June 2009

The final day of Manny in Albuquerque has officially dawned. And, while the past two days have been unforgettable in more ways than one, there has been great stuff happening at Isotopes Park all around, not just of and concerning the rehabbing big leaguer.

Wednesday had more in store than anyone (specifically 13,076)�could bargain for as the ‘Topes and Sounds went 15 innings, nearly shattering a franchise-record 5:00 game-time mark (the game fell four minutes short at 4:56).�

Most of the Manny action came in the first hour of that epic game. Ramirez saw just four innings of play and two at-bats for the second night in a row, but was given the opportunity for a little more leg work, something he said was essential to his trip to Albuquerque. Ramirez led off the first with a four-pitch walk from Mike Burns (who received a rousing round of boos) and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Chin-Lung Hu. Sitting on second with one out allowed Ramirez to reconnect with the attentiveness necessary when out on the base paths.

Ramirez also moved around a great deal in left, fielding a fly ball for the first out of the game and playing a hit off the wall in the second. With his second at-bat Ramirez grounded out to second before calling it a night.

A whole lot happened after Ramirez exited displaying the stage that Isotopes Park sets for not only once-in-a-lifetime occurrences like a rehabbing Ramirez, but also for the great game of baseball to unravel for 72 days a year.

Wednesday’s game at Isotopes Park mingled the not-so-everyday (a Major League star batting leadoff, a no-hitter into the sixth, a 15-inning game) with the everyday (excitement when the ‘Topes rallied back late, hopes that the home team would pull out the ‘W’).

All in all, while Ramirez has been a main reason fans have flocked to the ballpark, they have not been let down when it comes to viewing great baseball. Tuesday’s 1-0 nail-biter was as rare as rare gets at Isotopes Park, serving as just the second 1-0 contest in team history at home. Wednesday’s 15-inning marathon kept fans on the edge of their seats again when the ‘Topes tied it up in the ninth at 3-3. It would take five more innings before either bullpen would budge.

So, with a buzzing atmosphere in tact over the past two days, it is safe to say the fun generated by Manny’s presence has only been heightened with the the baseball and the environment that has surrounded it.

Posted on June 25, 2009 at 5:41 pm
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Hot Ticket

The city of Albuquerque and its baseball fans experienced something like never before Tuesday night when Manny Ramirez donned a ‘Topes jersey and made his way onto the field in front of a record-high 15,321 fans – the most ever in attendance for an Albuquerque baseball game of any kind. Tuesday’s crowd was followed up with a throng of 13,076 on Wednesday.

The initial buzz around the community started around last Thursday, when reports of the rehabbing Ramirez traveling to the ‘Querq began, steadily growing from speculation to truth. Since then, the city, which already holds a loud and proud L.A. Dodgers loyalty, has simply gone nuts. Talk of Manny is talk of the town!�

And…despite going 0-for-3 with a walk thus far, Manny has not disappointed, entertaining fans with his mere presence.�

On Tuesday:

Ramirez was welcomed with cheers, standing ovations, and hordes of New Mexicans clad in Dodger blue. Fans lined the railing from the clubhouse to the field, sported dreadlocks and welcomed the slugger with signs like “Mannywood, N.M.” and “Man-Ram: Red or Green?”�

Prior to the start of the game, Ramirez spent about 10 minutes signing autographs along the third base stands and next to the home team dugout as well as for members of the Little League Teams of the Game present.

Manny strode on the field saluting the crowd holding up a pair of bats to a roar of cheers. He participated in all on-field activities with his ‘Topes teammates prior to the game and seemed to make instant friends with his temporary team.

In both of Ramirez’s at-bats, the crowd couldn’t help but stand, while flashbulbs blinked in all directions.�

Besides bringing together an entire community around an exciting event, Ramirez’s appearance has created a plethora of national recognition for the city of Albuquerque as ESPN, MLB Network, The L.A. Times, The New York Times and a variety of other media outlets, in addition to the contingent of local media, centered around Isotopes Park.�

The important thing to keep in mind is that Ramirez is here to get back into playing shape. He is expected to play deeper into Thursday’s game, possibly appearing in seven innings.

Albuquerque is just as thrilled to welcome Dodgers representatives, including Kim Ng, Josh Rawitch, Joe Reaves and Manny Mota to The Lab for this special series. �

The Isotopes organization is privileged the L.A. Dodgers were willing, confident and supportive of bringing such an experience to the city of Albuquerque.

For more information about Manny’s visit as well as everything Dodgers, visit the excellent and informative�Inside the Dodgers