In a sorry season, Jones is sorry for things he said
ST. LOUIS -- Ah, just like the good old days with Kobe taking all the shots, everyone else a bum and the Lakers losing.
Welcome to Manny Mania, Ramirez 12 for 20 overall, another home run, single, two runs batted in, and the Dodgers get beat for the third time in the five games since his arrival.
Manny Ramirez is going to need help if the Dodgers are going to advance, someone with more stuff than Derek Lowe, and dare I mention the possible rejuvenation of Andruw Jones?
Crazy talk, but then something very interesting has happened since Ramirez's arrival -- he appears to be rubbing off on Jones, who finally appears at ease.
"They're stuck together like glue," says Manager Joe Torre, Jones laughing it up with Ramirez and then hitting a monster home run the other night.
Just as surprising, there was a relaxed Jones speaking before Wednesday's game, apologizing to Dodgers fans for things said, and pledging to still win them over.
Opposites attract, of course, so no wonder Ramirez and Jones get along so well. Ramirez can hit, and Jones cannot.
Jones can catch with his Gold Gloves, while Ramirez would make a great DH.
Jones gets booed every time he makes an appearance in Dodger Stadium, while Manny Mania needs less than 72 hours to take root.
"Every day I'm still nervous," Ramirez says, "being part of a different family and trying to fit in."
They're different, all right, Jones probably just as nervous as Ramirez when he came to the Dodgers, but acting aloof and disengaged from the paying customers.
From the start, "I don't care" were his three favorite words. He didn't care what the fans thought, didn't care what anyone had to say -- smirking after each strikeout.
"I wish I could start everything over," Jones says. "I apologize for the things I said about the fans; I didn't mean it the way it sounded.
"I care about playing well for Dodger fans, but now I have to be strong to overcome everything that has happened.
"It's tough mentally every time you go out there and they let you know how they feel, and you look at the scoreboard and see your batting average. I'd like to just go away for a few months, work hard and start over, but I can't do that. I need to do everything I can to still help this team."
