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

[Elliott]

Hey Shaughnessy, didja get sunburn when you moved out here? Manny is going to rake in the playoffs, and you are going to love it, and feel cheap. Signed, Red Sox and Manny fan.

[Will]

The plaque in Cooperstown that awaits his name will be in bronze. It will be cold and distant; a man’s career reflected in numbers. Like so many others, there will be nothing said of his hustle, his loyalty, even his integrity. This is for a reason.

[Susan]

We wanted to believe in you,
and in turn, we asked you to love us, stay with us, play with us, play for us, be there for us.

You, wanted more money, more drama. More, more. We couldn't do enough for you.

We were duped. Still, you're the loser.

[Laine Scheliga]

Manny Ramirez can be best described as a guy who puts butts in seats by being a big ass.

[Kelly Carson]

If I win these tickets, I will give them to my 100 year old Aunt and Uncle who can still enjoy a Dodger game while Manny the long haired sphincter with dreadlocks struts his walrus looking ass around the field setting the poorest example ever of a Major League Baseball Player.

[Wendy M]

Dear Manny,

I’m glad that you’re fortunate enough to do what you love while getting paid obscene amounts of money. The depth of your gratitude at having such an amazing job while the rest of us can’t even put food in our mouths is obvious to everyone.

Love,

The Fans

[Carlos Palma]

Mr. Rodriguez,

I would like to congratulate you on completing your assimilation into the forgiving Hollywood culture. It seems that no matter how bad one behaves, many Angelinos seem to embrace and forgive you as one of their own as long as it still benefits them, be it for business or fan related folly. You can now be welcomed into the Parthenon of beloved L.A. bad boys that include OJ Simpson, Roman Polanski, Kobe Bryant, Mel Gibson, and the myriad of gangsters that reap fame and fortune via the rap channel. You are indeed home.
all the best,
Carlos Palma

[Brian Curtis]

Manny, the people of LA trusted you. You betrayed that trust, behaving in an arrogant and aloof way. Your penance is to be benched and forced to watch Juan Pierre play every playoff inning the way the game was meant to be played, with grace, dignity and hustle. Amen.

[Justin Murphy]

Manny Ramirez: A forty-five million dollar sauntering contract on cleats that reaffirms my faith as a lifelong Angels fan.

[Jon R]

Hey Manny

Lift that bat off your shoulder. If you're gonna strike out, at least swing at the ball.

Hey Manny

Run after the ball. It's headed your way. Catch it.

Hey Manny

Get your head in the game. The other 24 guys are playing hard.

Why don't you?

[Alex Padilla]

I tell my family to be honest. I try to accomplish this by setting a good example. Apparently, Manny did not get this lesson in life. Too bad, since he is considered a role model.

Those dreadlocks are keeping Manny from seeing the things in life that really matter.

[Morgan Williams]

Manny,

You have more home runs than Mickey Mantle. You broke the curse of the Bambino. You’re a World Series MVP who has more hits than Michael Jackson. Put the steroid scandal in the rearview mirror, ignore these people & do what you do best: win baseball games.

[rick beren]

Two guys from The Bay.
Where ball is played by real men (save for 88') nicknamed "say hey"
We suffered the curse known as "Barry".
Great hits followed by something scary.
Compared, this contest sounds like a lark.
Trouble is, by game four Chavez will be dark.

[rick beren]

Two guys from The Bay.
Where ball is played by real men (save for 88') nicknamed "say hey"
We suffered the curse known as "Barry".
Great hits followed by something scary.
Compared, this contest sounds like a lark.
Trouble is, by game four Chavez will be dark.

[Robert Levenson]

Manny.
We cheered everything you did. We made you a hero. We got goosebumps when you came to bat. But you took the drugs and didn't fess up.
A sincere apology and we would have forgiven . Perhaps with that truth serum you would have forgiven yourself. It's not too late Manny.

[jose dirte]

I bought Mannywood tickets that I really couldn’t afford the week before you were suspended. My girlfriend sewed yarn dreadlocks into my hat for me when you were reinstated. I told everyone who would listen that you were going to take us all the way. Please back me up.

[Laura De Leon]

Dear Steve,
I understand your anger and disappointment over the failure of Manny Ramirez. Yes, he did a stupid thing, and a real apology was due. But if his team mates accepted his apology, then so must I. Also a real Dodger fan doesn't abandon the team because of one bad player. Perhaps you should applaud the players who worked really hard all year like Martin, Pierre, Kemp, Loney, and Ethier (who is really the hero of the year). We're in the playoffs because of them. So hate Manny all you want, but don't abandon the whole team because of one idiot who should have known better.

[Laura De Leon]

Dear Steve,
I understand your anger and disappointment over the failure of Manny Ramirez. Yes, he did a stupid thing, and a real apology was due. But if his team mates accepted his apology, then so must I. Also a real Dodger fan doesn't abandon the team because of one bad player. Perhaps you should applaud the players who worked really hard all year like Martin, Pierre, Kemp, Loney, and Ethier (who is really the hero of the year). We're in the playoffs because of them. So hate Manny all you want, but don't abandon the whole team because of one idiot who should have known better.

[JAS]

Dear Mr. Ramirez

As a super star, you are a fraud. As a baseball player, you are a cheat. As a man, your nonchalant efforts are an affront to the game and to the fans that love it. Donate your unearned millions and leave the city of angels now.

[JAS]

Dear Mr. Ramirez

As a super star, you are a fraud. As a baseball player, you are a cheat. As a man, your nonchalant efforts are an affront to the game and to the fans that love it. Donate your unearned millions and leave the city of angels now.

[Andrew Quint]

What would Manny do?
Would he cheat the league?
- Mannywood
Betray the game?
- Mannywood
Lie to fans?
- Mannywood
Hit a homer against the Yankees to win the Series?
- Manny should
Estrogen comes and goes but fans supply your paycheck.
Forgive you after winning the Series?
Hollywood

[Fred Hill]

The Game of Baseball is all He Had - Manny's Been Good, Manny's Been Bad.

Born to a Talent, He Rose to The Game - Exiled from Boston, left Fenway in Shame.

To Chavez Ravine - Manny Conquered a Season - Then 2009, Without Rhyme or Reason ?

MannyWood, No Wood - Big Blue Dodger Treason !

[Fred Hill]

The Game of Baseball is all He Had - Manny's Been Good, Manny's Been Bad.

Born to a Talent, He Rose to The Game - Exiled from Boston, left Fenway in Shame.

To Chavez Ravine - Manny Conquered a Season - Then 2009, Without Rhyme or Reason ?

MannyWood, No Wood - Big Blue Dodger Treason !

[Johnny P]

Dear Man-Child Ramirez,

Thank you for showing the golden coast what we here in the northeast knew all along. You are an error, wrapped in lack of hustle, inside an a massive ego, with the income of a small nation, and the mind of a child...

Johnny P. Boston Mass.

[Fred Hill]

The Game of Baseball is all He Had - Manny's Been Good, Manny's Been Bad

Born to a Talent, He Rose to the Game - Exiled from Boston, from Fenway in Shame

To Chavez Ravine - Manny Conquered Last Season - Then 2009, Without Rhyme or Reason ?

MannyWood, No Wood, Big Blue Dodger Treason !