Reunited and It Feels So Good

Manny when he first arrived in LA. AP Photo/Chris Carlson

It's actually true. Manny Ramirez is a Dodger.

After passing his physical Tuesday afternoon, the Dodgers issued a press release officially announcing the signing. With that the biggest offseason hurdle has been accomplished for the Dodgers.

With Manny in the lineup, he suddenly makes the Dodgers relevant. How's this for a lineup:

1. Rafael Furcal
2. Orlando Hudson
3. Andre Ethier
4. Manny Ramirez
5. Matt Kemp
6. James Loney
7. Russell Martin
8. Casey Blake
9. Pitcher

Not too shabby. A Dodger lineup in years past that has been woefully deficient now looks poised to be one of the better hitting line ups in the National League provided they stay healthy all season. But why ruin such a wonderful day by forboding?

Now a lot of people during these last four months talked about Bad Manny - the disgruntled Manny that forced his way out of Boston would make a reappearance because he didn't get the deal he wanted. Well Manny went on damage control Monday night when called up LA Times’ columnist TJ Simers.

"I'm happy in LA," he told Simers. "I like my teammates and had a great time. The fans were so good to me; they treated me the best anywhere in my career."

Manny. You had me at hello. Actually you had me in your first Dodger at-bat when you promptly grounded Randy Johnson's first pitch to the shortstop to open things up in the bottom of the second inning.

While those insufferable Bean Eaters complain what Manny did, I'll just be sitting there in the top deck right behind home plate grinning from ear to ear each time Manny rips one out or steals a base.

At 9:30 am the presser formally announcing the contract will be broadcast live on Dodgers.com.