Steve Lopez gives up on Manny, and his World Series tickets

Times columnist Steve Lopez is fed up with Manny Ramirez. He's so disgusted with the Dodgers slugger that he's decided to give up his own World Series tickets. The Dodgers, of course, first must defeat two playoff opponents to reach what would be their first World Series since 1988, but if it happens, Lopez won't be joining them there:

So here I am with World Series tickets in my hand and a wave of hysteria sweeping the city. I'm sorry for being the cockroach in the punch bowl, but I can't bring myself to join the party. The only thing that could get me to the ballpark in the post-season would be if Manager Joe Torre were to staple Manny's dreadlocks to the dugout wall and play Juan Pierre in his place. I'd rather lose with a scrappy singles hitter like Pierre than win with a loafing slugger like Ramirez.

Maybe I'll be in a more forgiving mood next year and return to the ballpark -- I just don't know. But I'm giving my World Series tickets this year to the person who writes my favorite 50-word sermon to Ramirez.

Read the full column here. For Steve to consider your sermon of no more than 50 words, post it as a comment below by noon Pacific Daylight Time on Friday, Oct. 9, 2009.

Comments

[Pancho Villa]

Dear Mr. Ramirez,
You violated the law and cheated when you ingested drugs to perform better than your rival. You committed fraud. You could atone for your disgraceful behavior by donating 1/2 of your salary to save thousands of African children from dying by buying inexpensive medicines for them.

[Diana Davila]

Oh where do I start

Manny - As a mother of A former little league Baseball player, now growing up playing high school ball. I've seen in these kids which most MLB players have forgotten - The love of the game. How lucky are you to be playing a sport I know you once loved. Now it's all about the money, the endoresments and what is in it for me syndrome.

Your Mannywood "Fans" out in Pavillion and left field, if they had sense enough to stay away from the over priced beer they'd see you for the fraud you really are. WE TRULY LOVE LA do you? Don't know who is worse, The General manager that allows you to play for purpose of merchandise sales or Joe Torre who succumbs to pressure to play you when you have an able and ready player in Pierre that will get the job done.

Entering the playoffs, all I can say is CON GANAS!

[Diana Davila]

Oh where do I start

Manny - As a mother of A former little league Baseball player, now growing up playing high school ball. I've seen in these kids which most MLB players have forgotten - The love of the game. How lucky are you to be playing a sport I know you once loved. Now it's all about the money, the endoresments and what is in it for me syndrome.

Your Mannywood "Fans" out in Pavillion and left field, if they had sense enough to stay away from the over priced beer they'd see you for the fraud you really are. WE TRULY LOVE LA do you? Don't know who is worse, The General manager that allows you to play for purpose of merchandise sales or Joe Torre who succumbs to pressure to play you when you have an able and ready player in Pierre that will get the job done.

Entering the playoffs, all I can say is CON GANAS!

[there in 1969]

Oh, everywhere in Southern California the sun is shining bright;
Scully is talking baseball; his calm, reassuring prose a genuine delight,
Dodgers such as Robinson and Campanella and Koufax and Lasoda are those we laud;
But there are only boos for you, Ramirez, because we know you are a fraud.

[Dan Potter]

Manny, Manny, Manny….

…. The day you stopped trying to get pregnant was the day your bat some producing (or reproducing). Yes, I was at your bobble-head night and wow was that an exciting 6th inning homer and the Dodgers won! But I still put a skirt on your bobble-head.

[Emmanuel Espinoza]

My name is Manny too!
When the fans would cheer my name, I’d stand and jokingly say “you’re welcome”.
Now I can only tell them I’m sorry on his behalf.
My six year old son looked up to him – he found it truly engaging, seeing my name cheered.
He tells me now not to worry, that I’m still a good Manny.

[Ryan]

Frank McCourt saw no evil

paying forty million for novelty dreadlocks.

His Dodger Blue blood is purple

contaminated by those damned Red Sox.

[Chris Blood]

The Soloist II. Paid $20 million, he dogs base paths and fakes fielding attempts - in a league of his own. Ditches White House reception- marches to his own beat. In MannyWorld, players are divided into two groups: 1) Manny, and 2) supporting cast. But does Jamie Foxx do dreads.

[Pam G]

Booing at last! What has baseball become that one season Barry Bonds can be scorned and another Manny Ramirez embraced? The Dodgers have a spoiled child that needs to be benched for the remaining games and his contract terminated. His arrogance is intolerable.
Stop the hideous sideshow and play ball!

[Ryan]

Frank McCourt saw no evil

paying forty million for dread locks.

His Dodger Blue blood is purple

contaminated by Red Sox.

[Steven Ernst]

Hey Dodger Fans
Manny's your man
Used to swing a hot bat
Cheerios sez the man
Hopes Lopez unnerstans'
Don't know anything 'bout that

Lackadaisical Manny
Sits on his fanny
Plays like he just doesn't care
The balls skid by
Oh dear, bye bye
Only thing goin' is his hair

[Steven Ernst]

Hey Dodger Fans
Manny's your man
Used to swing a hot bat
Cheerios sez the man
Hopes Lopez unnerstans'
Don't know anything 'bout that

Lackadaisical Manny
Sits on his fanny
Plays like he just doesn't care
The balls skid by
Oh dear, bye bye
Only thing goin' is his hair

[Carey Peck]

Manny:

YOU DON'T GET IT.

You an addict. We know it. You dog it. We know it. Maybe you were a phony all along. Cooperstown? Well, stay on this course and forget that too.

I don't care about you anymore. I'm just glad people are telling it for what it is.

[Matt H]

It’s all about the kids, Manny. When you see them running the bases before the game, do you understand how far off base you are? Do you dread seeing them wear the dreads? Maybe you do. Maybe that’s why your head hangs so low these days. Maybe…

[Stephanie Locker]

Manual Ramirez is a snake. He deserted Boston like the original serpent slunk away from the Garden. He collected his $37.3 million with an appalling absence of effort. There is no doubt that when this season slips away, L.A.’s Medusa clone will depart as smoothly as a $7.7 million apple.

[Stephanie Locker]

Manual Ramirez is a snake. He deserted Boston like the original serpent slunk away from the Garden. He collected his $37.3 million with an appalling absence of effort. There is no doubt that when this season slips away, L.A.’s Medusa clone will depart as smoothly as a $7.7 million apple.

[Mike B.]

As the last affordable major sport, baseball has a special trust with the people. When that trust is violated, one must seek forgiveness. Forgiveness comes from admission and repentance. True penance is a change in ways and beliefs. One must work for and earn forgiveness by showing these changes.

[Anthony Reece]

Manny, You left Boston because you wanted to do things your way. You came to L.A. and tried for a bit but you got tired and went back to your old ways. Cut the dreadlocks and concentrate. Play ball to win instead of just being yet another overpaid,overhyped player.

[William Snedden]

Talent heaven given
Femones freely taken
Fans refuse to call to task
This is not the time for, don’t tell, don’t ask?
The sport is in transition
We should all be on a mission
To break the choke of me and greed
And it needs to start with Manny

[Richard Walden]

The Soloist's not one of nine
and hits it out most every time
with magic fingers, heart and wooden cello
lives modestly, a fine if troubled fellow

But old Manny's $25 million
Buys us nothing but swinging wood
and slow, slow feet which don't chase down
the balls he could.

[scullyist]

Manny, don't let the grumps like this columnist bother you. Athletics is all about ups and downs. You inspire us because you're human. And you possess that oh-so-rare combination of talent AND personality (which seems to have been practically outlawed for decades.) We need you to step up today, tomorrow.

[Cheryl F.W. Davidson]

Time to man-up, Ramirez! You took girlie hormones and blamed it on the doctor...so who is to blame now? Nothing comes without a price.. not your fame, fortune or legacy. Be the player kids will read about and say he was it in the day. Be a man!

[Richard Walden]

Manny $25,000,000 - guaranteed
Nathaniel $0.25 - at a time

Manny .250 lately
Nathaniel 1.000 over several seasons

Manny 19 HR
Nathaniel a HR every day

Manny LA Dodgers
Nathaniel LA Phil.

We choose our heroes none too wisely

[John L. Rodriguez]

Manny, you can kiss my fanny. How dare you disrespect Dodger blue? Koufax's no hitters, Wills stealing second, Fernando pitching, Gibson's hommer, Garvey, Russell, Cey, Lopes. We have tradition here. To wear the uniform Jackie wore. You really have nerve. Ramirez, you are a disgrace to this place, Dodger Stadium.

[John L. Rodriguez]

Manny, you can kiss my fanny. How dare you disrespect Dodger blue? Koufax's no hitters, Wills stealing second, Fernando pitching, Gibson's hommer, Garvey, Russell, Cey, Lopes. We have tradition here. To wear the uniform Jackie wore. You really have nerve. Ramirez, you are a disgrace to this place, Dodger Stadium.