Only last week, Manny Ramirez changed his mind every day about whether he'd tag along with more than 30 Dodger players and coaches when they went to play a three-game exhibition series in Taiwan.
It was curious that he was among those listed on the roster that included minor leaguers and roster hopefuls along with only three players besides Manny who had been with the Dodgers at the major league level in 2009.
Now thanks to Jon Weisman at Dodger Thoughts, the answer is clear. Focus Taiwan reported that a promotional appearance fee of $170,000 was waiting for the enigmatic Dodgers left fielder if he took the long trip and mingled with the Taiwanese fans and ball players.
Bros Sports Marketing, the sponsor of the exhibition decided that if it couldn't get the Dodgers to bring a few front-line pitchers and others from the starting lineup, at least the goofy super star would cause a splash.
According to Focus Taiwan, some Taiwanese fans were more than disappointed at the lack of Dodger regulars and asked for refunds.
Ramirez is the final year of a two-year contract with the team and has already been quoted as saying that he doesn't expect to be back next season. He listens to the news and understands the seeming lack of interest in spending big with the team's owners going through one of the most expensive divorces in recent years.
At the age of 39 next year it is not unreasonable to think he will face the fate of other aging sluggers and stars who did not find a welcoming market for their services a a high price. Bobby Abreu in 2009 and Johnn Damon in 2010 come to mind.
If Manny can hook on to some Taiwan marketing ventures and promotional opportunities he wouldn't be the first American to make some dough off the popularity of their sport in another countr
Below and attached, please find the notes for the first two games of the Taiwan Games as well as a roster for the trip and document detailing the Dodgers’ history in Taiwan, China and throughout Asia.
MLB
Taiwan SeriesLos Angeles Dodgers vs. CPBL March 12-13, 2010
Tien Mou Stadium
Taipei, TaiwanGame 1: LHP Eric Stults vs. LHP Ying-Chieh Lin
Game 2: RHP Josh Towers RHP Chien-Fu YangFri: 6:37 p.m. (local)
Sat: 2:07 p.m. (local)
Pitchers (15): RHP Mario Alvarez, LHP Alberto Bastardo, RHP Robert Boothe, RHP Jesus Castillo, RHP Hyang-Nam Choi, RHP John Ely, RHP Francisco Felix, RHP Charlie Haeger, RHP Kenley Jansen, LHP Hong-Chih Kuo, RHP Josh Lindblom, RHP Jon Link, LHP Juan Perez, LHP Eric Stults and RHP Josh Towers.
Catchers (4): J.D. Closser, Gabriel Gutierrez, Lucas May, Jesse Mier
Infielders (8): Ronnie Belliard, Angel Berroa, Jamey Carroll, Chin-lung Hu, John Lindsey, James Loney, Russ Mitchell and Ramon Nivar
Outfielders (6): Brian Barton, Xavier Paul, Manny Ramirez, Prentice Redman, Michael Restovich, Trayvon Robinson
Coaches: Manager Joe Torre, first base coach John Shoemaker, third base coach Lorenzo Bundy, pitching coach Jim Slaton, hitting coach/bench coach Tim Wallach and bullpen catcher Mike Borzello.
HISTORIC SERIES – The Dodgers will face the CPBL in their second-ever games played in Taiwan. The two teams will square off at Taipei’s Tien Mou Stadium on both Friday night and Saturday afternoon and will play the series finale on Sunday afternoon at Kaohsiung County Stadium.
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