helping out there. We need him."

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