Manny Ramirez

Greetings from the Bally’s Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Since I am on a business trip and my time is limited, I thought I would group a couple of posts into one.

By the way, if you want to feel better about yourself, just walk around in the Bally’s casino at around 8 o'clock in the morning. It’s not a pretty place.

Let’s see what is going on around the majors.

Jacoby Ellsbury has broken ribs

For every Phil Mickelson Masters moment that fuels our optimism and confirms that the sporting fates have a firm sense of morality, there are at least as many examples of the contrary. Episodes where Lady Luck jilts the White Knight, and instead shacks up with the leather-clad Lothario that plays by nobody's rules.

Not even his own.

(Bonus points if you recognize that bit of hybrid pilferage).

Case in point of this latter blight would be the San Francisco Giants' three-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers that just concluded on Sunday.

David Ortiz’ recent profanity-laced tantrum with the Boston media isn’t his first meltdown, and if he continues to hit poorly, Big Papi’s spoiled inner child will certainly rear his ugly head once again.

Yet Papi isn’t the only head case roaming the diamonds of America’s pastime. As you read this, half-whacked megastars and journeymen alike are getting ready to take the field all over today’s MLB slate.

They are all so different.

Well, there are thousands of new skeptics-turned-experts out there. The controversy surrounding Torre's decision to tab Vicente Padilla as the Dodgers' Opening Day starter over the youngster Clayton Kershaw culminated in the struggle of Padilla to hit his spots in the early innings.

They say nobody's perfect.

That may be true, but that won't stop me from trying to create the perfect baseball player.

In this article I will combine players with specific talents to create the perfect baseball player.

P.S.: I want to apologize to Mo Vaughn in advance (you'll find out why momentarily).

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The Los Angeles Dodgers won the NL West by three games last year after posting a 95-67 record; unfortunately for Los Angelians, the 2010 season doesn’t hold nearly as much promise.

The ballclub is in trouble… that’s “trouble” that starts with “T” that rhymes with “D” that stands for “d-i-v-o-r-c-e-”!

The Los Angeles Dodgers certainly have weapons on their roster and thus far this Spring, those weapons have been on display. The Dodgers arsenal gives them an edge entering the regular season and a foundation to campaign for a playoff spot. Five essential strengths have to be met in order for a major league club to succeed:

Effective pitching is key. Pitching that keeps the other team from scoring provides an easy-street to wins.

A productive 3-4-5 in the line-up to drive in runs ensures plenty of offense to back up effective pitching.

DEFENSE.

Next time Torii Hunter not only should have a better choice of words, but also get his facts right.

The Angel outfielder should know that the latest sensation to come from Latin America, Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman, was signed to a six-year, $30 million deal by the Cincinnati Reds.

Pity the prima donna who loses her voice.

Manny Ramirez is a prolific hitter. He’s also a perennial headache. In 17 big league seasons, the Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder has justified his shenanigans in the clubhouse with his statistics on the field—which would be better news if his recent numbers didn’t raise the specter of a looming collapse.

Distinction means running ahead of your peers.

Decline, on the other hand, means fading back into the pack.

There’s much to dislike about Manny Ramirez, from the absurd drug-related bust to the ridiculous antics, to the worthless quitter he is.

Losing much sleep on whether he’ll return next season to Dodgertown is pointless, and dwelling on the disturbing topic creates a ruckus with spring training a week away.