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Manny gets warm, unremarkable reception at Dodger Stadium

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It seemed like just another Dodgers game.

Manny Ramirez made his much-anticipated return to Dodger Stadium tonight after his 50-game suspension for violating baseball’s drug policy and received the warm welcome from Dodgers fans that he and many others had anticipated.

With the stadium about half-full as the game began between the Dodgers and Houston Astros, Ramirez -- batting in his customary No. 3 spot in the lineup -- got a loud yet brief ovation as he walked to the plate, with many fans standing as he clapped.

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Ramirez then flied out to right field.

There were no banners or placards either for or against Ramirez, but there were plenty of fans wearing ‘99’ T-shirts and fake dreadlocks in Ramirez’s honor, especially in the ‘Mannywood’ section in the left-field corner of Dodger Stadium.

One of those fans was Robert Huitron, 28, of Fontana, who said ‘it was a surprise’ that Ramirez violated baseball’s performance-enhancing drug policy ‘because you always thought that he was one of the guys that was above that because he has so much natural talent.’

‘But what could you do? No one’s innocent anymore,’ Huitron said. ‘Disappointed, disappointed. You could be a little mad, but at the end of the day you know he’s a great player and he’s going to get us there” to the World Series.

Before the game, Ramirez predicted he would be received with open arms at Chavez Ravine.

“I’m excited,’ Ramirez said as he sat next to Manager Joe Torre in the Dodgers’ dugout and took questions from two dozen reporters. ‘These are the best fans in the world and they’re behind me, so I’m looking forward for this game. I’m ready. I can’t wait.”

Torre, in fact, was holding his normal pregame meeting with reporters when Ramirez came out of the clubhouse and sat next to him.

‘There goes all the attention I get,’ Torre joked.

Ramirez returned from his suspension July 3 in San Diego when the Dodgers began a nine-game road trip. The team went 6-3 on the trip and remained atop the National League West, while Ramirez batted .379 and hit three home runs over that span.

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After reiterating that he wouldn’t discuss his suspension -- ‘That’s in the past,’ he said again -- Ramirez praised his teammates for supporting him during his absence.

“They’re the best teammates that I’ve ever had,’ he said. ‘They backed me up the whole year round, they received me with open arms. That’s why I’m here, and that’s why I love these guys.’

Ramirez also was asked whether he wanted the spotlight from his suspension to fade away. ‘No, actually I like it,’ he said. ‘It makes me want to do better.’

-- Mario Aguirre and Jim Peltz

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