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Wake-up call: Manny Ramirez, ‘Pacman’ Jones, Zero Ducks

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First things first: The Dodgers may have lost lost Game 5 in an ugly error-filled way, but let’s look at some of the positives the team gave its fans:

  • Manny Ramirez. What more can be said? What a treat to watch at the plate. Please keep him. Please. Scott Boras? Figure it out. Wasn’t it more fun for you to be at the Dodgers games, sitting there just to the right of home plate, with Manny hitting?
  • Nomar Garciaparra. Dodgers brought you back for us. A local boy grown up to be the game-winning hero so many times over the last three seasons. I’ll miss you if you leave.
  • Russell Martin. Next time you make it to the NLCS, you won’t press so hard at the plate. And you may finally understand why taking days off during the regular season can be so important for a catcher. You see the picture on the cover of The Times’ Sports section? OK, OK. I know you weren’t really sleeping.
  • Rafael Furcal. The fans’ hearts sank when you were injured. Then you came back when we never thought you could, let alone would. We’ve seen what you can in the field, the amazing plays. ‘Nuff said.
  • Jeff Kent. Wow. How you were used here is a crime. I wanted you to start every game in this series. You know how to play second base. And taking you out last night the way they did, it reflects the bad side of the organization, doesn’t it? Or what was going on there anyway? It’s not like Blake DeWitt did any better at the plate. In fact, he killed rallies.
  • Casey Blake. The Dodgers finally have a good third baseman who can consistently hit.
  • Joe Torre. Glad you’re here. Make sure they keep Manny but get your boss to re-sign Derek Lowe and go after Jake Peavy. Wait, i’m still dreaming, aren’t I?
  • Manny Ramirez. It’s worth repeating. Re-sign him. Please. Don’t be cheap. He is the charisma you’ve been lacking for years.

Drinking did it: The Dallas Cowboys’ Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones entered an alcohol treatment facility today on an in-patient basis. The name of the Dallas-area facility was not disclosed. Surprise, surprise. His bad behavior was fueled by alcohol. Some sports-talk hosts are saying this morning how good it is that at least it’s not drugs driving his bad-boy antics. I guess this means they think he has a better chance of returning to the team and staying on the team.

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Spinning their wheels: Organizers have canceled next year’s Tour of Germany cycling race, saying they have been unable to secure financing for the nine-day race. They blamed it on the latest doping cases for scaring away sponsors. Germany’s two main national broadcasters also have decided to give up live coverage of the Tour de France next year. The Tour de France? Why is that still going?

0h and 4: The Ducks lost again last night, and players are at a loss for words. Fewer penalties and a close game that ended 3-2 with 35 shots on goal for the Ducks. Do they miss Sean (now an L.A. King) O’Donnell that much or what?

-- Debbie Goffa

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