
It's baaaaaaack. The Dodgers have announced they will reopen their sub-division in left field named for their star slugger, Manny Ramirez.
Ramirez has returned this week to the baseball field, albeit in the minor leagues. He had the State of New Mexico roll out the red carpet for him as he suited up for the Isotopes, the Dodgers AAA farm club.
Unfortunately for the fans who sold out the little stadium in Albuquerque, Manny's three-game stint turned into a mere two-game appearance after he was scratched from the line up on Thursday during a long rain delay. Can't risk those touchy hamstrings on a rain slicked field, right?
He moves the road show to the Dodgers' Orange County minor league location in Lake Elsinore on Saturday and then he moves to the San Bernardino team for Sunday through Tuesday next week.
His first game for the Dodgers' major league team is expected to be July 3rd in San Diego against the Padres. Mannywood awaits him for the first home game on July 16th.
The Dodgers President, Dennis Mannion told the Los Angeles Times: "We decided to reopen, Mannywood directly based on our fans' interest." Yeah, there's that and the fact that the seats are part of package deal that gives fans two tickets, two special Manny t-shirts for $99.00. They aren't the best of seats in the ball park but when marketed in this manner they are popular.
The circus is ready to come back to town.
Jim Lakely covers the Dodgers for Examiner.com, here FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER